The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-01

change IN our political system 10 70 Do attemptea
not only without the concurrence, but IN opPosi-
ton, and, in perhaps. hostility that TO the opin'
ions of those with whom Providence seems 10
have decreed our lot should be united. never to
be discovered except for common ruin.
| We stand, then, upon the verge OF q reyoiu-
ton! Without perceiving it, We have been
brought to that point from which wecan view
consequences soon to come upon US with over
whelming force, unless lie people will rise IN
their might, and arrest, even at the last moment
the irrevocable and fatal step. AYE
What motive should impel us to commit the
people of the State, To the uncertain and always
terrible fortunes of revolution!
Does the honor of our State demand It Mol
so. South Carolina has never said. that she
would dissolve her relations with her sister
slaveIiolding States Of the South She has
given but one pledge, again and again repeated
that she will be prepared to unite with them ~
all measures that they shall advise, az necessary
for the maintenance OF their privileges and
rights. This pledge she stands prepared to re-
deem. And if any have undertaken to pledge
her honor, In any other course, they had no
warrant for the act: for her honor was not in
their keeping. Does it promise her security I!
| We see in it only the temptation to the strong
and powerful to make our gallant State, now
loaded with the trophies OF vaor and Intellect,
| victim for their caprice, and subject for their
pleasure Isolated, unpreparei and undefended;
with the gallantry of her sons taxed to an ex
tent superhumar what could it all avail amid
the contending and colossal powers Of the
world The daring Of our conduct might in
deed excite the surprise OF the moment; but short
time would tear from Us even our own approba-
ton of the act we had committed, and too late
would we learn that among nations, rights are
| ,kr obi Ia md ra
pared to defend them.
Does IL offer us advantages that we can rea-
sonably expect to obtain? What are they.
/ Our separation would require an alteration OF
the present government of or, State. Is it GER
tain that to the adjustment OF that question, all
those considerations ould be brought, necessa-
nv for its harmonious conclusion Oar system
Of government, in new condition, would be
determined by the necessities of the people, and
the ability OF the Stale Are there any bold
emo; oh to DECLARE that they can foresee the one,
or calculate the other? The success # our
government would depend on is relations with
the leading powers of the world, especially
those of Europe and America Have we any
statesmen so much in advance OF ALI others IN
political foresight, as to be able to determine
these matters even TO their own sa'l-faction!-
We apprehend not. The dark unfathomable
|
but hat borrowed from the condition OF nations,
too weak to invite, or too mpotent 10 repel ag-
gressions.
If now we turn to those in whose Judgment
we confde. whose devotion to constitutional
liberty, as guaranteed by the federal compact is
without spot or blemi.h, who have ever been the
watchful guardians of the rights of the States
with scarcely an exception, raised their voices In
deep and solemn protest and remonstrance
against the propriety of separate State action.
Have they lived through that period of life when
ambition is most powerful, 10 be corrupted in
their old age by any promise OF federal honor
or reward Have they in their retirement yield
ed to the influence of gold, or beed their his.
tory. and become terrified by the sword! We
+ NAV answer for their countrymen in saving, that
they are beyond suspicion Yet do they with
one voice urge us to forbear, and save our hon.
Grad State from the peril which awaits her.
In the heart of our city, still repose the hon
ored remains Of him who, living, was firstin the
affections of his countrymen, and now dead, is
ever present in their memories. Who is he tn II
fairly doubts the counsel that John g. Calhoun
! would give in this time Of peril to his State
He has. as his last legacy, bequeathed us that
advice. by an adherence to which we will find the
, remedy we desire. In the combination of those
] States marked out by geographical lines, and
assimilated with each other by homo ,eneous in
terests will we secure the elements u at give
, stability to government, by the possession OF re
sources adequate to all its emergencies-this
combination, Of what Mr.. Calhoun calls or.
, panized bodies" having, in his own language,
, . tie means Of avoiding the confusion and an.
arcby 10 which the parts would be subject with
1 ont such oreanization.r To this contamination
4 we address our efforts, with the earnest convic
ton that il will not OILY be accomplished by our
sister States with view to their own security
and welfare, but is, moreover, the natural and
necessary consequence of the present admins
tration of the government. Aud this, wDen at
tanned. rs II su,ely must be, will be the last and
greatest tribute TO his distinguished statesman
shin, in the realization Of his opinion that the
Is concert" which he foresaw, was, rs he pre-.
dicted, !" the one thing necdful."
There Il still another consderat which
moves us, and to us il is Of the gravest import.
II the separate action Of South Carolina, in.
volved the loss of the lives Of the best Of her
sors-the impoverishmel 1t Of her soil-the de
cay Of that civilization which now reigns within
her limits, we should be impressed with the i'm
mensity Of the sacrifice. But these, we should
hold LIGHT in comparison with the possibility Of
this proud and time-hoDored republic dissolvinp
her connection with n confederacy Of republics.
independe ce, for the security and proiec ion she
would obtain as an appendige to some European
Z power
We hold that no com hinatIon Of circumstance!
can possibly exist, which would induce or Justify
South Carolina ever again To occupy position
Of colonial dependence. And never will we
consent 20 place her in a position from which
such consequence could possibly result. We
wear no chains-but least Of all, those which
, our fathers cast from their limbs. We love our
State, and doing so, we lore the records of her
suffering. through years Of cruel warfare, cheer
, fully horne. for that inestimable boon 81 civil
and religious liberty. with which u was pnr
, chased. A century !. fast rolling on. since the
, Gag Of the proudest power in Europe was
horne, traiIirgin the dust BY ts srmy retreating
from our shores and everv footprint Of the in.
; vader wa. washed out with the bl cd Of the
, best and bravest Of her sons. Never. while
God gives rs the sense 10 understand our riqht',
. | A.. L.stio thar, ohall that mr. any