The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-05-16
HON. JOEL r. POINsETT.


meeting Of the Southern Rights Association,
in which the mad views urged by the latter
are commented upon and handled in mas
terly manner. 1t is published in the
Charleston Courier of the 9th inst, and
will no doubt exert powerful inilence IN
arres.ing the attention of the people OF that
State TO tn. imminent dangers and ruin mo
which their secession rulers would plunge
Them. As every movementin Sowh Caro-
lima is now looked to with great interest,"
we subion the closing portloa OF the letter.
After painting IN forcible colors the evils
that would flow from secession by South
Carolina, he concludes as follows:
Notwithstanding, however, the Senator's
repea,ed assurances OF the peaceful acqu'-
esce of the General Government in our go.
cpssion, he adverts occasionally TO the pos
slblilv af our project being opposed, and
in that event proposes 10 Eight hv land and
sea, to fight long; if necessary 10 light ev
erIaslingly!" Now, no wars last forever;
but their consequences are eiiduring, and
for long after years press heavily tpon the
country which may have been their theatre.
As a picture of palmv prosperity to res
suit from our sece sion. has been presented
to our fellow citizens Of Charleston, let me
sketch one much more probable in the
even, of our carrying out that rash and ILL.,
advised measure. Whether the opposition
of our withdrawal comes at once, or is
brought abon, by our interference with the
legitimate commerce OF thr States in the
Union, and the injury such interference
will inlIlct upon the revenue OF the FEEDER .
al Government, cone it must, and that
SCOT. This will be war, says the Senator,
and this is what some Of our hery spirits
most desire; but, 10 wage war BY sea and
and land, we must have ships and men,
and they are not to be maintained except
at great cost-wnr, with maritime nation
like the United States, implies blockade
of our ports and I.arbors. Our trade would
he cut of, a, a moment when we are call
ed upon to pay the greatest amount OF
lakes, to meet the expenses OF our war es.
,ablshment. That trade which is begin
ming TO revive in Charleston, would flow
into other channels, from which il will be
difficult 10 divert it. ] will not dwell upon
the amount Of misery such a consnmma-
lion would occason-of misery. not only
TO the merchant, but to the farmer and me-
chanic. and all who are now fiour'shlng
and prosperous. For South Carolina never
was more prosperous than now; and Tor
what is all This risk to be incurred. Is this
certainty to be cast away, for the dark and
uncertain prospect Of separate independent
State Government-on one that may be bright
in the view Of those who are TO govern US.
to command our armies and fleets, or TO on
ioy the honors and emolumenls OF Office:
but to Us, who will have to paw and TO SUI
fer, |, presents none other than one OF IN
mitigaied misery. For what, ask, is this
terrible and imminent risk to be incurred =!
Is il TO save us from the degradation our
leaders have Imagined. would attend our
following the example Of all the other
Southern States. and the aliectionate coun-
sells of Virginia? Shall we BE- degraded
| and dishonored il we follow the example
of Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland,
Tennessee. Kentucky, Alabama, Louisi-
ana and Virginia. and all our sister slave
States? Surely not. Are we the only hon
orabIe, high minded people among them,
that we are to rush upon certain destruc-
ton, to maintain unimpeacbed. our national
character? South Carolina may well re-
pose upon the example shown her by the
States have cited. Depend upon il, if
we pursue separate course. we shall not
rouse their sympathy; although our suffer-
ing and the priva,ions sure to fellow our
rashnpss may excite their commiseration.
The Senator tells US that. "Safriy and
honor are on one kand. danger and degra
dalion on the other;" and agree with him,
except as to on which hand lie the danger
and degradation. trust you will find no
passion exhibited in this comment on Mr.
RheIl's speech, for it is written more in
sorrow Than in anger, nv vsur obedien
servant, ]. II. POINSETT.
White House, Pee Dee, May 7lh.