The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-05-14

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cncroachrnents. And if the exercise Of the
right Of secession is 10 be followed by tho
attempt on the part Of the Government OF |
this Confcdcracy to snbjugaie South Caro-
lira, il is better that we should meet that |
attempt while we still have some spirit and |
some power OF resistance left. Ii VIC arc to |
submit to the conditions of conquered |
Jeoplc, we think it less dishonourabIe not
to do SO until we have first been conquered. |
And if any thing could add 10 the necessity |
which we believe exists for withdrawal
from the present Union, it would be the de-
| nial Of tho right of secession. For the de- |
NAL Of that right indicates, of itself, ex-
trene danger The right of secession has
heretofore and in better days. been regarded
as unqucs,ionablc. by all Southern poiti-
clans with the exception of an inconsistent
bic number Of consolidation,sts. And if
ever that right can be denied without
arousng the whole South TO sustain it, the
South will be ripe for the most miserable
fate which has ever bcfallcn any people,
1t will then, as a permanent sectional minor
| ity, have no defence against the tyranny Of
n Government combining all the vices of
the corruptest democracy, and the most op-
prcssive foreign dcspotsm.
We know the consequences which will
follow failure. in our effort to maintain our
liberty. We sec clearly, that a triumph
ant eXcr,ion OF the power OF Tho Federal
Government. in subjngating State, Will
vastly increase that power. and greatly ac-
cclcratc the change already far advanced,
OF our Fcdnrativc system into consolida-
ted reutral despoiisin We sec, niso, that
South. Carolina will TO, suffer the consc-
lucnccs Of this change alone, but that the
rest oi the Southern States must suffer in
an equal degree. They will have no safe
guard :..aInst the central Government,
strengthened by crushing opposition, and
rendered by triumphant force what our
Northern enemies have long been cndcav-
oring to mako i; by fraudulent usurPat!cn,
the supreme Government ut a consolidated
nation Tho sovereignty Of one Southern
State carnot he destroyed, without the
, loss OF their sovereignty by all the others.
We are aware Of the responsibility of do
ing an act which may hastcn these consc-
uuenccs We feel the respect which we
, oyvc 10 S,ntcs having common interest,
threatened hv a common danger, but not
equally persuaded with ourselves Of the ne
; ccssi,y OF action. And nothing could induce
, us 10 take, without their concurrence, 4
, course which is TO involve them in its con-
! sequences, h,i, thorough conviction OF
the necessity which urges us, and OF our
right TO do so.
Addressing citizens OF Southern States
associated To maintan the rights Of the
., South, we cannot imagine it To he ncccssl-
= rv 10 argue about tho right of secession.
= We hold il To bc the great Stale right,
), without which MI others arc nuga,ory and
. incapable OF being enforced; and your posi-
: ton assures us that your faith cannot he
: different from ours. Nor can VIC regard it
rs necessary. any further, to discuss the
: wronna which have been inflicted on the
!. Southern States. They may be denied by
!, !, those who shut their eyes to them; but you
= do not belong to that class. Southern and
=" State Rights men may differ rs 10 the nc
;, ccssi,y OF exercising the right Of secession
u nj particular time, on account Of these
wrongs; hui. as certainly as Tho rEh, exists
!, each State must possess the right of jut!g-
!" ing for herself, Us 10 tho occasion and time
/. for It's exercise. ,fSonth Carolina decides
! that honor and SAFETY squire herto sfSede
peacenDiy hnU yTi'hoG F:e. 'lssTa1It
!, act Of secession IS not permitted TO be peace.
:. ao'l, !, will be- from nsprra,ion OF power by
:, tho Federal Government. not from The na.
:, turc Of the act pcrforne.! by Souli Carroll.
: ma. Accustomed, "a We have been, to vio-
:. la,ions OF tic Constitution, and the rights
:, o! the Southern States by the Federal Gov
:. crnment, wc have To look forward 10 the
:, probability OF another outrage hy that Go :
. crnmcn' IN the attempt 10 force the State
:. 10 remain in the Union. We supnnsc the
|, attempt will he made if the other Southern
. States permit il. These States mus; de-
" eide for themselves whether they will per-
! mi, ii. South, Carolina must decide for
;, herself whether il is necessary to aeccde.
, Her sister States of the South will have no
II 7:nh, to complain ,hn, she forces them into
: a position. where they must either ntcrrnsc
: to proven, her sOhj"ga,lon, or by consent
: ng TO il, abandon Their uwn sovereignty.
= and lay themselves Il; the mercy Of n des-
: po,ic power IN seeding South Carolina
. vii! simply do an act which all Southern
. men, who believe in tho existence OF State
Rights AT all, must admit that she ..as :,
perfect right 10 do, aud which she regards
: rs absolutely nctcssary She will he act
: ing OF her sacred right, She Will he act.
ting as she would have 10 act if none o! The
other Southern States were in existence,
| and she were the only object of aggression
; hv the Northern States and the Federal
Government. She is not anSwcralilc for
the usurplti0ns and injustice which NAV
be committed against her. And for III,
sister States ot The South 10 nsk OF her to
|
; she regards as Indispensable for scllprcs-
cryatiUn. would be an Interference with
her Tree action of a TAR different character
| from amy with which she can be charrcd
towards them. Sovrrrigns are equals. In
, seeding a!ouc, South Carolina would be
placing her SISTER States ot the South under
no CONSTANT. II they should find them
selves ~ position u, restraint, II would
! come IRON the action pi the Federal Gov.
, crHmcnt, II oI South Carolina But II
they should insist on her rciraning from
the exercise oi her right. and submitting to
a condition winch she regards as in,oorahlc.
they would make themselves parties with
the Federal Government in placing an
, unjus'iiahlc restraint upon sovereign
ANA an equal.
We wish that ,hr necessity for separate
acton by South Carolina which we have
contemplated may he avcrtcd. We con-
c IN The gallant spirits whom we address.
! Ihnr,p ,,H,. hn snntn Innn NJ tl, oScnn,kii,,r