The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-25

ny at home il matter Of no moment. To these IL
may appear thing not worth caring for, whether
the movement Of tbs State u sustained by Cheves,
and Barnwell. and Butler. and the seventeen other
delegates from Charleston; for they al stand in
the category of the unpledged, who moan 70 b.
guided by circumstances. Seven Of our Judiciary
delegates; these all, believe, are similarly
situated, and in this position will be found IN my
opinion, most Of those throughout the State, WHOSE
names have been longest associated in the public
mind, with the Of Southern Rights. Are
all these of account? Are they "to be whistled
down the wind'' without thought? Can II be
that man in earnest-men who at heart desire to
the experiment Of resistance actually made,
willing unnecessarily, to force into opposition
many Of the tried patriots Of the Slater can un-
derstaud how, party move, where spoils were
the object. it might be wise policy in political
aspirants to kill of competitors by means like
these, but for the delivcrance OF minority from
the oppression Of numbers, should think that the
utmost practical unanimity was 70 be desired
among those engaged in the hazardous under
| taking.
One would suppose, too, that the despair Of CO.
operation abroad would increase the necessity for
cooperation in our own State. II Il the vocation
Of paper occupying the position Of that just estab
the advocates Of resistance; but the Classification
objected to- the tendency Of which il cut of very
many, against their will, from the movement
party of the State, did not originate in that quarter.
The use now made of it, trust, may prove warn
ing to all who really wish the cause Of re-
distance. xf{ ase' 81
In division like this. should have to ask, like
Mr.. Webster, "Where am 10 goi'' have ever
proclaimed that any thing better than ultimate
submission. And, further, have always believed
that whenever decisive action Is takens it must be-
gin with single State; and still nearer the mark,
have strongly inclined 10 tho opinion that South
Carolina was destined to make that Beginning.
But before Ishould pronounce upon the time and The
occasion AZ fit tobegn, would look well to the con-
dtion of things, without and within. The time and
occasion, in my opinion, have not yet been, GER
tainly are not now Whether they will be when
the convention assemblies would at present scarce
venture to form opinion. far less to express one,
though am not on this point altogether without
hope. Ae e&4 SIS fs3 ,sat4Ni
No one can have a frmer or more abiding faith
than have in the right of State to withdraw from
the Union, with or without cause but, define a.
we may, to get rid of the General Government Il
practically revolution; and revolutions are seldom
effected by drawing bills at ninety days or year
after date. A much bettcr illustration of what
than the counting house. Success depends on
striking while the iron is hot.
Had South Carolina herself been ready--as ready
| as hope she may be eighteen months hence-the
admission of California, and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
Texas, might have furnished the occasion, but the
time should have bean simultaneous with the COM
mission of the acts. My policy would be this:
To teach that disunion was = thing certain In
the FUTURE to direct, in contemplation OF this All
the energies of our people, first to preparation for
physical contest, result not improbable, but which
becomes less probable the more prepare to meet
it; and next. to develop all resources, and
cut off far practicable all intercourse with the
offending States. This done, to hold ourselves ready
to move, upon the first occasion Of general Torment
in the South; which, my life upon it, will occur full
soon and, in the meanwhile to cultivate tho kndest
relations, and to keep up industriously, and with
system the closest intercourse with sister States
of the South. Southern Rights Associations might
be made greatly auxiliary; and there arc other,
means of extended organization which, to DO made
effective, should not be discussed. Az 10 the matter
of preparation to defend ourselves against force,
do not, by this suggestion, mean to cast doubt
upon our right to secede pcaceably; but let it DO
remembered that if rights were regarded by those
with whom we have to deal, there would be no
need ofsecession at all. We are threatened on all
hands; Webster, Clay, Cas-. the President, the
majority of Congress, the northern and northwest
ern press, all pronounce It flat rebellion. II mat
tiers not what secession may be in fact If those who
control the purse and the sword choose to consider
it rebellion. Il il true that acknowledged revolu-
ton is sometimes boodless. Witness that memo
rabe one, next to own, the most familiar to W
Of all others, the revolution of 1858. But this re-
volution perhaps owed its peaceful character In
great part to the we'll appointed army OF $4,000
| ked me nd he well .kuou d;ro~.