The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-10


| C.P. Cassin, w. j. Wightman,
w. p Delph, j. W. Stokes,
G. Williams. Charles Hammond,
Joseph Heightower, DIR. A. J. Creighton,
| NJ. w. Coleman, VIM. Lanliam'
w. c. Brewley, Joseph Morris,
f. GaIlaher, a. Burnside,
! II. A. Kendrick, NJ. Radio,
r. J. Buckmaster, Robert Anderson.
The committee having retired, the Hon. w.
A. Owens, of Barnwell, was invited to address
the meeting, on the prominent questions ot the
day, which he did for upwards OF an hour IN
strain of patriotic eloquence, and lrresistloie
arguments in opposition to the policy OF separate
secession on the part of South Carolina, and me
action of the Southern Rights Convention he'u
in Charleston in April last. The remarks OF
Colonel Owens were responded to in such
manner as to Indicate very clearly that the peo-
ple are not disposed to risk the dangerous SON
SEQUENCES of separate State secession, under
existing circumstances We deem it unneces-
sarv to comment further on this mastery effort
| of Col. Owens, ms we expect copy Tor pub'ica-
tom suffice it to say, that, in all respects, he
echoed the sentiments of the people. Al the
conclusion of Col. O.'s remarks, the committee
of thirty returned, and, through MIR. Z. r. Cas-
sin. submitted the following Gamble and reso-
lutions for the consideration OF the meeting:
PREAMBLE AND REsoLuTIoNs.--A crisis has
arrived in our affairs in which it behooves every
citizen of the State without concealment to dis.
cover his political sentiments. The action OF
the last legislature convokng constitutional
convention of the people, the election of dele
| gates to that body, whose province it will be to
decide finally or the action which the State
must take in re moving, palliating, or redressing
the grievances imposed on the South by the
legislation or Congress in the passage OF the so
called compromise measures, ard the contempiat-
ed assembling of that body early in the next
wear, presents issues Of the gravest import for
the contemplation of every citizen we nd
hoped that no proceedings would be taken IN our
State to forestal or control the flnal determine
ton of the constitutional convention and that the
delegates elect would be left entirely free and
untrammeled to act in accordance with the pros
pects and circumstances surrounding them
when assembled But the late convention of
the Southern r ghts Associations in Charleston,
as also the tone Of the public press, seems to in
dictate extraordinary and unexamped unanlmity
throuphout the State in favor of the separate
and early accession of South Carolina, either
with or without cooperation, and as we are
we'll satisfied that there is a serious division
among the people upon this subject, we con-
ceive It to be sacred duty we owe to our
selves. our country and posterty, TO place our
opnions upon record, and if by our counses or
example we aan aid in saving the State from en-
tering upon the dangerous hazards OF separate
action, without any prospect OF cooperation or
| sympathy from our Southern sisters, we shall
feel that we have discharged solemn duty and
done the State some service And we are the
more SOLICITORS that moderate and prudent
counsels should prevail, because it is inevitable
that the Southern States are destined, at an early
period. to become one grand confederacy of in
dependent States, without the necessity of forcing
an issue upon them which they regard a, prema-
ture and unwise at this particular juncture, and
calculated to defeat the great measure we seek
to carry out.
We arc not the suppo tiers or apologsts of the
compromises We think that the South has
been deeply wronged by the adoption of these
odious measures We are not for acquiescipg in
them, nor do we oppose separate secession for
any such end We are for resisting them by
any and every practical mode which has been or
NAV be devised, but we believe that no efficient
redress can be obtained without the co-opera-
ton of other slave States, whose interests are
now and whose destiny in every respect must
ultima civ be the same as ours. We expect
mos. confidently to obtain cooperation. not only
in concurrence of the aggressions of the past
|
over the North in the daily preparation of new
ou,rapes We have confidence in the patriotism
of our brethren of the other Southern States,
and as they are high-minded spirited people,
no reasonable fear need be entertained that they
will sink down in tame and willing acquiescence
in the wrongs of the past, or idle and indifferent
spectators of the outrages of the present, and
the prospects of shame and humiliation in the
future. We merely state Our opinions without
entering into discussion fully of the reasons
which bring us TO the conclusion that under
existing circumstances, South Carolina cannot.
with wisdom or prudence, secede from the federal
Union. But when the prospects for co-opera-
ton briphten-when other Southern States will
give assurance of their readiness to dissolve
their union with the Northern States, our hearts
will leap and our voices join in hearty amen
to the joyfnl tidings.
/. Be IL therefore resolred, That whilst we are
in favor of resistance to the late unjust and obi
Gus Legislation of Congress- known as the CON-
promise measures, in the most efficient FORM we
are opposed TO the separate secession OF South
i Carolina rs being inefficient and utterly i ade-
quate, ms a remedy for past wrongs or securi-
~ against more threatening dangers in the fu-
ture.
! 9. Resolred, That the cooperation Of other
States in the South, having with us a common
origin, institutions, and destiny, is indispensable
to the perpetuation Of African slavery, and that
all honorable means should be used by South
Carolina to produce unity, concert, and harmony
with other Southern States in any organized
plan of resistance to the encroachmepts of the
federal government
+ g. RESOLVED, That the final determination OF
this question by the State convention AFTER lite
adjournment should be submitted to tho people
of this State for approval or disapi rova, at the
ballot box.
d. Reso1ped, That the destiny of South Caro-
lima is our destiny, and that we will use all the
means placed in our power to avert the evil o.
separate secession Mt this time, and a reckless
dissolution of the ties that unite us with oul
brethren of the South, whose origin. interests
and destiny are inseparably linked with ours.
The preamble and resolutions having beer
, moved for adoption, w. w. Boyce, esq, o
Fairfield district, was called for, who arose, ant
at some length entertained the meeting witt