The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-09
. Gou a,,p o.,r glatlbe Nsseu., !,


3 I'M IL ID .Hs
question. Whilst measures were
under consideration, in which the
5slaveholding and non-slayeholding
States we're at issue, / expressed
myself freely, but with the circum-
spection of one who was willing to let
his remarks be carried out to their
consequences. The representatives
ef4the planting States spoke out with
signal unanimity the resolutions
of three different Legislatures.
I am proud to say, that the
resolutions Of South Carolina,
compared with some others, wcro in
terms moderate, in tone firm, and in
purpose deliberate. All these reso-
lutions were regarded as mutual
pledges and covenants for tho South.
.ern States ITO make common GAUGE.
and TO stand by each other. The
Southern members conferred togeth-
,er, and at one time would have been
prepared to sink or swim in COM
mon struggle, and their destinies as
involYedin O common fate. For
time the minds of all true men of
the South, were lifted above the mis-.
era5le contentious Of party and the
jealousies of neighboring strife.
Under the influence Of this suspicious
state Of Things, | finished one of my
speeches with q high note from the
Diomede of the old Thirteen-our
neishbor Georgia t Equality or In.
dependence" And say now, if
the Southern States had become
united, they would have made good
this declaration. They have it in
their power to make it good at any
fine: and they viii hcrDtruc to them.
selves and ppaterity if they DO
not. Ialali shrink from TO tsiBi :'sat
may be cffectual, and shall only OBJ.
.ect to such measures, as, in my op.-
'aifoar, 4iRIs. result in failure aud dis
com6turc. If measures cannet be
fevised---as [ Ibelieyo they cannot
torcstore lost equalit tg---an equality
slass hs, Stforssll
willing ~ t&ske smeasures 'pr.an hon
oraE.s independence Of such States
as by their conjunction can assume
the attitude, and invest themselves
with the attributes of q national sov-
creignty.
As this is grave conclusion, or
one that will SO be regarded beyond
this meeting, l must submit the pro-
position upon which it is founded.
The constitution of these States
was intended by its express and dele
gated powers to impose limitations
on the department Of the Federal
Government. For some years these
limitations were observed in good
faith; and after it was said that some
Of them had been violated; it was
thought that the States, by the inter.
position Of their sovercignties, could
cnfoicc ON observance Of them.
The securities of good faith have long
since disappeared, and the power Of
the States to intcrpose to protect
their reserved rights has not and will
not be recognized by tho Federal au.
thority. All the provisions Of the
Constitution intended for the protec-
ton Of minority have been peryer-
tod by artful construction, or fraudu.
lent compromise: under these com.
promises: under these combined inhu-
cnces the Southern States have not
only lost their influence, but will
become worse than dependent pro
vinccs. They will become proscri.
bed political communities disrran-
chised from the high honors of the
Federal Government, and with their
property and institutions liablo tc
conGscation and unprovokcd invasion.
Tho Southern States can no longer
DC the nurse OF great statesman.
The ambition of the eagles flight will
be no longer secn-wo may have
crows and ducklings who will be
ready to he satisfied with the crumbs
and garbage Of Office. There arc
those who will be willing to make an
easy transition to degradation, by
bcng candidates for the secondary
and subordinate Offices. Suppose
there were provision in tho Consti-
tuition, that no man from tho South
Atlantic States, should bo eligible to
tho Presidency, it would not change
the present state of things. Such
clause might as well be in the Con
stltution for all practical purposes.
10 conclude the proposition, the
Federal Government has become
despotism of an interested majority.
You will ask why hayc not the other
Southern States been ready to join
South Carolina cr rotbnr to cn,,,n