Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-08-06
SOUTH CAROLINA.

Ths Editor of the Wilmington Commercial has
msconceived the tone and object Of our remarks OF
the 23d umo, in relation tc the contemplated action
of South Carolina. 1t is true we said that if South
Carolina should secede she would draw State after
her; and that while her sister slaveholdipg States
would not 60 with her, they would not stand by and
see her coerced and trampled down. But, we added,
we deplore this state of public opinion in that GAL
ant State !; and if our voice could be heard by her
people, and could have any effect, if Eeard, would
appeal to them in the kindest and most afectionate
terms to pause in their course. Their interests
the interests in common of the people Of all the slave
holding States; and the blow which is intended to
strike down South Carolina will not fall upon her
head alone. Her cause is the cause of the South
and her policy s therefore, not to separate her
SELF by her action, from the other slaveholding
States" We penned these words after some reaec-
ton and do not feel disposed to take any of them
back.
The Commercial would have done Us full justice
in the premises, if the Editor had laid article
tire before his readers.
| The Commercial thus sums up what, in tie opn-
ion of the Editor is the position of this paper the
| subject:
"Let US see the position in which the Standard
has placed US. We will 90 for secession at this
time because there is not sufficient cause for such
' acton-we will not resort to what we consider le-
gal remedy-but will involve the South in all the
horrors of civil war, in support of State which
secedes yithout necessity. Mr.. Holden would make
the rest of the Southern States far more sympathetic
than wise just, iuasmuch they would 60 to the
death for sister State, who causelessy leads them
into the disaster.''
Now, we undertake to say that our article of the
23d will not bear any such construction. We have
not at any time encouraged, do We now encourage
the people of South Carolina in the step which, ii
seems, they are determined to take. We have ap-
pealed to them to pause, and to make common cause
with the other States of the South and We have held
out to them the hope. in all sincerity, that the time
was not distant when the ople of the free States
would their aggressons and agitation and wher
harmony and cordialy of feeling would be restored
among all the States of the Republic. We have as
much horror of civil war any man living; but il
civil war should result from the action of South Car
olina, the fault and the blame-the eternal infamy
of the deed will rest with the people of the fret
States. If that State wiN leave the Union, let he
go in peace; if Massachusetts or Vermont, instead
naying the laws of Congress, will take them nselve
off from the common sisterhood, say of them also
let them 60 in peace. We would not fix bayone
nor fire gun to bring them back. This is no gov
ernnent of orce but of common interest and faterna
regard and the first blood which is shed, with tn
view of holding this government together, will b.
but the first step towards its overtnrow-its ever
lasting overthrow, amid scenes of strife and carnag
such as the world has never seen.
We agree with the Commercial that the Southern
States ought to strike efficiently or not at al'' W.
believe these States ought TO acquesce, out of thei
regard to the Union, in the action of the late Con
gress and they can do so, protesting against tha
action, without making themselves parties to meas
nres which have thus far resulted only in injury
them. The compact has not been broken if it shout
De- the Southern States will be at once released from
all their obligations to it, and they then strike
one man for their own salvation and deliverance.
We have thus thrown out few words, in som
haste' by way Of reply to the Commercial. We shal
'ecnr to these matters again at the proper timc w
are determined that position this vital subjec
Snail be correctly understood. The times deman,
mat every one who speaks at all of public affairs
snouid speak plainly and from the bottom of his heart
We have nothing to conceal from our readers, and W.
snail endeavor to keep them advised of the facts a
they may transpire.
An0mas J. Judkins, ESQ.,, the Sheriff of Warre
hoNl