The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1851-05-21
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THE HERCULANEUM OF SECESSION.
For the sssemblsge Of, the chvalry in ,hsi
convention Of Southern Rights Association
which me, at Chsrles.en on Monday last
the Mercury Of that day has dug up-as ere
while used 10 bs done in this Siste with JEFF
fersonisn revelations from the tomb--a iei,el
from MI. Calhoun. apron, % lhs Associai.or
aforesaid. Tho Mercury, sfier certain oh.
servsiions about the purposes which such an
organization is TO accomplish, within and
without the State, introduces the letter with
The following remarks:
We copy below letter from Mr.. Calhoun
never before published which has not f. "
points Of interest. 1t was written in answer
10 an invitation TO be present in Charlesto n
Mapuhic meeting 10 ls47, when it was pro.
posed to give form TO this idea Of Southern
Rights Associations, The meeting did moi,
take place al the time, but Mr.. Calhoun
shows how fully aliv. he vas TO the power
and usefulness Of such combination generally
extended through the South, and acting in
concert. But what mos, impressed US in
this letter, was the prophetic history, record.
ed 10 few brief sentences, Of the subsequent
pretended adjustment OF the slavery question
and tho effects Of that measure upon the
North and South respectively y-causing in
The ono section an increase Of arrogance. bit.
:erness and active aggression; in the other
iorpor Of public sentiment. feeling of fan.
cied security, and a fatal return TO the petty
jealousies. divisions and interests, that form
the tissue Of local politics. The following is
the letter:
FoRr IItL, Sep, 26, is41.
Dsr Sir: regret exceedingly that II wi, not
possibly he in my power 10 meet tho wishes OF the
Executive COMMITTEE. which has associated TO 70.
est agcfessIons upon the property and ri gbts Of tho
.lsv-holding Siates. by attending tho meeting of
tie .siizens Of Charleston. to he held on the 18Th
sfOctohef neIt for consultation TO organize an as
seeiation throo ghont the Southern States and the
adoption of such other measures may be des,ned
necessary for their safety Ny nunc,ou, engage
msn's will fully .neross every nomrni Of leisure in
the short interval between this and my departure
for Washington
I take shs ptsfoundsa interest in the object of
the meeting. | sm nuder deem aud solemn con.
vieton. that the tire has srriv.d whom We
must meet and put down the abolition move.
.
ious events that ever befeli people II has been
too loog delayed. The moyemsnt ought TO hsvs !
been met from the first, with fired determination |
10 put them pown, Al all and every hazard. Our !
perfect .quslhv and right in our property ough, ne.
yer to be questioned, o, disturbed Ths Constitu |
ton. which guarantees them, guarantees their quie,
and undistorbed possession. Such has ever been |
nv opinion aud ifmy counsel had hcen followed !
the evil would have been arrested al the start. Bot
the pas, is past and the question is Wha, shah We
row dol II 10 solemn question. Ny Impression j.
deep II We do not meet and pm, down nhoii 4
lien tHectuaiiv tie opportunity will he lost.
to return. IL is not sufficient TO defeat To Wilmo
Ptovso As insulting ard had as that is. II is hv no
mans the worst and most insulting | regard The I
l'te act Of tho Legislature OF Pennsyv,n. relative
tofngitive slaves and those OF the other slave
holding Stsir, of similar character, more palpable
II possible. violation of iis Constitution and DANCE
fou. in It's effects than even tho Wilmot Provi,o |
70 further and regard the establishment Of socis
lies and presses in the slavehedne States with
the express intention OF questioning and disturbing |
cur riRh, in property over which the Federal Gov.
tfnmen, has no control. and which i'.xpfessly guar
ahteed 10 us by tho constitutional compact as ii
rect breach of faith and violation Of The terms OF the
eomp,e, To defes, the wilmot Proviso and TO
leave these acts and the spif, in which they origi
nate. unressied and in full operation, would, in
my opinion. bc a victory more fatal than defeat a
especially If It's defeat should be by mere compro.
mise. proposed by ourselves, and carried. mainly.
through Congress by our votes. Such result would
he the most disastrous of all II would put MS of
on' guard, without removing, or even dver,ing the
d.nyer
The next question il this. Shall we meet and put
idown Nothing would be more easy. iflhe slave
ho'ding States should agree 10 forget heir wreehed
party sirifes. and to unite for iho pnrpose. The
mere union itself in my opinion, would enable us
In l..s.s i
ample means to compel the non slsvsholdnr States
70 respect our rights 10 the full. aud to fulfil tbs
s,ipuiaiions Of The Constitution in our favor The
mere righ, Of retaliation If they refused, would hc
'fscinal. There more sipula'ions in their fa- ,
yot. and Of vastly greater Importance than in our
favor. Union among ourselves would enable us 10
resort 10 retaliation. h after duo notice they should
refise TO respect those in our favor. But have e
no idea, f once united in fixed resolve 10 &,
pot an end 10 these assaults our rights, that II ,
would he necessary TO resort TO higher measures ,
The power Of resorting TO them. and the certainty
they would he resored TO. II the assaults were not
ds'''sd from and tho measures adopted for the pur
p0ss Of msking them abandoned. Il
Ths great question then s How can we be best
united regard tho proposed Association. which ="
The nesting 10 10 be convened to consult about. as
great and indispensable step hope Twill be ap- d
proved by The meeting and that measures will be
,oopted 10 extend IL throurhou, tho entire savchol
sng States. That and the establishment Of an a =
s and Trustworthy press at tho scat OF the Federal j.
government TO watch interests and rights,
sna 10 warn against approaching dangers. with tho a
examinations TO sink party considerations below n
'"a' relatos 10 our rights and honor wouddo mnch.
very much 10 bring about tho desired union That
''ne. will underarite the rost
With great respect, am yours, Il
J. G.. CALHOUN -
Here We see that Mr. Calhoun thought that {
matters were Ihreo years and half back, Il
W he eve Of something fatal and that instant I
'c'lon was all that could save the South. In
,'"of words, the occasion was, as usual with a
""' crisis-a most momenious crsis-a "