The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-09
IP0laGa@sAno
Hsemar,ss OF 1Ir. Rntlcr.

at5g ..r va.
Before the Convention of Southern
,.. Rights Association.
s{ Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
This is an occasion that has associa-
ted with it in its probable consc-
:quences grave responsibilities such
as have intensely engaged and
heavily oppressed my mind.
The highest exertion of human
wisdom is to make good government.
To- change established Institutions
with q view Of substituting others in
their place, requires boldness, fore
sssight and deliberate. design, Whilst
53impulsiye enthusiasm may be well re-
egardea ~ thu motive 10 .sees7., ;1flt. e,ItG
q wise element in such Q conjuncture,
it oughsfnpt to assume tho tone Of
proscriptiye itnpabience.
4 sss Indaaf, those Yha haze the control
ssl a, ,Ee.it
judgment and experience. Tho feel.
ings which I see here manifested, do
honor to tho hearts Of those who en-
tertain and express them. They
spring from the hearts of intelligent
freemen, who, knowing their rights,
arc willing to make any sacrifice to
maintain them. i In taking counsel
from the highest impulses of their
nature, they are impatient at any
suggestion that might interfere with
their free indulgence. The ycnera-
bic Cheves- who has been regarded
Il as an adviser of both wisdom and
courage-has presented to you a
communication we'll calculated to ar
rest your attention. 1t is one that
will command, am sure, throughout
the Southern States, profound re.
spect. Yet have seen that paper
meet with the impaticncc ofthe great
and almost uncompromising excite
ment which prevails here; and even
with some who have, no donbt, taken
their heat from the fires that were
kindled by his. bold and commanding
. eloquence. Under such intimations,
Imight we'll pause in giving you my
!. counsels.
VI We are gentlemen, in crisis that
calls upon every one, especially every
man who has accepted seat in this
Convention, to do his duty; and to
give you the conviction Of his dclib-
crate judgment. No man should
avoid responsibility, by taking refuge
in Watchful silence and prudent neu-
trality.
Many have thought that my official
position would have allowed me to re-
main away and take advantage of the
current. I have been summoned by
my fellow-citizens to minglc in the
current, and help to guide it, or be
overwhelmed by its violence. | en-.
bark with those who have common
destiny with me. The fate of the
people of South Carolina shall be my
fate --let what may come, I shall
stand or fall with South Carolina, tho
fond mother of my birth and my af
fections. In the advice and counscls
that ! may give, | am willing, before
the tribunal Of an impartial history,
to abide by the judgment of my
countrymcn.
It has been my fate, for the last
five years, to take. as your represen-
tatiye, q responsible part in the Ma
tional Councils of the Confederacy.
I have been made to feel the expo.
sure Of q struggling and isolated mi
nority to an arrogant majority, wEo,
feeling thelYulgar strength of self
sustaining numbers, have resorted to
all the machinery of taunting au
dienco and a sordid press to put un-
der the ban the State whose ropre-
sentative iyas. ! have always had