Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-07
Southern Rights in Souh Carolina and
Virginia.

However strongly we may condemn the course
Of South Carolina, itcannot be denied that she is
honest. When she cries out against the Union,
tits idle 10 doubt that she wishes to dissolve it,
But here in Virginia we have very different sort
of agitation to deal with. The actors in it are of
the class to whom Mr.. Clay alludes in his larry
town letter as being more dangerous enemies to
the Union than its open foes. They tell us in &C.
neral terms of the odiousness of the Compromise,
of the ageressons OF the North, of the worthless
ness of the Fugitive act, of the Importance Of
Southern unanmity, but they are afraid, 0hatis
the right word) they are afraid to take ground
for disunion They know that in that position
they will be overwhelmed by the popular con-
demnaon. When questioned on the point Of
their faith, they will assure you that they are the
best friends of the Union, for they would have the
constitution kept nviolate. No pressure of in
terrogation can educe from them confession of
disunionism. They only allow it to be known
that they are terribly dissatisfied with things as
they are but sedulously refrain from declaring
how they wish them 10 be altered. Such mis-
representative ofthe popular sentiment of Virgil
Mia is Senator James M Mason at this moment.
Having reganed his seat in the Senate through
the most solemn assurances that he was for
maintaining the Union with the Compromise, he
now discaims having given any authority for
these pledges, and quietly retains the trust which
was contided to him under misapprehension pro-
duced by misrepresentation. The inference is
unavoidable from his disclaimer, that he IS at
heart what he knows the Legislature of his
State would have repudiated him for being, a
Disunionist. We may not expect any open
aVowal of his Disunionism, but we may safely
presume that he is in full communion and co.ope-
ration with those holder spirits in Washington,
who represent the overt dsaffecton of South Ca
rolina.
We must confess that we have far more res
pect for the unqualified Dsunionism ofthe South
Carollnlans than for the amby PANTY Dis
unionism Of the Virginia malecontents The
former make DO secret of their feelings or their
purposes. They take issue openly on the ques-
ton Of the Union it is and declare that for what
Is already past they want the Confederacy dis
solved. Southern union with them is not a
phrase ofvague import; it means an actual league
for defensive and offensive war. For them the Fe
deral Government has been tried long enough
and they are for rebeng against its authority
Such at least we believe are the sentiments Of
the leading characters, though we have grave
doubts whether they will in the end be sustained
BY the body Of the people.
As an illustration of the wide difference to which
we have referred between the South Carolina anc
the Virginia notions Of "Southern Rights" we
commend to the attention of our readers the fol
lowing extracts from letter Of one of the Sontl
Carolina delegation in Congress, communicated te
the Charleston Mercury by the person to whom
it was addressed:
you ask my opinion about the propriety of your
ascertsinng before you vote Tor members OF the State
Convection soon TO be elected. the sentiments OF the
Caool1aes as 10 the they will pursue in the Con-
VenIion Submission or Secession seems to be the
only alternatives you say, and ask whether you should
Know before The election which alternative they propose
10 take.
As general rule, ] am sure you will agree with
me that on all great questions of policy there ought
oe an entire correspondence oiopinon between people
and Their Representatives Without such, the will of the
people cannot be entorced in fact their
Will be no representatives. This correspondence Of
o1inon can be obtained only by frank and open dealing
between the aud their repr sentative that the
people IN making him their representative know his
opinions, aoi he knows their will.
Now, Is there any good reason why this general
De departed from in the approaching election Of Dele
gaes TO our State Convention
What has oceasoned the call ofthe Convention2
Why, mighty series of wrou gs have been perpetrated
upon South Carolina aud the other Southern States by
the General Government.
ne writer then sums up after the ordinary
fashion, what he cals the wrongs inflicted in the
Compromise bills, and proceeds:
These are the Nrones past and done to redress
or escape from the consequences Of Which, the Con-
sentioa IS called.
"Can there, then, be any Improperly in the Peo.
pies requiring OF those who represent them 10 this
Convention, a snct declaration of the course they
design pursue in the Convention2 The whole casa-
logue Of wrongs ia before them Why should not the
people determine the measure OF redress! And if
they do why should they not know whether their
Representative will put ii into execution have
but one reason assigned, why the Representative
should not be asked his opinion or express his deter
mination and that is, that The Convention may not
meet until year hence.
Tins is very good reason, if the action ofthe Con.
seniion is 10 be dependant upoa wrongs hereafter
be perpera,ed. In that case, certainly, not knowing
the wrongs we cannot answer as to the remedies But
me Convention 70 not called TO act upon specula-
a1T0ngs already inflicted; and whether the Convention
meet one month or twelve months hence it can
be no reason Tor having no determined opinions 20
The which the Convention should pursue or for
refusing TO express them. Time in this instance can
m Ike eangs ~ the policy to be adopted for no
lp' nat Congress before the Convention is
called act will redress the wrongs has inflicted
cannot see, therefore, that the circumstances of The
CONVENTION meeting year hence any ea,ou at all
Why candidate should not as to the remedy he
lntends 10 adopt TOR urongs afreddy inflicted If he
looks 10 future then he is not prepared
act or fAe pdsthe Is prepared TO submit so far the
sorongs 10 redress nhch The Conrenton IS called
ro1ceTHeG II ms Il true, think he should say so
pia,ny But il on the eontraru he ts for efectuaL
yedress-~seeesslon, he ought kkerise TO say So The
people whether the candidate be for submission or Sc
eesslon, ought TO have Their will and determination ex-
ecuted in the election This Convention will se,t,e
their ise as equals Interiors, in the Confederacy-
aod Will bring TO them honor and respect or LASTING in
fanny"
We beg the people of Virginia to weigh well
this counsel of South Carolina representative
10 the people of his own State. Let them mark