The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-22

have endesyored to do my duty to the best OF my ab
y, and have no steps 10 take backwards What steps
forward is the question Whilst measures were under
consideration in which the sayehoding and slave
holding States were al issue, expressed myself Tree
ly, but with the circumspechon OF one who was VIII
ling to let his remarks be carried out to their conse
quences The representatives Of the planting States
spoke with signal unanimity IN maintaining the res
olutons of three different legislatures am proud TO say
Others in terms moderate IN tone hrm ana ~
purpose deliberate All these resolutions were regarded
mutual pledges and covenants Tor the southern States
make and to stand by each other Inc
southern members conferred together spoke togehef,
and al one time would have been prepared to sink or
swim in common peril They regarded themselves as
involved in common fate For time the minds OF Al
true OF the South lifted above the miserable
contentious of party and the jealouses OF neighborng
strife Under the influence OF this suspicious state OF
things, finished one OF my speeches with high note
from the Diomede Of the Old ThIteen-ouT nelghoor
Georgia-"equality or independence" And say now
if the southern States had become united they would
made good this declaration They have i in their power
mssS x sSs 'de
from trial that may be eectual and shall only on)ecl
to such measures my opinion must result IN iaiure
and discontinue If measures cannot be devised-as
believe they cannot-to restore iost squaiyaA equal
ty lost by brought forth to propate northern
prejudice am willing to take measures Tor an honor
able independence Of such States by their conjunc-
tion can the attitude and invest themselves with
| the attributes of national sovereignty.
Think, in the first place, that this convention ought
not to take cognzance OF so grave matter al this time
before there real occasion for decision. And in this
| do not differ with great many who hear me. This
convention consists OF representatives unequal in num-
ber Of selfconstuted associations The convention Of
the people to be hereafter convened having the RESPONSE
by Of decision, ought to be left perfectly free to form
the best judgment in its power, under the actual uncture
of circumstances that may exist at the time OF its meet
ing II ought neither to be instructed nor superseded by
the predeermnaon of an irresponsible bodyEirrespon-
sble / mean in any official point OF view Such pre-
determination will make an issue not called for by the
occasion that must result in popular agitation within the
State. Il will make divisions among ourselves and dis
close feelings which have not heretofore existed, and
ought not to exist in fact will defeat rather than pro-
mote the end contemplated To show how il will ope-
rate friends in other States need only refer TO
say here that from the time that prominent men in
South Carolina ntimated purpose 70 put the State on
operation of her neghbors, they deprived our real friends
OF the power OF hslping US II they did not altogether
ALLEVIATE our friends from their devotion the southern
cause they gave their opponents great advantage
them In fact, southern party at Washington, that
fast organizing. was dissolved They were willing to
move as fast and as well as they could What would
have been their final resolve and measures know not
But do know that they felt that they were separated
from their true friends by limitations for which their pso
vsrsement of their purposes 20 enable Others opposed
TO them to force and defeat them In general they
by their ahead Of their resolves and made the
WE ssem TO his o ods W. o
notice the form Of speeches and threatening resolu
tons. The consequence has been that short perform
anceb nave lOUk
that we lost the aid OF our true allies. There are now
friends other States willing to do all that they under
the circumstances OF their situation fear they will be
driven to dsavow when, il left TO themselves, they
might have pursued course to maintain the true but
much-abused course OF the southern States.
The ntimated in the draught Of the address,
this body to vote upon them All who members OF
the constitutional convention of the people cannot give
vote to control their future Judgment They ought no. to
be required TO do have conversed with several OF
Them and they have come 10 common conclusion 10
give vote upon any matter upon which they will have
deliberate. when there shall be real occasion for their
officially responsible judgment. | find myself in that
class What may be the situation OF things when the
convention shall be called to decide, know not.
tons before that lime. Madasss and inaiuation take
their course with blind confidence and al the
sion Of Congress shall look for some of their usual
Before speak of the probable and conectural action
OF the federal government in reference 10 South Carolina,
should she determine to secede, will notice some con-
slderaons connected with secession remedy Tor our
i wrongs.
The right Of secession in the abstract, and the right Of
Iesorins 70 Il 70 eise wise and beneficial end IN 70
one may be conceded as legal proposition whilst the
other as II may affect other communities well the
State itself involves high considerations and obligations
OF duty which statesman can or ought to disregard.
South Carolina had the option TO 90 IN or remain out OF
the federal Union She entered as sovereign, to enable
herself and confederaes to protect Their rights from
foreign powers and to promote domestic tranquility II
these ends should not be accompshed-but, in fact II il
should turn out that the government IN used exclusively
Tor one portion OF the partners to the oppression and
detrImen OF othersthe suffering parties should have the
right OF resuming their original position To Ny other
wise would be to make free States, they entered
the confedeacy, not merely parties despotc govern
men bu, victims OF il against their consent But whether
secession be conceded legal right
revolution IL MINISTERIAL, If there be real occasion
sort to IT, and IL be ussd 10 effect great political
end worthy OF its exercise II it should end 10 merely
separating the State from her former eonfsderatss and
placing her in condition that would require her 10 in
herself with all the attributes n
egn nation, both abroad and at home then might bring
South Carolina into situation OF isolation at with
her true interests and policy II she should to this
measure with view OF bringing her neighbors into POI
lItca connection. TO enable them Jointly TO form
conederacy for themselves that would he adequate for
all the purposes OF maintaining their rights at home and
relations with foreign powers, then becomes question
OF the greatest magnitude full OF consequences that
should be looked TO with all the care and intelligence that
can possibly be employed The State should take no
course that would make rivals and adversaries OF her
i southern neighbor. On the contrary. she should en-
deavor by all possible TO act with them allies
II the State should look nothing beyond her
cession, she will enable the federal government make
rivals OF those who interest and in feelings should
4 be, her friends.
make the broad remark that there il not a public man
IN South Carolina, sensible Of responsible trust, and
oeseeing the inevitable consequences OF separate seces
son. That woald put The State the trial OF that expert
nenf IL the act operate exclusively on the State
itself Such act would not only Gu, off our commerce.
\ but would place II in the hands Of rivals IN assum
ing such altitude, II would be the duty OF the State
make arrange mens for the management o her rights
abroad Her pride would revolt sending forth her flag
without navy 10 project It, and without ministers
and consul. to represent her rights and protect her