The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-28

ner and seize the EARLIEST moment 70 comply WIN your
Iso,,rs, ihat should reply through that paper . 4
You are not mistaken supposng that mighty crisis
impebds over the southern States me osnon OF Our
own beloved State is emnenty critical South Carolina
~. never had greater need OF the wisdom, and valor
and affection OF her than at the present moment
Most sincerely do hope that every man within her Dor
ders feels keeny yourselves the deepest soctude
for her honor and her welfare For one, am sensible OF
obligations 10 hes which my poor services can never re-
pay; and intend TO do my duty, and my whole duty TO
her in the present lunctnre. WL
duces you 10 inquire OF me- as your representative ID
Congress. what part is TO be assigned 10 her IN The gea
contest which awaits the southern States had sup
posed the position of South Carolina already defined and
determined, both by the Legislature and the people
had supposed the argument exhausted ana the debate
forever closed convention was ~
enues raised and appropriated Tor military stores anu mn
itary defence Delegates 10 the convention nave been
chosen by the people, large majority OF whom are IN
dstsood 10 be in favor Of The secession OF the State re-
gardess oil the OF other southern Staes-ahu' IN
deed, regardless OF all circumstances nave not the
honor OF being member OF that convention. Inc ex-
pediency of secession is question which cannot come
within the scope Of those duties which you have con,
fded TO me as member OF Congress AS member OF
Congress- be called upon TO vote on that ques-
ton 1t is exclusively belonging TO the convention
But also true that the proprely OF secession, without
regard TO the OF the other southern States, was
not discussed pending the election for Congress and the
legislature which took place in October last In the
public discussion which ! heard, and in which took
part heard but very few express opinions in favor OF
the secession of South Carolina alone without regard 10
the action Of the other States: think the subject was
not discussed before the people, and that their Judgment
was neither expressed nor formed upon II; So also, III
relation to the calling of convention by the legislature
Until after the session began heard nothing OF ~ ana
think nothing was heard OF by the people should nave
been most happy have had the opportunity OF offer
ing my opinions of these measures before the judgment
OF the State made up, when they might have enter
ed into it's deliberations for the little they may be worth
Congress Of the southern States thought then
looked and nothing else looked to, until Its results
should be known
laure and of the people OF South Carolina indicating
determination secede from the Union, whatever other
States may think proper to do should consequently,
have deemed i my duty 10 be silent until the period OF
The meeting Of the convention approached could then
have been better able TO determine what would be expe-
dient to do The events OF the summer and autumn Will,
think throw much light the great issue before us
should gladly have awaited those events before the
final Judgment of the State made up. Under these
circumstances cannot hope that my opinions can be OF
any avail in assigning any 'par 10 South Carolina Bu,
enough that you wish to know my OPINIONS upon
Of public policy even though II be foregone
conclusion | have selfish motive to withhold such
opinions as have nothing lose by expressing them.
have never sought office; have never seen the day
when would hare held Office under the federal gov
eminent could not do SO, al this time. without feel
ing Of personal degradation. come, then, to the con-
fessiona without tear and without reserve.
The inquiries proposed by you suggest two PROPOSE
tons The first is, whether secession be the only alter
native left 10 the southern States The second 49,
whether in the event OF the other slaveholdg States re-
naming IN the Union, will become the duty OF South
fact' The only full and fitting reply 10 inquiries OF such
grave import must be found in consideration OF the
objects contemplated by secession and OF IT'S probable
efficacy in accomplishing those objects. The leading
object 10 be attained by secession will be admitted TO be
the preservation oil the institution OF African slavery
impaired and unmolested II comprehends tie quiet and
undstubed enjoyment OF this species OF property as well
the means OF making 1t profitable and desirable These
conditions are necessary TO save feen hundred millions
of property, the most profitable in the world, and the
of countless blessings 10 mankind from becoming
nuisance and curse. They are amply secured IN the
constitution and that instrument would never have OBJ
tanned the approval of South Carolina and other southern
Sales without such security But these stipualons and
compacs have not been carried out IN good faith by the
northern States, but have been violated and utterly DIS
regarded We complain especially that slaves fleeing 10
the non-savehodIng States ale not delivered to the
owners their demand that the property OF fifteen
States Is excluded IRON 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 Congress They are we'll
founded compainis-acts that are palPabe violations
OF the constitution, and would, my opinion, any
OF Them Justify the secession of the southern States.
They impair the security and the value OF property IN
slaves rbe experience OF eight years OF anxious hope
and apprehension have brought me to the conclusion
that these complaints will be removed or redressed
by any exercise of the provided by the cons,i-
tuition How can South Carolina reform public opn-
ion in Massachusetts Ohol BY what poteni lnstru
men can she dlsenchant the public opinion OF the North
break the spell which holds in absolute sway the in
tslIect Of the North Our appeals 10 their justice have
been unheeded and our remonsrances condemned We
Disguise the fact that the guarantees OF the
eutuuOn IN IhVoI oI sidVcIy are Iucy dt
openly Tepudaled by those who yielded them TO the de
mand OF the South as the basis OF union with them
Individuals may submit 10 wrong without the loss OF
character sefrespect, but such submission by nations
brings dshonor and degradation II implies both weak
and puslianiRty, and invites aggression, well
inciles contempt The federal government cannot and
would ii could, coastran these northern States 10
the discharge of their duty 1t has neither functions
funconares TO reach the evil The great function OF
government in modern times is the protection OF proper.
~ Property in slaves, OF all other property least
endure aggression and most needs the OF govern
ment A government tina, fails either from its weakness
or its will 10 protect his property from domestic as well
foreign foes, does deserve the obedience or the
respect OF freeman government that not only fails
to protect but is actually hostile 10 the property OF heen
States monstfous desposm, and TO overthrow to
pull down huge nuisance. The ultimate abolition OF
slavery be the result unless the sIavehodng States
have The spirit TO take their rights under their own pro-
tecon The establishment OF a conedeTacy OF slave
holding Siaest need not embrace all the slaveholdng
Staies-s las soemnly beleve) the only measure that
promises security or even hope TO the South hold that
the slaves OF South Carolina OF infinitely greater val
to her than this Union any Union. And when the
enormous evils Of which complain, and which have
specified be redressed by the OF South Car
olna alone, am without hesitation and instantly in IA
OF IT. whatever other States may do and whatever
consequences may follow.
~ Let US. then, IL complaints, any OF them,
would be removed redressed by the OF South
Carolina alone, the other saveboding States remaining
m The Union Would the prospect Of recovering fugitive
aAvsa be better They may now be, and now are,
sovssed snmmarlly and certainly, when they found
IN niteen States The difficulty OF retaining them in
an Al rs IN the different districts OF our own State Each
Oh tDeee Statcs affords