The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-24

addressing the Greenvile people, to have omit
ted Mr.. Memmingsr, who was certainly quite
a. moderate In hin views, AS those selected by
the editor. to illustrate the supposed reactlon.
But, Messn Editors, the matter to which
most desired 10 speak is the classification by the
GreenvilIe editor Il wish it were peculiar to
him) OF men actively engaged in the cause OF
Southern resistance, into the friends and oPpo.
nents Of Secession" separate State action"
or as he elsewhere calls it " State secession"
For one, enter against it my solemn protest
As a classification, it is not based on distinctive
differences, it is inaccurate and loose. "Seces-
sion," that is dsunlon, is the remedy proposed
by ALL And State secession" and separate
state action" as a right, is admitted by al ana
there is no one of the individuals named by the
Greenville paper, who does not hold, that clrcum-
stances may arise, and time may come, when
the exercise Of this right, on the part OF South
Carolina would be wise and expedient. The
difference then practically is this, that while
some undertake, a year in advance, to pro-
nounce that the time and circumstances will have
arrived whenever the convention meets, others
do not profess to understand futurity 80 we'll,
and hold themselves open to begulded by events.
Is it wise to seperate such men rs these from
the supposed majority! 1t Is true, that there
are some in the State, who think that South
Carolina is so alI-sut6cient in herself, that cir
cumstances beyond her own borders are I'M
worthy to be considered at all and these, per-
haps, may also think that harmony at home is a
matter of no moment. To these it may appear
a thing not worth caring for, whether the move
ment Of the State is sustained by Cheyes, and
Barnwel, and Butler and the seventeen other
delegates from Charleston; for they all stand in
the category of the unpledged, who mean to be
guided by circumstances. Seven of our judi
ciary are 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 as
soeiated, in the public mind, with the cause OF
Southern rights. Are all these Of no account
Are they "to be whistled down the wind" with
out a thought! Can it be that men in earnest
men who at heart desire to see the expert.
ment of resistance actually made, are willing
unnecessarily, to force into opposition so many
of the tried patriots Of the State. ] can under.
stand how, as party move, where spols were
the object, it might be wise policy in political
aspirants to kill off competitors by means like
these, but for the deliverance of minority from
| the oppression of numbers, should think that
the utmost practicable unanimity was to be de-
sired among those engaged in the hazardous un.
dertaking.
| Ouc WOulu SuppOot, LOO, tIIdI LIlc u0SpdlT Ol
cooperation abroad would increase the necessity
for cooperation in our own State. II is the vo-
cation of paper occupying the position Of that
just established in Greenvile, to foment differ
ences among the advocates of resistance; but
the classification objected to, the tendency Of
which is to cut off 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 warning to all who
really wish success to the cause of resistance.
In a division like this, | should have to ask,
like MIR. Webster: "Where am to go" | have
ever proclaimed that anything was better than
ultimate submission. And further have al
ways believed that whenever decisive action is
taken, it must begin with a single State; and
still nearer the mark, I have strongly inclined to
the opinion that South Carolina was destined to
make that beginning. But before should pro-
nounce upon the time and the occasion as fit to
| begin, / would look well to the condition of
things without and within. The time and oc-
casion, 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 an opinion, far less to
express one, though am not on this point alto
gether without hope.
| No one can have firmer or more abiding
i.iibu tituI VIC VI OCdtc W WHILE
draw from the Union, with or without cause
but refine as we may, to get rid of the general
government is practically revolution, and revou-
tons are seldom effected by drawing bills at
ninety days or one year after date. A much
better illustration of what ought to be, can be
drawn from the smiths shop 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 dismem-
berment of Texas, might have furnished the oc-
casion, but the time should have been smulta-
neous with the commission of the acts NV
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 con-
test, result not improbable, but which becomes
less probable the more we prepare to meet it
and next, to develope all our own resource, and
cut of, az far MS practicable all interco rse with
the offending States This done, to hold our
selves ready to move upon the first occasion of
general ferment in the South; which, my life
upon it, will occur full soon; and in the mean
while, to cultivate the kindest relations, and to
keep up industriously, and with system, the
closest intercourse with our sister States of the
oOuul. CoulHtTu Myths hSSOclAtlOuS nl1nL De
made greatly auxiliary; and there are other
means of extended organization which, to be
made effective, should not be discussed As to
the matter of preparation to defend ourselves
against force, | do not, by this suggestion, mean
to east doubt upon our right to secede peace
aby but let it be remembered that it rights
we're regarded by those with whom we have to
deal, there would be no need of secession Mt all
We are threatened on all hands. Webster CLAW |
Cass, the President, the majority of Congress,
the Northern and Northwestern pr 50, all pro- |
nounce it fat rebellion. 1t matters not what
secession may be in fact, if those who control
the purse and the sword choose to consider il |
rebellion. II is true that acknowledged revou-
ton is sometimes bloodess Witness that
memorable one, next to our own the most "a
niar to of all others, the revolution of 1888 |
But this revolution perhaps, owed its peaceful
character in great part to the well appointed
1rmy of $4,000 picked men, and The well known
readiness of the Prince Of Orange to make use
of the ultima ratio regup,.
And now Messrs Editors, I must conclude