Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-10

cal position, arising from stevents, rendered certain
reserve on their part prudent aud proper, have stud-
ousv avoided every thing which might look like assum.
ing the lead in the defence OF Southern rights They
desired 10 aet because they believed that safety and
honor required aeton but they hoped that they might
find leaders in other States whom they might follow 10
defence OF the common cause When the ancient COM
monweah OF Virginia, the proper leader of the South,
declared her determination 10 resist at all hazards and
10 the last extremity hostile then threatened,
South Carolina with ali aacrty stood ready to support
Virginia, IN carrying out her high resolution When
Georgia. whsse former resistance to Federal usurpaton
under her heroic statesman Troupe, gave promise OF
unnnehng frmnesS, IN any conquest IN which she migh
engage proclaimed her determination TO make stand
for the rights OF the South South Carolina reolced at
the prospect of rayiug under the banner OF Georgia
And when her Young and gallant sister, Mississippi,
proposed the wise measure OF Southern Convention,
Tor the purpose OF endeavoring to unite the Southern
States 10 maintaining their Constitutional rights, and
at the same tme preserving, II possible, the existing
Uoion South Carolina heartily entered into this mea-
sure aud she has carried out the recommendation Of
the Convention assembled at the instance of Mssis
sipp, by providing for the election OF Delegates TO
Southern Con gress to whose meeting she still looks
with anxious Interest.
In all these proceedings think that the citizens of
South Cstolina have eynced all proper anxiety to
avoid the appearance OF arrogance dlcatlon, to
iG concert with the citizens OF the other Southern
States, and TO do nothing separately precptatey.-
Aud now, strongly as we have expressed our belief
that there is hope for the South IN the existing
Union, are prepared to give trial, fairly and in
good faith, to any etiectua plan which may be pro-
posed by sister Stale of the South Tor obtaining re-
dress or the past and security for the future, without
dissolution of the existing Union, il there be posi-
blllty Of such eonsummaon.
But find ourselves forced to consider the Interior
question, what are to do, it we ind that there is no
reasonable hope OF the co operation of any other South
ern State in any etiectua plan OF relief and the alena
tive is presented to US OF submitting or acting by our
selves. And reluctant as TO separate ourselves
from natural friends and allies, we have made up
our minds. We cannot submit We know that South
Carolina entered this Contederacy sovereign and
independent State, and that having been wronged she
has the perfect right TO withdraw from II. Her sons
must exercise the right and meet the consequences Ii
other State will join US in relieving Ives from
the wrongs already inflicted we no hope in waiting
ornew ourages 10 arouse higher spirit OF resistance
The new outrages, are well convinced, will come in
due time; but feel assurance that the spirit of the
yassal will rise in proportion to the lndlgutes heaped
upon his head. On the contrary, that the South
has already borne what would not tor moment have
submitted to ten years ago. and what the North would
not then have venured to perpetrate. We not will
ling to try the experiment how long will be before
spirit is completely broken by gradually and continual
y yielding to slow and gradual but unceasng encroac
ments And the exercise OF the right of secession is
to be followed by the attempt the part of the Co
of this Contederaey subugate South Caro-
iina it is better that we should meet that attempt while
we still have some spirit and some power OF resistance
e 1t we to submit to the condition OF conquered
people, think it less dishonorable do until
we have hrst been conquered And il any thing could
add to the necessity which we believe exists tor with
drawatrom the existing Union it would be the denial
of the right OF secession For the denial of that right
indicates ofselt, extreme danger The right fseces-
sion has heretofore and in better days. been regarded
uuquestionabe, by all Southern politicians with the ex
ceptlon of an inconslderabe number of consolidation
lists. And if ever that right can be denied without
arousng the whole South to sustain it, the South will
be ripe for the most miserable fate which has be-
fallen any people, 1t will then, permanent Sec
tonal minority have defence against the tyranny of
aGovenment combining all the vices of the corruptest
democracy, and the most oppressive foreign despot-
ism. -
We know the consequences which will follow a fail
ure, in our effort to maintain liberty. We clear
y that triumphant exertion of the power of the Fed
eral Government, in subugang State, will vastly in
crease that power and greatly accelerate the change al
ready tar advanced, of our Federaye system into
consolidated, central depotism. We see also, that
South Carolina will not suffer the consequences of this
change alone but that the of the Southern
must suffer in an equal degree. They will have no
safeguard against the Central Government, strength
ened by crushing opposition and rendered by triumph
ant force what our Northern enemies have long been
endeavorng 10 make it by fraudulent usurpaton tn
supreme Government OF a consolidated nation -
The sovereignty OF one Southern State cannot be
destroyed, without the loss oftheir sovereignty by all
the others. We aware the responsibility OF doing
act which may hasten these consequences We feel
the respect which we owe to States having common
Interest, threatened by danger, but not equal
y persuaded with ourselves OF the necessity OF action
And nothing could induce to take, without their
concurrence, course which is to involve them in its
consequences, but thorough conviction OF the mecca
sity which urges US, and OF our right to do so.
Addressing citizens of Southern States associated to
maintain the rights OF the South we cannot imagine it
10 be necessary argue about the right of secession
We hold it to be the great State right, without which
which all Others nugatory and incapable of being
enforced; and your position that your faith
cannot be different from ours. Nor can we regard it
necessary any further, discuss the wrongs which
have been inflicted on the Southern States They may
be denied by those who shut their eyes them; but
you do not belong to that class. Southern and State
Rights men may differ as 10 the necessity of exercising
the right OF secession at particular time, account
OF those wrongs; but certainly the right exists
each State must possess the right OF Judging for her
self, as to the occasion and time for lis exercise II
South Carolina decides that honor and safety require
her to secede she has the right leave tho Conedera.
cy, peaceably and without molesation II the act of
secession is not permitted to be peaceable it will be
from usurpation OF power by the FEDERAL Government
not from the nature OF the act performed by South Ca
rona. Accustomed, as we have been, to violations of
theConsitution. and OF the Rights OF the Southern
States by the Federal Government, we have to look
forward to the probability OF another outrage by that
Government IL the attempt to force the State to re-
main in the Union. We suppose the attempt will be
made, II the other Southern States permit it, Those
States must decide for themselves whether thew will
permit it. South Carolina must decide torl erseli whe-
her is necessary seceGe. Her sister States of the
South Will have no right to complain that she forces
them into a position, where they must either inter.
pose to prevent her subugalion by conserving 10 it,
abandon their own sovereignty, and lay themselves at
the mercy OF despotc power. In seeding, S. Carroll
ma viii simply do an act which all Southern who
believe 10 the existence OF State Rights at all mast adj
NIT that she has perfect right to do; and which she
regards as absolutely necessary. She will be acting
her sacred right She will be acting as she would
have TO act itnone OF the other Southern States were
10 existence, and she the only object Of aggression
by the Northern States and the Federal Government
She is not answerabe for the usurpatons and injustice
which may be committed against her. And for the
sister States OF the South ask of her to refrain from
an exercise OF the right which she regards as udspen-
sable tor misrepresentation would be interference
with her free action OF lar different character from
any with which she can be charged towards them
Sovereigns equals. 10 seeding Alone South Car
DINA would be placing her sister States OF the South
under no restraint II they should find themselves in
position OF restraint it would from the action of
the Federal Government, not OF South Carolina But
II they should Insist her refraniag from the exer.
else OF her right, and submitting cond ion which
she regards as intolerable they would make them
selves parties with the Federal Government in placing
equal. "