Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-05-31

quent Of those who depecs,ed they did not denounce
slavery. No Virginia will lead the hosts Of the
South, whose destiny il is the crusade seaust sa-
very. That great duty, in my opinion, will devoye upon
South Carolina Georgia
But lead who may il our destiny 10 act conspicuous
part in The contest when it shall come and it will as
surely there is God Interest and srpeservaiion will
arouse and unite the States that grow cotton, and rice and
sugar Let not hinder this great movement by
rashness OF Let vainy endeavor separate
destiny from that of all those States that have common
interest," and from whom alone, Of all msnkDd have
right to hope for for sympathy. Remember
cannot preserve slavery all the other Southern States
render Let them yield ourselves to neither rasbness
despair Let look to the future with courage and
with hope. Let do duty this great crisis and
animate and excite others to do theirs the other Southern
States shall follow the example Of Virginia, still let
despair strike colors We shall sink below high
destiny if we have not the courage, and the constsncy and
he foritude to all the vcsud. Of contest which in
wolves our hopes, our happiness, our existence.
During the autumn Of last year. both speeches and con-
versaons repeatedly expressed the opinion that one
Slate should seced the General Government ,couM attempt
to enforce the Acs Of Congress and her obedience
have since seen nothing TO CHANGE but much confirm,
that opinion Is the prorince Of Congress make La,os
6ot the duty Of the President to them This duty
he solenny sOears he wiH PERFORM The President and
as Secretary & als Aars girsn repeated assurances that
that uH be attempted The army and navy are placed
at the command Of the President for that purpose The Pre-
sdent and Mr. Webster belong to school Of politicians who
do not admit the right of State to secede from the Union
This opinion has been often expressed by Mr. Webster and
expressed with reference South Carolina They hold
that resistance to the laws Of Congress by State is awless
resistance and TO be treated the act of rebels and
have taken much pains to ascertain whether, if South
Carolina secede she will be sustained by the the pub
lie opinion OF any other State. The result conviction
that example Wouh not be folored nor our conduct
justified By any them They evidently do not regard
the past the present stateo things jung secession
And fear they believe tha, South Carolina from fsctous
and selfish motives, is endeavorng involve them in
test without cause, and would look upon struggle between
the General Government and this State without and
without sympathy.
From the foregoing views It will be that my opinions
are, that the Southern States remain in the Union
without degradation, and ultimately the abolition of slavery
that slavery is Of value to the South than the Union
that secession is the only remaining alternative but that it
should be resorted only the Of establishing
fedeacy OF one saveholding States that at this
time the secession Of South Carolina would neither be follow
ed nor justified by any other State that the secession of
States remaining in the Union, ,coud only aggrapGte the
eri Of which zoe justly complain and ,coud be inezpe-
dient and un,cise that in such event force would be
tempted by the Federal Government and the great object Of
secession seriously hndered and endangered if utterly
defeated.
have now, gentlemen, expressed my opinions upon the
deeply interesting points indicated in your communication
with the rankness and candor that becomes repre-
sentative and citizen commend them to your scrutiny
and your consideration They opinions deliberately form
ed after the long and anxious reflection Of who has
ambition but to promote the true glory Of South Carolina
dare not hope that they will be acceptable to all of you
they may be any Of you-but willing to submit
them to the test of time and TRUTH content and
solved 10 stand fall in the public estimation BY hem and
upon them In public in private life should feel that
am patriot did not at wha personal sacrifce try
to native State from the disasters of blind and heed
less counses But South Carolina is the home Of my aec-
ons and her bosom shall be my grave Her sha be
my cause, her fate my fate.
cannot lay down my pen without this admonition my
fellow citizens Before you secede make up your mind
without unutcro6k shame and despair Be- then, resolved
to meet oil its hazards and all its trials you ready
lay down life and forune you prepared for
son. The North cannot and will part with you, and the
treasure she wrngs from you, without mighty struggle
She will use force if she dare, and there be need Be
before you move that you fail and be sure aso that
success will bring the realization of the bright hopes and hap
Py visions that lead you the II you in
duced to favor secession by the idea which some of those
who ore camorous for that hold you, that
would be caesed and coaxed by kindness and
sions, to return to the Unon entreat yo to discard the
Udin and unworthy hope Secession for such purpose
would be palty and miserable tifng with the gravest
question OF the century would with proud dis
dan as you could feel any unmsny sppea your fears
make no such appeal only conure you bring home
your o,on Consciousness the realities this great before
the suord Is draUn That bright weapon once drawn can
never be sheahed without dshonor Retreat in such con-
test would be as disastrous and infinitely dsgraceu
than defeat Either would be irretrievabe ruin Then be
wise be resolved be ready before you strike have not
purpose or hope, wish that is inseparably
nected with the destiny Of South Carolina, and with the
help of God, her destiny shall be my destiny.
am, gentlemen, with great respect your obedent and
humble servant. ARMISTEAD BURT.
To Capt THOMAS B. BIRD and others