The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-28

committed, II wall lmpOoolOle ever 6Iter 10
to any dissatisfied member Of the ConfederAcy the
right 70 follow the example. The inevitable consc.
quence must be, that the Federal authority will
to be respected at home, and that abroad dis
tage of its imbecity, and to speculate ON its ap-
preaching downfall"
Entertaining thcse opinions. and strongly i'm
pressed with the importance OF the Impending
crisis, we considered IL incumbent ON the Leglsia-
ture of our State to avail tself of the occasion iur-
nished by the communication OF South Carolina,
for disavowing the idea OF southern congress, for
expressing the acquiescence OF our people In the
measures Of adjustment, for declaring their attach
ment TO the Union and respectfully, but earnestly,
demonstrating against the contemplated disturb
ancs. We were especially desirous OF this, be.
cause we feared that, as our Senators, Zone Of
whom had been recently re-elected,) and ma
iority Of our representatives, had opposed these
measures in their passage, and were known still to
ties ofSouth Carolina would, without an unequivo-
cal declaration to the contrary, be deuded into the
belief that in their resistance to the Federal Gov
ernment. and their act Of secession they would re-
ceiye the sympathy and CO. operation OF the people
this State
An explicit and authoritative declaration on
these points we considered due TO ourselves to our
constituents, to the people Of South Carolina, and
to the country and in the present state OF parties
amongst US, we thought the desired movement
would proceed with better effect from our Demo
cratic associates. Accordingly, in our social in
tercouse during tho session, some Of US sought to
impress upon their minds proper sense OF these
considerations; and for time cherished the hope
that deaf ear would not be turned to the appeal.
But resolutions touching this subject. introduced
at an early day Of the session by ono Of eur num-
Der, had been, without consideration, indefinitely
postponed whilst similar ones, subsequently in.
Produced by another, had been az summarily laid
proach of the day appointed for the termination of
the session made US despair of any voluntary &C.
ton tho part of the majority, that just sense OF
our representative duty impelied those OF Us who
for consideration resolutions embodying what, in
our judgment, the occasion demanded. After
some discussion Of their merits and few inspect
fed objections from certain members OF tho other
side, by very nearly strictly party vote, they
referred TO q select committee, and, being at
forwards reproduced in an altered form, were
forced upon the House. without an opportunity for
ton of tho previous question:"
In the extraordinary unanimity, however. with
which they finally passed both Houses, we find
Just cause for congTatuation; and we only regret
that any incident attending the action should
have married. to any extent. the satisfaction derived
from it.
That just comparison may be made Of their re-
spective merits, give below, in parallel columns,
the resolutions originally presented and a. final
ly adopted.
After the refusal of tho Directing members to
specify the points of their objection and the hasty
manner Of forcing vote on the substitute it wasa
matter Of no little modification to perceive the ex-
tract, incorporated from tho Farewell Address,
stricken from the series. We cannot but regard it
~ extraordinary, and ominous ~ extraordinary,
that the language of Washington, the solemn
occasion of his Farewell Address, should be deemed
at this day unfit to be repeated in tho legislative
halls of the State which gave him BIRTH
Forourselves, cherishing grateful remembrance
OF his services, and for the virtue, WISDOM and pa
triotsm that illustrated his life, we would rejoice
to his parting advice disseminated until it, SEN
timents shall meet tho approval, and its lessons in
spire the hearts, of every human being who may
dwell in the land.
In giving this account Of our legislative proceed
ings, we mean not to charge or insinuatc against
our political adversares, ~ party, any feelings
of dsloyaty to the Union. On tho contrary, we
that great question, their patriotism is undoubted.
But, whilst we say this much for the great body Of
them, il il not TO be disguised that there some
amongst them, prominent for their influence, whose
feelings and opinions flow in . different channel;
and the necessity OF conciliating those it 10 that
we attribute the unfortunate modification to which
the resolutions were subjected
Some there may be amongst US, from an expecta-
ton Of better chance of figuring on sectional
theatre favorable to the partition Of the Union
into several confederacies but they should reflect,
in tho present state OF the public mind, how diff
cult would be the task of constructing new con-
federacies, and, left to themselves, what decay of
confidence and credit and injurious consequences
career of the separate States; and cven If other
confederacies could be formed, they should reflect
how much stronger governments the sections
would require, and how imminent would be the
danger Of monarchical consolidation from their
hostile conflicts.
Fellow citizens, let US rescue this question from
the vortex of party, and spurn from our bosorns
suspicion and mistrust The Union If the States
II the real fortress of American NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
with devout acknowledgment for the great bless
ing and fervcnt, determined, patriotic devotion,
let us address ourselves TO the sacred task OF 1T
preservation.