Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-20
SOUTH CAROLINA AND SECESSION.

SOO IL CAhOLlNA AND SECEoSlON.
LETTER FROM JOEL R. PoINsETr.
The following letter written by Hon Joel K
Ponsett, OF South Carolina, in repyto invitation t.
! attend meeting held at G Georgetown, in that State
to forward the scheme ofsecession:-
was much gratifed TO find, by the notice YOU sen
me OF the cali OF public meeting of the voters O
Georgetown, to consider the condition ofour affairs il
regard to the general government that the vigilance
portion of our fellow citizens had at length beer
aroused by the extraordinary acts of our legislature
should have been glad to have heard the explanations
OF our representatives, not only as 10 the ohpc of the
convention, and their for increasne our taxes
but to learn whether they supposed that their consu-
ents when they elected them to make laws to promote
the prosperity of the State intended confer on then
the dangerous power OF Initiating revolutionary move
ment too likely to terminate in lis ruin have every
disposition to do justice to repesen taves and re
greet, therefore, my inability to assist at the meeting
have suffered lately from severe ndsposit ion and am
still too weak to leave my home for any time: unde
other circumstances your kind invitation would have
been promptly accepted, and it would have given me
great pleasure to have taken counsel with those SO
| highly eseem
studied the proceedings of our Legislature, during
Its last session. with earnest solicude; but failed to
lind there reasons explanations for what was propos-
ed to be done. saw only the expression of excited
feelings, passionate dec lamaton and foregone concu
sons III tending to revolution Secession peaceable or
orcible; in conjunction with other States or aone
in short, fixed determination to hurry the State into
the fearful position it occupies And what are the
causes assigned tor measures calculated to alter the
foundations OF our government and the des nies OF our
people Not the admission OF California for that is
'Ja't accomph" California is become State, and no
act OF ours can drive her out OF tine Union. She is
however sovereigniStae free to follow the dictates
OF her own interests and may introduce slaves to work
her mines II she thinks proper SO to do You all
must recolect the history of the debate which occurred
IN the Legislature OF the State of Illinois; Immediately
after its admission into the Union. 1t was free State
under the compromise, but act passed by both
| houses to introduce slaves and would have become
/ law intervention (n6Vprnr Co1os
vetoed the bill. But does any suppose, if the CHI
zens OF Illinois had mature reflection decided it to
be Tor their future interest that slavery should be intro
duced into that State, the opposition of the Governor
could have prevented it! Surely not. 1t was with
them and will BIO forever, and everywhere purely
question OF interest Slavery will be introduced wher.
ever slave labor can be profitaby employed whether
that be in California, Utah or New Mexico and will
be extinguished where slaves become burhen as was
the case in the Northern States before they were enlan
cipated there
: Nor can the arran cement entered into between
Texas and the General Government be regarded as
affordng any color for these Texas the par
ty most concerned, accepted the offers of government
with unexampled unanlmty; and on that account, we
nave no longer any cause OF complaint. The suppress
sion OF the slave market in Washington furnishes no
excuse Tor violence 1t was purely municipal regu-
lauon, not uncaled Tor by the circumstances Are We
then, about to commence revolutionary movement,
because we apprehend aggression? This would GER
| tamly be most unheard OF proceeding But we are
told revolution is contemplated South Carolina in
conjunction with other slave States, or alone. merely
intends peaceably to secede from the Union.
have looked in vain tor any section of this right
by the early expounders Of our constitution. 1t was
advocated, indeed, advanced by none, and expressly
repudiated by the wisest and best of the statesmen OF
that epoch. Such doctrine would have defeated the
end and aim OF the constitution, which to form
more perfect and permanent union than existed under
| the old federation. 1t seems to me preposterous to
suppose single Stale to possess unconstitutional right
to secede from the Union whenever may think proper
| to do so, without regard to the injury such an act
| nfllct Mat he ole nd
considered maxim OF common law applies to States as
we'll as to ind iduals. "Sc utere tue ut non ale
mum lGdas." Make use OF what is your in such
manner as not TO nlure another. AS well might it
| be commended that man has right to set fire to his
own house, because he is dissatisfied with it. If he
were so ill advised, however, as TO exercise this abstract
right over his own property, in the midst OF city, he
would be regarded as yiolator of the law, and be
consigned to punishment Tor the crimesot arson and
what comparison is there in the degree of crime be-
tween the confagraton Of the most oppuent city in the
universe and the overthrow Of this great republic the
scat of freedom, the hope itlie world the foundation
of our strength and safety?
But our legislators evidently did not regard secession
as likely to be acqueSced in by The other States,
perfectly peaceable measure; the contrary they
appropriated half million of dollars in order to over
come the opposition they expected 10 encounter and,
with rare caution, commenced to raise the in
manner not to alarm fears before the fatal step is
taken, and the State engaged in war. They too in
| elligen not to be aware that ten times the amount
raised for 1851 will be required in 1882 should the war;
like and revolutionary measures contemplated be car
red into effect.
As the people generally may not be acquainted with
the subject, and ought not to be ignorant to what
amount the taxes must be increased order to carry
out the engagement which will probably be entered in
to, in their name, by their representatives, will state
very briefly the cost OF the armies, naves, Notifications
and ornaments OF the United States The cost of the
regular forces $500 man. per annum that of volun
teers about three times that amount.
will say nothing here of the difference in the eff
cheney OF these two descriptions OF force, nor of the
disparity in their morality.
Thecost OF an armed vessel may be stated at 81, $50
gum the lowest cost Its wear and tear is estimated at
81 per cent per annum This calcu lston does not
cude the expenses OF the to sail and fight her.
| The building and equipment OF war steamers is much
more costly. They carry fewer and much heavier guns.
First rate steamers cost about $4,000 gum exclusive
of the expenses OF the 1T would be a ifightul
error suppose that the steamers to be built for the d.
rect trade with Enrope would PROVE lit armed, capable
of contending with the steamers Of the United
| States
The cost OF Notifications cannot be stated with preci-
son so much depends upon local circumstances but may
be estimated, including armament, at $500 gun,
elusive OF the expenses OF the garrison, and Cost OF re-
| pairs.
With these data you will find the cost of maintain
ing the minimum force necessary to present show oil
resistance will exceed 600 600 the first year, and go
m increasing the resources OF the State diminish
| from the withdraw OF many olher hardy sons from
| tlling the soil.
| The amount set down as the minimum ofour expen.
ses in time OF revolution will have 10 be raised by d.
rect taxation or loans negotiated at home for be as
sured that the slave States which place themselves in
hostility TO the general men will lose all credit
abroad 1t is the guaranty gwen by the cons tuition to
this description of property and the well known power
# the general government to redeem that guaranty,
that has given them the credit they have hitherto enjoy
ed; could South Carolina calculate upon receiving
anything from duties on imports for they would be
levied by the general government, and any attempt to
increase them for the purpose OF supporting the State,
would drive the trade the neighboing ports OF Nor
Carolina and Georgia. Indeed, it is to be unprecedented
that the annoyance of being brought under the guns Of
vessel of war, aud kepthere until the duties paid
might alone have that effect.
There one error which speakers and writers APP