Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-10
Substance of the Remarks of
HDN, WILLIAM F. C0LC0CK,

Delivered before the Convention Of Southern
Rirfts Associations, assembled in the Mttt.
tary Hall, Charleston, S. e.. Mcy Z, 1851
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
CONVENTION:
IF stranger should enter this Hall
and see this unusually large assemblagc oi
citizens from all parts of the State, composed
a,it is, in great degree, of her wealth. in.
telligencc, and influence, he would at once
come to the conclusion that some subject fal
beyond the circle of ordinary topics had
brought them together.
A short time since member of one Of
your local Associations rises in his place, and
offers resolution proposing that general
Convention of NIL the Associations in the
State should be held in this city for the pur
pose of consultation and cooperation.
Tn answer to this call, thus unobtrusively
made, and without concert of excitement oi
any kind, find you leaving your homes ut
this busy season of the year, and Mt much
expense and Inconvenience, assembled here
/, to-day to the number Of near 1--WE hundred
delegates.
This must afford to every one the most
convincing proof of the 'earnestness and sin.
ceritv of vour purposes, and Of the deep and
/, absorbing interest of the subject which brings
you together.
lam aware that some of our friends. whose
judgement highly respect, are of opinion
that the action of this body should be con-
fined strictly and solely to the objects and
purposes prescribed in the Constitutions OF
our Associations, and that we should care.
fully abstain from the expression of any oPin-
ions which might have tendency to torestall
the action of the Constitutional Convention
which has been recently elected, and into
whose hands the safety Of the State has been
committed. Whilst am free to confess that
these views may have been urged in the first
instance with much propriety against the call
of this Convention, still must be permitted
to say that it is expecting loo much of apop-
ular assembly like this, under the circumstan-
ces which now surround US, to tread this mar.
row path without touching those great ques-
tions which lie on either side of it, and
which now fill the hearts and minds of our
whole people.
For one, therefore, do not regret that the
questions which are presented by the Report
and Resolutions now before US, have been
presented for our consideration.
regard this rs family council, as 4 meet
ing of friends bound together by the indis-
soluble ties of common destiny, and we
should conduct our deliberations here, and
our discussions hereafter, with that firmness
candor, and good temper, which are due alike
to our own characters, and to the interest OF
our State, for whose welfare know we all
feel an equal and an ardent devotion.
In entering on the discussion of the ques.
tions before us. the first thing that strikes the
mind is the almost entire unanimity of opin.
ion which pervadcs this body, and indeed the
whole State, upon the subject of dissolu.
ton Of our present form of Government.
feel myself justified in saying that it is the
universal, deliberate, and well considered
Judgment of the people of South Carolina
that the Government under which we are
living, as now administered, is destructive Of
their rights, property and safety and that
having no hope of reform, they are under the
solemn obligations Of duty to themselves and
to their children, to seek for security and pro.
lection under some other form of Govern.
ment. Am wrong in this assertion, or do
state the proposition in terms that are toe
strong? If am in error, then it would bt
idle for me to say another word, as this is tht
postu!ate of all the argument expect TO Of
fer, and if it be not true admit in advance
that my conclusions will be false.
If the usurpations of this Government:
its entire departure from its original purpos
and design; if its hostility 10 our institu
tions; if its unjust and unequal administra
tions; in short, if its utter unworthincss o
our confidence and support, are still opeI
questions, or questions for reconsideration
then have nothing to say which is worth
moments attention.
If the people of South Carolina have no
made up their minds on these questions, or
they desire to reverse their judgment, the
let them exercise the privilege which unques
tionably belongs to them rs freemen: judg
now, or reverse their judgment.
1t may be unpleasant, nay, it may be eve
humiliating, to retract opinions long and pub
licly avowed; but it is better, far better, to d
so, than knowingly to persist in error, and t
carry out doubtful opinions into decisive ae
ton. But will not presume for momer
that any such state of feeling exists here, Q
elsewhere; that there is any fuctuation G
opinion among our people on the great que:
tions connected with the continuance Of hi
Government. repeat, then, that having n
hope of reform, we arc al! the avowcd, DELFT