The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-09

tions. My conviction was, that
South Carolina occupied q position
from which she could look down8With
the luxury of scorn upon trucking
partizans and trading politicians, who
found 1T convenient to assail her to
subserye their selfish ends. She has
been a stumbling block to many, who,
if they had dared, would have placed
their trcacherous foot auponSher. I
say here, that I had rather encounter
all the hazard Of debate with fifty
Senators, or any. hazards that might
present themselves outside Of her
limits, than differ with q single sin
core friend in this assembly as to any
measure calculated TO affect the dig.
uity, honor, and rights of our cherish
cd Commonwealth.
am persuaded that our difference
Of opinion viii, in the end, be moro
apparent than real. I may we'll
question the policy of o CELEBRITY that
may be too much actuated by gallant
zeal and uncalculating chivalry. If,
with the more prudent resolution Of
Ulysses, perhaps without its wisdom,
! may te disposed to restrain the i'm.
pc.uous courage of Diomede, 1 shall
have none Of the rcsentfnl temper of
Achilles, nor the grumbling censori.
business Of Thirsytcs. No, my coun.
trymen, my heart is too much in
the cause you are engaged ilsto suffer
me to do any thing but what is
prompted by a solemn duty. It's
true that the proceedings of tllis body
will not have the sanction; and au.
taority Of law, bas they VIII carry
with them throughout the State
III the influence, xhioh oloqpcnce,
patriotism and energy can impart.
They will haze committed advocates
70 llla,,,ta;in s,aa. eaisfJnea them.
The address which has been read
contains a recital of imposing truths,
Rrrayed with an eloquent sternness
Which..iqs commanded my aamisatiD9
sisss asss sfsgs ;,s's u
ani tehNEing ssatGient Of wrongs
and impending dangers to Southern
institutions. Other Southern States
cannot condemn it without condem-
ming their own resolutions aud solemn
pledges. Tho paper has Impressed
upon it unmistakable marks Of sin.
ccrity and deliberate purpose. It's
author, or authors, are ready to stand
by it, and make it good in the true
import of the terms, sat every
hazard, and to the last extremity"
BY others, it may be differently re-
garded. Some who will give it their
sanction, may even regard it as the
nucleus Of a State party, to be used
thus far and no farther. l choose to
regard it as solemn beginning, that
may result in an important end, that
will deeply affect the dcstinies and
interests Of this country. And as
my friend from st. Johns has said
on another occasion, GIVE should take
no beginning without looking to its
probable end"
The proceedings contemplated will
require South Carolina to tread her
way through narrow pass as yet
untroddcn and uncxplorcd. Some
arc prepared to tread it with con
fidcnce and boldncss, and to find its
termination by experiment as. Su-
warrow was said to have found his
enemy by the point Of the bayonct.
Others, on the contrary, insist on the
prudence of reconnaissance before the
probable termination shall be in
dicated.
The object of the address is not
only to put the State on the track of
seperate secession, but by the mea-
surcs contemplated to commit the
State, now to that determination; in
other words, it excludes the idea that
the State will have in its power to
adopt any other measure. The leg
islaturc is required, rs far as those
proceedings can impose an obligation,
to call tho Convention together, and
that body then is to put tie State, as
soon as it can, on the trial Of separate
independence.
In relation to this measure, and
others connected with it and which
have been presented as alternatives.
1 have nothing to disguise have
no opinion to rctract, no sentiment
to suppress. / shall at least be COZ.
sistcnt with myself. In setting forth
our wrongs and endcavoring to rouse
sentiments Of resentment to them.
and in preparing the public mind for
measures Of effectual resistance to the
encraachments of the Federal Gov.
ernment on Southern Institutions.
through the breaches Of violated
Constitution, / have ondeavored 10
do my duty to the best Of my ability,
and | liDya M iate,,c ~ sfoHa bort,