The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-29

moment TO comply with your fequess tnat
should reply through that paper
You are not mistaken 10 supposing that
mighty crisis impends over the Southern States.
The position of our own beloved State 10 emf
nently critical South Carolina has never had
greater need Of the wisdom, and valor, and af-
lection Of her sons than at the present moment.
Most sincerely do hope that every man within
her borders feels as keeny as yourselves the
deepest solicitude for her honor and her welfare.
For one, am sensible Of obligations to her
which my poor services can never repay and
intend to do my duty, and my whole duty, to
her in the present juncture.
You inform me that your solicltude for the
State induces you to inquire OF me, as your re-
preventative in Congress, what part il to be as
signed to her in the great contest which awaits
the Southern Suites. had supposed the posi-
ton OF South Carolina already defined and
determined. both by the legislature and the
people, had supposed the argument exhausted
and the debate forever closed. A convention
was ordered by the legislature at its last SEES
sion. and large and extraordinary revenues raised
and appropriated for military stores and military
defance. Delegates to the convention have been
chosen by the people, a large majority OF whom
arc understood to be in favor OF the secession
of the State. regardless of the course OF other
Southern States, and indeed regardless of all
circumstances. have not the honor OF being
a member Of that convention. The expediency
of accession is a question which cannot come
within the scope Of those duties which you have
confided to me as a member Of Congress-. As
member of Congress, cannot be called upon
to vote on that question. 1t is one exclusively
beloncing to the convention. But 1t is also true
that the propriety of secession, without regard
10 the course of the other S04thern States, was
not discussed pending the election for Congress
and the legislature, which tookplace in October
last. In the public discussion which heard,
and in which took part, heard but very few
expresa opinions in favor of the secession Of
South Carolina alone, without regard to the ac-
tion of the other States. think the subject
was not discussed before the people, and that
their Judgment was neither expressed nor form
ed upon it. So, also, in relation to the calling
Of a convention BY the legislature. Until after
the session began heard nothing Of it, and
think nothing was heard of it by the people.
should have been most happy to have had the
opportunity of offering my opinions of these
measures. before the judgment ofthe State was
made up, when they might have entered into its
deliberations for the little they may be worth
A Congress of the Southern States thought
was then looked to, and nothing else looked to,
until its results should be known.
cannot, even now, but regard the action Of
the legislature and Of the people of South Caro-
lima as indicating determination to secede from
the Union, whatever other States may think
proper to do should, consequently, have
deemed it my duty to be silent until the period
for the meeting Of the convention approached.
| could then have been better able to deter
mine what would be expedient to do. The
events of the summer and autumn will, as
think, throw much light on the great issue
before us. should gladly have awaited those
events before the final judgment of the State
was made up. Under these circumstances
cannot hope that my opinions can be OF any
avail in assigning any "part" to South Carroll
ma. But it is enough that you wish to know
NV opinion upon measure of public policy.
even though it be foregone conclusion. !
have no selfish motive to withhold such opn-
ions, as have nothing to lose by expressing
them. Ihave never sought ofice have meyer
seen the day when would have held an office
under the federal government. could not do
80, at this time. without feeling of personal
degradation. ! come, then, to the confessional
without fear and without reserve.
The inquiries proposed by you suggest two
propositions. The first is whether secession
be the only alternative now left TO the Southern
States The second is whether, in the event
of the other slaveholding States remaining in
the Union, it will become the duty of Sonti
Carolina forthwith to secede on the ascertain
ment of that fact The only fulland fitting reply
To inquiries of such grave import must be found
in consideration of the objects contemplated
by secession, and of its probable efficacy in ac-
complishing those objects. The leading OBJ
iect to be attained by secession will be admit
ted to be the preservation Of the institution of
African slavery, unimpaired and unmolested. 1t
comprehends the quiet and undisturbed enjoy
ment of this species of property, rs well rs the
means of making it profitable and desirable
These conditions are necessary to save fifteen
hundred millions of property, the most profita-
BILE i'm the world, and the source Of countless
BLESSINGS to mankind, from becoming nuisance
and curse They are amply secured in the
Constitution, and that instrument would never
have obtained the approval of South Carolina
and other Southern States without such securi-
ty. But these stipulations and compacts have
not been carried out in good faith by the North
ern States, but have been violated and utterly
disregarded. We complain especially that
slaves fleeing to the non-slaveholding States
are not delivered to their owners, on their de-
mand that the property Of fifteen States is ex-
cluded from countries which belong to all the
States, and that the subject of slavery itself is
made the topic of vehement and mischievous
discussion in the Northern States and in Con-
gress. They are wel-founded COMPLAINTS
acts that are palpable violations of the Consttu-
ton, and would, in my opinion, any one of them,
Justify the secession Of the Southern States.
They impair the security and the value of pro-
perry in slaves The experience Of eight years
of anxious hope and apprehension have brought
me to the conclusion that these complaints will
never be removed or redressed by any exercise
of the means provided by the Constitution.
How can South Carolina reform public opinion
in Massachusetts or Ohio! BY what potent
instrument can she disenchant the public opinion
of the North, or break the spell which holds in
absolute sway the intellect of the NorthY Our
appeals to their justice have been UNDECIDED and
our "Reminiscences condemned. We cannot
Disguise the fact that the guarantees of the
Constitution in favor Of slavery are mockeries.
They are openly repudiated by those who yield
ed them to the demand of the South as the
basis of union with them. Individuals may
suhmit Ia wropu without the loss of character