The southern press., 1851-05-03

Washington. The debt for the war and purchas
of California, should be debited exclusively I,
the free States, since they have appropriated TIL
whole Of il to themselves. AT all events, W,
will honestly and fairly meet any proposition L
adjust any pecuniary liabilities our Withdrawn
from the Union may involve. But war cancels
all obligations. If they choose it, we must ex
cept of it. But repeat do not believe thai
war Of any kind will follow as consequence
of our secession from the Union, because wal
cannot prevent it, and will only lead to wider
disruption Of the Union. 1t will be far easier
indeed, in my opinion, to get out of the Union,
than to keep out Of it. You see the movement
already made in Virginia to keep US from going
out of the Union. Such movements will be
multiplied after we are out of 1t to induce our
return. Missions from our sister Southern
States concessions with lavish professions OF
regard from the Northern States--abotion
covering for the while--slavery agitation sup
pressed in Congressional and internal improve
ment apparently abandoned-in short everything
will be done to conciliate the Southern States,
and keep them from going with US out of the
Union. In the meantime our separation from
the Union will be made as harrassing as posi-
BILE by the operations Of the general government,
to foster discomfort in South Carolina, and de-
feat the advantages which will naturally arise
from our separation. This will be our real time
of trial. To hold on firmly to our purpose, of
an entire redress for the past and security for
the future, or to keep out of the Union forever,
will task all our fortitude and energy.
Let them offer TO US the Constitution Of the
United States, with that equality of rights and
privileges all its spirit breathes; equality in Con-
gress, where the disparaging and insulting agi-
tation of the subject Of slavery shall no more
enter forever; equality in taxation, without dis
ordinations in favor Of one pursuit of industry
at the expense of another; equality in the ex.
pendturs Of the taxes, by limiting appropria-
tons to the objects expressly specified in the
Constitution; equality in our territories, at least
as far as thirty-six degrees thirty minutes North
latitude can bestow it--from our Indian terri
tories to the Pacific ocean--let them offer to US
these, and all of these, secured to us by new and
distinct guarantees in the Constitution, and we
will listen to invitations to return into the Union
To all else we should turn deaf but respect
ful ear. These are now ours, by right, under
the Constitution Of the United States. The free
States have despoiled US of them. If they wish
such a Union as the Constitution establishes
and their faith pledged them to observe, they
can have it, if they will propose it. Any other
it would be insult to offer. Voluntarily to 90
back into degrading inferiority and bondage, will
be more infamous than to have endured II under
the stealthy usurpations of the Northern States.
Disunion, and disunion forever, or all our rights
should be our fixed and unalterable determine
ton.
Fear is very unreasonable passion-often
the more unreasonable when there is least to
apprehend. We have alarmists from fear of
war; but as the prospect of war disappears, we
have greater alarmsts for fear of peace. To
the imaginations of some, nothing is so terrible
as to be unmolested-to be let alone by the
general government. II it fights us, this a ter.
ror by no means to be encountered but then
we will have company. But not to fight US is
still greater terror. 1t is to leave us alone,
company; and what mortal man can face
such catastrophe Why, gentlemen, have
thought that laissez nous fdire"-Cet us alone)
was the grand principle of free trade, for which
we have been contending for the last thirty |
years. / have thought that to be let alone was |
the grand principle of all free government. JUS
tice from without, against the aggressions or
wrongs Of foreign nations-justice within, be.
tween man and man-prevenlion merely this is |
the righteous and limited aim of all free govern.
me / As to all else, let US alone What have
we been asking. as to all tn great measures of
aggression, which have at length rendered the
general government no longer endurable to free
men. but +" let ms alone" Let us alone on the
tariff Let rs alo6e on internal improvements
Let US alone as to the currency. Let us alone
with respect TO our institution Of slavery
Keep to the simple purpose Of prevention, for
which you were created, and protect us against
foreign nations. Such have been our demands
They were not needed, and we cast off tyranny
which, like the frogs of Egypt, has come up into
our houses, and our bed chambers, and tie
houses Of our servants. And now, shall we fear
being rid of il! Shall we tremble at being let
alone! Are we afraid Of ourselves, or are
incapable Of ruling ourselves? If so, II is sheer
nonsense to aspire TO liberty or independence
Let us submit at once, without murmurs, and
without efforts for deverance, to be the colonies
we are in reality. Blot out the proud motto
from our arms; and let our flag, once free, never
more greet the sun. IL our enemies think
proper, let them lay In waste thousand miles
around us. Let them make South Carolina an
island on the confinement off forever from all
sympathy or association with any other State In
the Union Who will suffer most by this policy
To reach u.s. the dagger must pass through
Others. The great world Of commerce Is before
ns, over the broad Atlantic. We can live, and
il we can live free, il IL enough. Better any
fate than the slow, torturing death which awaits
us 10 submission. If orr neighboring States
choose this death, and think proper to let the
general government stop up the channels Of
their commerce with US, let them do II. If they
have not had enough Of It's interference in their
AFFAIRS they take II still nearer home to their
business and bosoms, although tainted with abo-
litonism itself But believe in the prevalence
Of no such policy. South Carolina in the heart
e the South, cannot be permanently isolated
from them in policy, a. she cannot be in inter-
ests and institutions. The general government
may make some spasnodc efforts 10 produce
this result; but IL we stand still and firm, they
will fail, as the passions Of the present give way
before the mighty tide Of interests which must
sweep the South together.
But secession win not only bring us isolation
In the South, but heavy burdens in the personal
military services we must render, and increased
taxes we must pay. We are TO live in military
boots, with KNAPP s1cks on our backs, and have
costly foreign embassies, and standing army
and navy to support.
n il not for freemen 10 count tho cost Of