The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-05-17

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I Il ssgsntion So e,nblsd ssss,saess@.
. Il .tsissiRpi BY providing for 81 5Sk.
Southern CongFG fss
me S6s still looks with anxious ~ = =
ina proceeding We think that ~
cltlzens arolipa have eyinced an
proper ansiety 81 Abe ss appearance Of
arrogance dietsia Fin CONCERT with
the citizens .of the IssSfnstates. and
to do nothiag separate Soi; pitately.
And nov, strongly as we esl,ayssxpfessed our
| belief that there is no hope for tie sontll:in
the existing Union, we are prepared To- Rive
trlal fairly and in good faith, to any efectual
plan which may be proposed by any sister
State, for obtaining redress for the past and
security for the future, without dissolution
OF the existing Union, if there be posi-
blllty OF such n consummation.
but we lind ourselves forced to consider
the ulterior question, what we are to do. if
we fnd that there is no reasonable hope of
cooperation Of any other southern State in
any efectual plan Of relief, and the alterna-
tive is presented to us of submitting or act
ing by ourselves. And dreluctant as we are
TO separate ourselves from our natural friends
and allies, we have made up our minds.
we cannot submit. We cannot submit.
We know that South Carolina entered this
Contederacy AS sovereign and independent
State, and that having been wronged, she
has the perfect right to withdraw from, il.
Her sons must exercise the right and meet
the consequences. If no other State will
join us in relieving ourselves from the wrongs
already inflicted. we see no hope in waiting
for new outrages, to arouse higher spirit
of resistance. The new outrages, we are
well convinced, will come in due time but
we feel no assurance that the spirit of the
vassal will rise in proportion to the indigni-
ties heapcd upon his head. On the contra
ry, We see that the south has already borne
what it would not for moment have sub
mltted to ten years ago, and what the North
would not then have ventured to perpetrate.
We are not willing to try the experiment
how long it will be before our spirit is COM
pletely broken by gradually and continually
yielding to slow and gradual, but unceasing
encroachments. And if the exercise of the
right of secession is to be followed by the
attempt on the part of the Government of
this Confederacy to suIjugate South Carol-
ma, it is better that we should meet that at
tempt while we still have some spirit and
some power of resistance left. If we are to
submit to the conditions of conquered peo-
pie, we think it less dishonorable not to do
so until we have first been conquered. And
if any thing could add to the necessity
which we believe exists for withdrawal
from the present Union, it would be the de-
nial of the right of secession. For the de.
NAL of the right indicates, of ITSELF extreme
danger. The right Of secession has hereto
fore and in better days, been regarded as I'M
questionable, BY all southern politicians with
the exception of an inconsiderable number
OF consoIidationists. And if ever that right
can be denied, without arousing tho whole
south to sustain it, the south will be ripe for
the most miserable fate which has ever be-
fallen any people. 1t will then, as perma-
nent sectional minority, have no defence
against the tyranny of Government com.
bining all the the vices: Of the corruptest
democracy, and the most oppressive foreign
despotism.
we know the consequences which will
follow failure, in our effort TO maintain our
liberty. We see clearly, that triumphant
exertion of the power of the Federal Gov
eminent, in subjugating State, will vastly
increase that power, and greatly accelerate
the change already far advanced, of our
Federative system into consolidated central
dsespotism. Wesee, also, that South Caro-
lima will suffer the consequences of this
change alone, but that the rest of the south
ern States must suffer in an equal degree.
They will have no safeguard against the
Central Government, strengthened by crush-
ing opposition, and rendered by triumphant
force what our Northern enemies have LONG
been endeavoring tosmake it by fraudulent
usurpation, the supreme Government of a
consolidated nation. The sovereignty Of
one southern State cannot be DESTROYED, with
ont the loss of their sovereignty by ali the
others. We are awaresof the responsib;l;tv
ofxsdo'ng an act wiiich.n,ay hasten these cons
sequences. We feel the respect whichsxss
owe TO States having q common INF sst,
threatened by q common danger, not,
equally persuaded with ourselves Of 6Snsg
cessity Of action. And nothing CO.. sisdhcel
US to take, without their concnrreIS xcourse
which d to involve them do III ssauances.,
but thorough conviction a. AEa necessity
which urges us, and pf eue ~ ArYio %, ss
Addressing citisensa athsr1 States
lsassoc;ated 70 maintai Ariobts oftheaostks
sws tAnpo inaags ~ to bs necessasy
TO SAs9sss about & tiies, Siehtssof senfs.i
sion; Va tt69d tbe greas sStatassatft,
IIMith esSsb ara fugstcsy md
Iihcxpxhls 81 bey s6losoed i and yods poai.
litson assures 5 yfoysse hnot bs tIiff.
IIfssent innouf 81 3 of; xan isSistsassdi H q
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