The southern press., 1851-05-14
TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1861.
south Carolina.

The report and resolutions are temperate In
language and decided in purpose. Thus the
case is presented for the first time in our history
Of State in favor of secession from the Union.
The people of South Carolina are neither
frivolous tickle, factious nor turbulent. No
State has been more consistent in her politics,
more united in sentiment, more remarkable for
law and for order. The people of South Caro-
lima are neither ignorant nor aggressive 1t
was from South Carolina that the original plan
of the federal Constitution emanated. And she
has always contributed a brilliant quota to the
councils and the fields of the Union. South
Carolina feels no disappointed ambition, nor I'M
successful sectional cupidity. She has never
asked for herself or her section, solitary favor
from the federal government She has had
fewer applicants for federal patronage than per-
haps any other State. She has rejected more
offers of federal honor than perhaps any other
So lately as l845, the most attractive gift in the
federal power-the English mssion-was of
fered successfully to three of her sons-CAL-
HouN, ELMokE, and PIcKENs-and declined by all
IA fact without parallel since the formation
of the Union.
Perhaps the most extraordinary trait in the
course of South Carolina on the pending ques-
ton is the unity, the unanimity of her people
On an occasion SO important, so vital, so new,
her population, property, and intellect, seem to
be in almost perfect harmony. There is almost
no difference of opinion as to the object, the
only question is as to the time, the mode, and
the means.
This is the most solemn and impressive pro-
test that has ever been made against an act of
the federal government. lt.goes to the very
existence Of the system at once.
Now there are some county court lawyers,
and cross-road party politicians, that can settle
this difficulty compendiously. They would
compel South Carolina to obey this government,
and submit to continuance in this Union, I'M
der the pains and penalties of treason. But no
statesman will be found capable of such folly.
Mr.. URKE, who was statesman, and who Ger.
tainly did not lean too much to liberty from
power, declared he did not know how to draw a
bill of indictment against whole people,-and
that it could never be presumed that whole
people could be factious or deluded, in reference
to their own rights and interests.
The course, however, towards South Carolina
begins to be indicated. 1t is to foment division
and enmity among her people. The National
Inielligencer Of yesterday, attempts to excite the
mass of the people Of South Carolina" against
the aristocracy and hereditary wealth of the
State for using q its political power to answer
IL personal ends" Now, when such paper as
the Intelligncer, the chronic organ Of privilege,
of corporation, Of protection, of class, comes
out for the masses against arstoerlc y and he
reditary wealth, what is to be expected next /!
VIII il pronounce for abolition and socialism,
like its co-party friend, the Tribune
But the expedents Of despotism are the same
The court of Austria has long been exciting the
races and sec;s Of Hungary against each other,
10 order to overthrow the constitution Of that
kingdom-Croats against Magyars, Catholics
against Protestants.
It is we'll now for all the Southern States to
consider in time the effect of the influence Of a
central government, in arraying non-slavehold-
ers against shareholders, to put down all defence
of Southern institutions. And it might be as
well 10 consider now, also, the effects Of march
ing federal army into Southern State in such
a contest, when it is obvious what sort Of peo-
ple would volunteer
There is, however, party aspect Of this
question, to which il becomes our duty now TO
refer. The tendency of the events which are
following each other in startling succession, is
20 sectionalize the two great national parties
TO make the North Wing, the South Democratic.
None can lament such tendency more than we,
because the questions now before the country
do not necessarily involve party issues. But
this procliyity was understood by Messrs. STE
PHEss and TooNBs, when, at the beginning Of
the last Congress, they demanded Of the Wings
a pledge toopbstain from slavery agitation,
and on its refusal, withdrew from the Wing
caucus, and refused TO support Mr.. WINTHROP
for the speskersbip.
But Gen. ScoTT is now recognized as n prohi-
nent we may say, the prominent candidate Of
the Wings for the Presidency-haying been
nominated in Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
elsewhere. The Wings Of Kentucky are begin.
ming to take the alarm. The Hon. HUMPHREY
MARSHALL, late member Of Congress from the
Louisville district, has declared bis determine.
ton not TO support him, in any event, without
apledgein favor Of the Fugitive slave law. The
Louisville Journal adopts the same position. On
the other hand, the friends Of Gen. ScoTT in the
North, insist that he shall run like Gen. TAY.
Los, unpledged-and like him, without submit
ting his name to a convention, although he
would accept nomination from one. II this
course should be adopted, Gen. ScorT may, by
his refusal to pledge himself in favor of the
law, and BY his military fame, get the vote OF
every Northern State--or enough Of them TO
elect him. And if that event should occur dur
sno The nandancy of tho d;a.,lt, ,.;fb Go,tb