The southern press., 1851-09-03

when We would, with one accord agree upon d.
nn'toly determined action 20 preserve our honor
a"d secu' our rights; but Ia this, lament to mp
Prshend, We are, to so'ne extent destined TO dis
appointment | say lament, because | feel and
believe that nothing can be 80 deirlment | 10
the high position the State might occupy, as
division amongst her sons, and | know nothing
Is 80 much desired by our enemies, who AFRO
gantly threaten To force as into submission, even
united, AS We oug't { To be, and who know that
divided aud distracted am ing ourselves, we can
much more easily be made TO wear the ignomini-
Gus chains they are forging for US The single
difficulty which seems in the way Of that harmo
ny 40 much desired in the State is. as To our
fIna action ia case all reasonable efforts TO OBJ
tain the cooperation of one or more Of our sister
States should fail for ! hope there are few who
do not desire in some way TO resist the eDorm-
Gus injustice aud insult perpetrated against US
by federal legislation. Indeed, 1t would seem
To me there can be none who do not see and feel
that the government to which we have right
TO look tor that equality, as well as protection OF
our feelings and rights to tieh we are entitled,
has, long since, been perverted into an engine
of gross injustice as we'll as perpetual insult to
our feelings, yet present the strange anomaly
of people clinging to an association in which
IN all time to come, we cannot only have no et-
fective power, but in which we have people max
| ing laws for our government, who differ with MS
| in sentiment, in character, and in morals, whose
legislation is but system OF plunder insult aud
ruin TO us, and who themselves constitute the
only enemies we have on earth, from them alone
we apprehend all the danger to our rights and
peace, calculated to disturb our property or quiet
BY geographical lines they vote our degradation
and rnin, and when we complain, they hold up
Washington's Farewell Address, and gravely
warn US against geographical dissensions.
have tho warmest personal regard for, as
well as the most Unlimited confidence in the
integrity and patriotism of many gentlemen in
this State who are opposed to the secession
of the State alone, after all reasonable efforts to
obtain the cooperation of other States shall
have failed. Yet, in view of all their arguments
with the acts and indications of the federal
government before me, can but believe that
duty, honor, wisdom and patriotism, demand
that we should exiricate ourselves, if none will
go with US, from all connection with govern
ment and people who manilesty intend our
ruin.
1t would be idle for me, within the limit of
letter to attempt the various reasons which have
brought my mind to this conclusion. 1t is
enough for me, as almost all admit that in our
present Union nothing but disgrace and ruin
await us.
| have not the slightest doubt we have the
right to wi hdraw that portion of our sovereign.
ty which was committed to a federal agency,
| from an arrogant federal depotism. Without
that right we would be in the most deporable
condition of which the human mind can con-
ceive, bound to a fanatical foe, avowedly bent
on the destruction Of our very subsistence
with no protection beyond the limit of their
cupidity and ianatcism.
| would rejoice as much at the cooperation
of other Southern States any, one and would
make as many sacrifices TO procure it, as it
seeus to me any one ought, but never q the
sacrifice of submission" and although could
/ not mpugn the motives of gentlemen HON
believe to be actuated solely by what they be.
| lieve for the best interests Of the States, yet
with all Difference to them do'think that those
who would hold the Stale back from ultimate
secession, assume upon themselves grave and
most serious responsibility. If we have the
right to secede, shall we, after we have ex-
hausted all reasonable efforts for co-operaion
be deferred from it, and cover before the arro-
CANT threat of force. and calmly await our des
truction!
am free to admit there is no great prospect
at present, that any other Southern State as a
State will secede with US, have witnessed the
astonishing division which took place in our
ranks, at Washington, during the discussion and
passage Of the batch of aggressive measures of
the last Congress-. witnessed in two days the
change of forty-six votes majority in the House
of Representatives, against the inIquitous Texas
boundary bill, to ten majority in its favor, with
out new argument or particle of addit onal
evidence to direct the Judgment of those who
changed, and we all know that every Southern
member who voted for that measure returned
| home to their constituents and told them that
no wrong had been done, and strange amaga
mation of old parties, perhaps never before
equalled in this country are now doing battle
under the name of national Union party
From none of these need we look for co-opera-
ton, and il remains to be seen how long they
may rule the action of their States. Yet should
South Carolina find herself compelled 10 exer
else her sovereignty alone, and an abolition fed
eral power would attempt force against her, we
will have a sympathy deeper and firmer than that
Of professional politicians, from those who seek
no federal honors, whose honor and rights will
inseparaby be involved with ours, whose bosoms
will burn, and whose hands will be raised with
ours, if need be, in hurting back the arrogance of
abolition powers. Well do our enemies know
this and that drop of Southern blood once
spilled by the minions of Northern fanaticism,
would knde flame that never would be extin
gulshed within the present Union. | AIN no pro-
phet but have never believed that, in the
event of secession, force will be employed
against MS should it be, the North will exercise
far less sagacity than | am free TO give them
credit for in all that appertains TO their interest
Force would certainly end in civil war; and
rupture of the Union so valuable to them, so de
structve to us.
| know, however, there is great difference
of opinion on this subject and that too, amongst
some of the most distinguished of those in the
State now called co-operationists and sm
free to admit, that power is arrogant, and that
may be mistaken, but should | be, and force
will be attempted now, when can we look for.
ward to time when II will not or when shall
we be better prepared TO meetit!
Foreign population Is settling In the hireling
States to the number Of some half million an
nually, and every one Of them are ready TO Join
in the crusade against us, whilst we are increas
ing in number, comparatively, slowly. If we
can only exercise the sovereign right of seces-
sion 1T the month of the cannon now, when can
| hat h,,d dala