Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-13

before the APPROACHING presidential campaign is open
ed she nevef will 81 all. The time for this election Us
rapidly coming upon us and, IT, in the present position
OF parties III lhis Stale, this and colluptng ee-
meat of dlscord once admitted, are doomed TO
the most ignoble submission, and children Jus-
fed IN heaplng curses upon their saVlsh slTes.
There are several very important points pre-
scented in this exposition of a prominent Seces-
sionist, which it will be we'll to note. First, the
power of the co.States to take cognisance through
TIE General Government the agent they choose
to retain to manage their relations with one an
other and with foreign powers) of the secession
of South Carolina, is fatty denied. 1t surely
behoves US to inquire whether this doctrine of
Mr.. Bryan's is right. Then we are informed
that, before the States can take any action to
prevent the secession. theysmust meet in Con-
vent1on to amend the federal constitution, and
thus empower the General Government to act
for them, and such Convention, it is predicted
would result in dissolution of the Union. The
question: therefore, comes home to US, whether an
amendment of the constitution is necessary to
enable Congress to suppress anattempt by sin
gle State to absolys herself from the obligations
of the federal compact. And it is especially
proper that the candidates who wish to represent
Virginia districts in the next Congress, should
distinctly explain themselves on these points.
The resolutions of the St Johns Colleton peoples
are in strict keeping with Mr. Bryan's suggestions
Weinsert some of them
Resolved That as eve can do nothing for the re.
dress of our wrongs as long remsin in this Un-
ion, we advocate secession as the only alternative
having failed ; that it is reserved right
lD0eDendence
and from the nature OF the federal compact, with no
right o! question by any power EARTH and look
70 it the by which shall at the very least
become, under Divine Providence the arbiters OF our
own destiny and shall preserve selErespect
and dignity people and State.
Resolved, That the allegiance of the citizens of
Carolina due to her alone in her sovereign capacity
and while we have the utmost federation for and re-
cognze as brethren OF our common mother all of Out
fellow citizens, who may differ from to the expe-
dency OF any measure adopted by the State, we will
hold those enemies to her who shall deny her right
to their allegiance, shall refuse when she calls to
obey.
Resolved, That in Convention OF the people Of
South Carolina, called according to Constitutional
forms, is vested the sovereign authority OF the State
that the Convention called by the Legislature IT'D
last session, is such body and that the Legislature
is bound in the opinion of this meeting at its next ses
sion, to tx an early day tor the assembling of the Con-
venon.
Resolved, That the smalIness of tho vote for mem.
bers OF the Convention, does not in degree, mpal
Its authority, indicate the opposition OF the people
its assemblage those who absented themselves from the
polls doing on their own responsibility that,
que the contrary respecting a body constitutonay
called, and elected after legal notice duly published, is
radicaism OF the worst kind, and tends the destruc-
ton OF all well ordered government that, in any case,
censure this head does not justly fall on secession
| lists. but on those who, leading the latter by their
speeches and writings believe that they were of that
party, (bU have since declared themselves for coop
GRAFTON only, deprecang that ssue,) and induced the
people of the State think that no practical differ
| ence OF opinion ex sted between candidates.
| The reader will perceive in these resolves,
| conclusive evidence that the Secessionists are
| disposed to avail themselves of the accidental
majority they have in the State Convention. to
take the rash step of secession, although ma.
jority of the people may be known to oppose it.
Such an experiment might be expected to raise a
STERN in South Carolina itself, but it is impossible
to say how her people may not, from longIhabit,
| be carried in submitting to the dictates Of a
| few leaders.