The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-14

s'ouon 10 dllthd q NEE lag held al Geoige-
Town, In that State, to forward the scheme of Sc
cessi0n;-
was much eratitied to fad. by the notice you
sent me az the call of public meeting of the vo.
ters OF Georgetown, to consider the condition OF
our affairs in regard to the general government,
that the vigilance of portion OF our fellow citi-
zens had al length been aroused ny the exlraordi-
nary acts OF our Legislature. should have been
glad 10 have heard the explanations OF our repre-
eentatives, not only TO the object OF the conEen
on, and their reasons for Increasing our or!
10 learn whether they supposed that their con
stituents, when they elected them to make laws to
promote the prosperity of the state, nteaded 10
confer on ,nepl the dangerous power OF Initiating
a revolutionary movement too likely TO terminate
IN It's ruin have every disposition TO 90 justice
10 our representatives, and regret, therefore. nay
inability to assist at the meeting. have suffered
lately from severe indisposition, and am still too
weak to leave my home for any time; under other
rcumstances, your kind Invitation would have
been promptly accepted, and il would have given
me great pleasure to have taken counsel with
those SO highly esteem.
l studied the proceedings of ours Legislature, du.
ring Its last session, with earnest 5olcitude but
failed 10 find there, reasons or explanations for
what was proposed 10 be done | saw only the
expression of excited feelings, passions ate declama-
tion and foregone conclusions, all ,en1ng to revo-
luton, secession, peaceabe or forcible; IN con-
junction with other States or alone; in short, a
fixed determination to hurry the State into the
fearful position II now occupies. And what are
the causes assigned for measures calculated to al
ter the foundations of our and the des-
TIMES Of our people! Not the admission OF Cali
fornia, for that is .fdtt accompft" California IS
become Stale, and no act OF ours can drive her
out of The Union She is, however, sovereign
State. free 10 follow the dictates of her own inter-
csts, and may introduce slaves TO work her mines
If she thinks proper so to do. You all must recol-
lect the history Of the debate whoa occurred in
the Legislature of the State OF Illinois, immediate
ly after Its admission INTO the Union. II was
free State under the compromise; but an act was
passed by both houses, 10 introduce slaves, and
would have become a law but for the Intervention
Ex-Governor Coles. He vetoed the bill. But does
any one suppose, il the citizens Of illinois had, on
maturer ree ctOn decided il to be for their future
interest that slavery should be introduced into that
State, the opposition of the Governor could have
prevented II! Surely not II was with them and
will be forever. and everywhere, purely question
of interest. Slavery will be introduced wherever
slave labor can be profitably employed, whether
that be in California, Utah. or New Mexico, and
will be extinguished where slaves become a bar
then, was the case In the Northern States before
they were emancipated there.
Nor can the arrangement entered into between
Texas and the general government be regarded as
afiording any color for these measures Iexas.
the parry most concerned, accepted the offers of
government with unexampled unanimity; and on
that account we have no longer any cause Of CON-
plant. The suppression Of the slave market in
Washington furnishes no excuse tor violence. Ii
was purely municipal regu ition, not uncalled for
by the circumstances. Are we, then, about to
commence a revolutionary movement because we
apprehend aggression Thus would certainly be
revolution is contemplated. South Carolina, in
conjunction with other slave States, or alone,
merely int nds to secede from the aion.
have looked In vain for any section OF this
right by the early expounders of our constitution.
1t was advocated, indeed, advanced by none, and
expressly repudiated by the wsest and best OF the
statesmen Of that epoch Such doctrine would
have defeattd the end and aim of the constitution,
which was to form more perfect and permanent
union than existed under the old confederation.
II seems TO me preposterous to suppose single
State 10 possess constitutional right to sscede
from the Union whenever il may think proper 10
do SO, without regard 10 the injury such an act
might iLliict upon the other States. The old and
well considered maxim OF common law applies TO
States as we'll to individuals. =" Sic ,eter, ,uo
Vt ~on ofiernuni tGdos" Make use of what 10
your own in such manner as not TO inj ure ano-
Their. As we'll might IL be contended that man
has a right TO set fire 10 his own house, because
however as 10 exercise this abstract right over his
own properly, in the midst OF city, he would be
regarded as q volator OF the law, and b. consigned
10 punishment for the crime Ut arson and VIVA!
comparison - there IN the degree Of crime between
the coaflsgration of the most opuent city in tn
universe, and the overthrow Of this great republic
the seat ot freedom, the hope of The world, the
foundation of our strength and safety
But our legislators evidently did not regard Sc
cession as likely 20 be acquIesced IN by the othe
states, or perfectly peaceable measure; on ths
contrary, they appropriated half million Of dol
ssrs IN order To overcome the opposition they ex.
pected 10 encounter, and. with rare caution, COM
meDced TO false the taxes ia manner not to alarm
our frsrs before the fatal step is taken, and the
Sta e engaged in war. They are too intelligent
moi 10 he aware that ten times he amount rdiscd
for le5l will be required in 1902, should the war
like and re rolnuonary measures contemplated be
carried iBIO effect.
As the people generally may not be acquainted
with the subject, and ought not 10 b. ignorant 20
what amount the taxes must De increased, in order
10 Gerry out the engagement which WI probibiy
be entered into, IN their name. by taeir rspresen-
fatives, ! will state very briefly the cost OF the
armies raves, Notifications and ornaments OF the
United Slaes. The cost of the regular forces is
500 M IN, per aanum; that OF volunteers about
three times that amount.
will say nothing here OF the difference in the
efficiency these two descriptions Of force, nor of
the disparit! in their mortality,
$3.50 gun, the lowest COST its wear and tear is
estimated at 81 per cent per annum. This calcu.
tation does not include the expenses OF the crew TO
sail and fight her The building and equipment OF
war steamers is much more costly. They carry
fewer ana much heavier guns. First rate steamers
cost about 800 900 gun, exclusive OF the expenses
of the crew. Ii would be a frlghtfa error TO sup
pose that The steamers 10 be built for the direct
trade With Europe weuld prove. If armed, capable
Of contending with the war steamers Of the I nited
States.
The cost Of lortEcations canno, be stated with
precision, so much depends upon local circum-
stances; out may be estimated, includog arma-
mon, al 50 800 gun, exclusive OF the expenses Of
the garrison, and cost Of repairs.
With ihese data you will iind the cost Of main
tanning the minimum force necessary TO present
show OF resistance will exceed 50 600 COO the Il ut
year. and 40 on increasing as the resources Of the
State diminish, from the Withdrawal OF 90 many of
her hardy sons from filling the soil.
The amount set down as the mnlmu m of our
exTerses ia tine ~ revolution viii have to be
raised by diieot taxation, or loans negotiated at
home; for be assured, III At the slave States which
place themseiyes in hostility to the general govern
nsnt will lo.e all credit abroad. LIS the guaranty
given ~ the constitution to this description of pro-
perty. sus he well known power Of the general
yoyesuGits to redeem that guaranty that has given
Them The credit they have hitherto enjoycd nor
coulG South Carolina calculate upon receiving any.
thirg from dutie- on imports, for they would be
levied by the general government, and any attemp'
70 inoteese item Tor the purpose Of supporting the
porte Of North Carolina and Cieorpia Indeed IL
IA 10 be aunre LeI led thai the annn of heinz