The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-07-09

1
} government of any other State, shall South
Carolina secede alonea
The first measure, being that of my op-
ponents, have carefully endeavored to state
with accuracy and precision: justice and
fair dealing demand this in every controver-
81. In one like the present, should de-
spise myself were capable Of doing other
wise.
1t may be urged that have put the first
branch of the question in too strong terms
"Shall South Carolina abandon her prepare
tons, &c.;;" for it may be said, she might
continue her preparations, even though she
determines to wait for cooperation. To
this 1 reply that it is vain-utterly vain
to expect the people to submit to the present
extraordinary rate of taxation, If their mon
ey is not wanted for immediate purposes
IT, therefore, we decide to wait, we must Ger.
tainly abandon our present preparations"
will now proceed to examine this propo
sition with the attention due to its impor-
tance, and the respect due to those who nd
yocate it. I admit, without hesitation, that
conjoint action on the part of two or more
States, if it could be procured, is preferable
to separate action on the part of any one
State.
But distinctly declare it as my deliber-
ate Judgment, that cooperation cannot be
obtained in the manner proposed, in our day
and generation. 1t is Intended to adjourn
the issue to distinct future-to beoueath it
to our childreng Surely not. Then we are
to do the work ourselves, and it is with this
understanding that shall proceed to give
my reasons for the opinion now 80 conf
dently express on the subject of co-opsra-
ton. -.
1t is admitted on all sides, that at present
there is no hope of cooperation by any
State, on account Of the past aggressions of
the Government, with the exception of Mis-
sissippi; and as her Convention is to meet
in November next, her position will be de-
fined previously to the meeting of our Con
vention. ~
The governments of sll the other States
have thus far, under tl.eissues yet made, de-
clined to adopt any measures of resistance,
10 the future, then, wssmust look for events
to bring about co-opefation. The Compro-
mise has failed to do 70. If We wait then
| for new issues to pTodfsss cooperation, DC
we not agree to submit TO the past, and to
abandon the issue Of thesC esCompromise as
case for present resistancs4 Will this not
involve wide departure fem our past de-
clarationsa Will it not be taking, not only
one, but many steps backwardsi Candidly
and sincerely think 50. But let this pass
let the objection be gotten round. do
not think it is met by saying-"Wefdo not
submit to the Compromise; we only bide
our time" Let us go on and see what the
future has in store for us.
1t is argued that cooperation will certain
ly be brought about by future aggressions; !;
that the anti-slavery party in Congress will
commit some open, fragrant, palpable viola
ton of the rights of the slave States some
thing, / presume, Of course, worse than has
already been done, which will unite these
States in determination to withdraw from
the Union, and establish Southern Confed-
eracy.
/ cannot concur in this view. To my
mind, all the probabilities are against US.
The aggressions, you observe, are to come
from Congress, from the Government. They
must be palpable, Hagrant, invasions of your
rights, committed under the forms of law,
Is it meant that they must be clearly uncon-
stitutiolal, and such as the Supreme Court
/ will 30 pronounce9 But will not hold our
friends to this admission. Let us say, in
4 general terms, that the measures will be of
such a character 80 according to all reason
able pfesumptions, win unite the South in
Withdrawing from the Union.
Let US now inquire what are the proba-
bihtSes that such Insasnres will be adopted
BY Congress in our day. 9@
4 On looking over the whole Geld of contro-
} versy, in which we are at present engaged,
can see no measures o., the character re-
ferred to- which Congress could adopt except