The New York herald., 1851-08-19
South Carolina and her Politics.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.


CHARLESTON, S. c., Aug. IL, 1851.
Will you permit a subscriber from this part of the
world to offer few comments upon your editorial
of the 9th inst, with regard to our politics l
think the editorial in question is calculated to give
somewhat erroneous impression, and as your in
formation has been generally correct and fair on
this subject, presume you are not unwilling to be
set right in any occasional inaccuracy.
The conclusion to be drawn from your remarks
would seem to be that the formation Of what is
called the cooperation party here, opposed to
rate secession under present cir,umstan yes is re-
action or counter movement, the secession party
having previously had control of the State and be-
ing in possession of secession convention and legs-
ture. That this should be the opinion of those
who, in hostile spirit, delight to confound the
harapgues OF individuals, and the irres ponsible
sentiments Of young gentlemen, on festival occa-
sions, with the action and position of the State
is not surprising; but as you have never evinced
any disp ,sition towards US much at variance
with truth and fairness will call your attention
to the true condition of things. That O profound
sentiment of dissatisfaction has existed for some
time past throughout the whole State with the
course Of federal legislation and Of the hostility of
the Northern people and press towards US, is no
torous Indeed, the conviction is very general here
that large proportion of the Northern population,
who find willing organs in many Of your brother
editors, particularly in one or two in your imme-
date neigh hborhood, have long regarded the South
with hatred which they were anxious to manifest
whenever it could be done without injury to them
selves. But this indicated condition of peril
common to US with many other Southern States,
the opinion and position of State hitherto has
been that united action was most needful for our
comm on security This will at once appear, on re-
fe ence to our resolutions and acts on the subject
vi Reports and Res olutions of lS4s p. l47 ofiSi9,
PIP. 3l2, 3l3, 3l4; acts, 1850, p. 55.
In desire to resist, there was almost entire
unanimity, AMI this, coupled with several recent
events, might very naturally be mistaken for de-
termination, the part of the State, in favor of
separate secession. On this latter point, however
there always has been, and is now, great diversity
Of opinion. There bsing this unanimity Of senti-
ment on the general question of resistance, an ex
trer.e reluctance felt to separate on the question
as TO when and how this resistance would Be most
efectual The assembling of the delegates from
the different South m Rights associations here, in
May last, was the first occasion on which any gen.
eral manifestation was made on this point. At that
uncture, the separate ,essonsts thought that the
me had come for some general indication of the
course which the state ought to pursue and, having
decided majority In that body. adopted resolutions
in favor Of separate secession This step rendered it
necessary for those who, agreeing with them on the
general question, differed on the point Of secession,
at this time, to define tie ground whi,h they oc-
cuped; and the formation of the two parties,
which maybe said to date from that period, should
be properly regarded rather as separation or d.
yergepce among those who, up to that time, had
oeen ua'thing togetner, tnan As change OF posi-
tion, or counter movement, resulting from change
IN political sentiment on the part of either.
The secessionists think that seces zion being n
matter Of right and there being hope of redress
or change Of opinion at the North, it would be in
cons s.ent with honor to remain longer in the Union,
let the consequences Of dissolution be what thoy
may. The other party think that secession being a
question Of sxpediepcy, as well as right, prepara-
tion for the permanent con ition Of the State after
she shall have left the Union, is consideration of
the first importance in coming to n conclusion, and
although they hare long since ceased to hope any
thirg from the North, they believe that concert of
action smong sich of the Southern States as arc
sl alive TO thei ights honor and safety is in the
langusge Of our amented Calhoun, "tte one thing
needfui" for their prosperity and security.
As it was only my purpose to offer so ne CON-
ments upon your editorial to question o. fact,
ard nos TO enter on any thing like discussion, |
will conclude by requesting you to give a pl ice to
The above re marks in the columns Of your journal.
CIyIs.