Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-12
THE TIMES, TERMS
Ultimate rs, Immediate Disalnion.

Recurring to Senator Buffers letter to the
Edgefield meeting, to which we have heretofore
but briefly referred we think it contains some
suggestions worthy to arrest the attention of our
readers. They will be found in the following ex-
tracts:
No one who looks at the ceitantes of the past. and
the tendencies of the future but most regard the crisis
in which we are involved with anxious concern and
solicitude.
A large proportion OF Southern representatives. and
several State Legislatures by solemn resolutions, have
declared that Southern institutions not safe in the
hands of the present Federal Government They have
received many stabs under the deceptive masks OF
compromises and party organizations to look Tor u-
ture security Another question has presented itselfor
consideration-woul the non-savehoIding States by
adequate amendment OF the Constitution, give ad.
ditiona or any guarantees tor the protection of South
rights and sectional equality. The manner in
which Mr.. Calhouns intmatons to prepare an amend
ment of the Constitution received 10 Congress is
pregnant commentary on this new subject
MIR. Calhoun commenced his last speech with the
follow ing passage:
II have Senators, believed from the first that the agi
tatiou of the subject ossvery would il not prevented
by timely and effective eud in dsunion.
Entertaining this opinion, have, on all proper
sons endeavored to call the attention Of both of the
two great parties which divide the country to adopt
measure to prevent so great disaster but with
out The agitation has been permitted to pro-
coed with almost attempt to resist it, until it has
reached period when it can be longer disguised or
denied that the Union is in danger. You have thus
had forced upon you the greatest and graves question
that under your consideration
can the Union be preserved?
The mode of securing the Union as indicated by
that experienced statesman, met with nothing but the
denuncation of an impatient majority.
What alternative then is left to the Southern States
Nothing but the province of taking care of themselves
How is that to lie DONE l answer, by the formation
OF an adequate Government, such Government as
could invest itself with the powers and discharge the
duties OF political sovereignty among the nations of
the earth; boundless in resources commercial agricul.
ural, and manufacturing, with and inelli.
gent population, with Statesmen of wisdom and ex-
pcrience, and with model of the best Constitution
that devised the Southern States have all
the elements of great Political Commonwealth
Some think that South Carolina, by separate secession
could exclusively assume the position of an ample GOV.
eminent for all the purposes of national existence -
There are comparatively very few who would act on
such an opinion. 1t would be to sever the State not
alone from the Northern States, but from Southern
allies and associates, and in its operation would certain
ly require great and destructive sacrifices To sneak
OF no other it would require the sacrifice of the only
great Sea Port City OF the State. What Statesman
could give such advice under such juncture of affairs
exist at the presen time +? -,
Those who are for South Carolina moving alone,
have suppose objects beyond her separate existence
How aud when she is move requires the profoundes
judgment that ever has been exerted on her desinies
AS distinguished Georgian has remarked. "South
Carohna mas taken proud positions but she should not
SO occupy 1t as 10 exclude others from occupyipp il
with her. The Southern people are beginning to see
their true condition Issues have been made and are
now pending IN Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia,
That were never distinctly presented BEFORE and as
tany as writing, these issues will come 10 uda-
ment, they will be forced to Judgment The next Pre-.
sldental contest will leave many OF the great political
aspirans OF the South stranded AT the ne session of
Congress- Southern Representatives who have been 90
hopeful will have as much insult their s,omachs can
bear. -t5o. Il. Ell, Z
What was the state ofpublic feeling among the peo.
pie three years agoa what will be three years hence
under the certain tendency of events? under the di.
vine night OF usupation and sanctions of blind ma
Joriy the conviction will be forced the people OF
the South that they must take common coupsels TO
avert common dangers. The attempt to force other
Southern States to follow our lead would be danger
ours experiment, and in my opinion would result in
failure and in disaster. One move by South Csro;na
Is TO bring about hopeless isolation or civil war 7
hope it viii not be regarded egotism in me- when |
say that l have more tirmness in crisis, than
boldness to make one. When South Carolina does
move she must be prepared for the consequences;
shall help herr 5sf-
| believe that the great State Rights cause and priu
epies are stronger IN the Southern States than they
have ever been There is less jealousy between neigh
boring states than formerly, when federal preierments
gave character to party God hath Joined South Ca
rolina and Georgia together, and let man or men
nut them asunder! Those who sow the seed of dscord
between them have much to answer for before the tr-
huna oftheir common history Georgia has had the
destines OF the South in her hands-se will have states.
men who VIII see her interests and will pursue hem-
There is spirit in that state that would animate any
Commonwealth on earth. The river on which YOU
deliberate is nominal boundary but real bond of
Union between the states.
Gentlemen, in your resolutions be calm and firm
The salient point of Judge Buffers views on
the subject of secession is the expectation he holds
ont to his fel'owCaroinians that fthey desist from
the measure now, the cotton States of the South
will ultimately be prepared to dissolve the Union
with them In support of this prediction, he re-
in,
pl. Alabama and Georgia, that were never presen-
Ted before" What these issues are ought to ap-
pear from the public papers of those States, but it
happens that Southern rights" are very diversely
understood therein. One issue in Judge Buffers
eye is evidently an amendment of the Federal
constitution, as first demanded by Mr. Calhoun.
and this is said to be required as one of General
Qulfman's conditions of Mississippi's adhering to
the Union. But. in Georgia. the late eSoutbern
Rights" Convention at Milledgevie did not hint
at any such thing as an amendment to the cons,;.
tuition, and even declined to require the modifica-
ton OF the Compr omlse. In Alabama. the extre-
mists, led on by The redoubtabe Mr.. Yancev i,
what they called a Convention of Southern Rights
Associations, which met at Montgomery in Feb
ruary,'espoused very fully the policy relied upon
by Judge Butler, and declared the question of the
secession of Alabama from this Government is
reduced TO that of time only" But since this Con-
vention adopted its resolves, Mr.. Yancey has been
SO well admonished of the contrary temper of
public sentiment that he has declined to stand for
an election to Congress.
From all the backing and filing now to be OBJ
served amongst those who hold themselves to be
OF the so-called Southern Rights" party. and
etdiscountenance the secession of any one State,
il is easily to be discerned that their readiness for
extreme resorts measures itself very accurately
by their perceptions of public opinion. In our
own State, they have almost disappeared from the
political horizon, and, where they are to be found