Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-15
THE VIRGINIAN.
A. w. C. TERRY, EDITOR.
LFNCHDURG, MAY rs, 1881.


A. w. T.. TEkRf, EDIlOlS.
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LFNCnDURG, MAY Is, 1881.
south Carellma and Secession.
Copious extracts from the proceedings
of the Convention of Southern Rights AS
sociations" lately assembled in Charleston,
are given IN to-dsy's paper, at the expense
Of some variety, in order TO place the rea-
der in full possession ofall the facts ncces-
sary to a correct understanding Of the posi-
ton of the Secessionists. That the pro-
ccedings indicate high degree of public
excitement, an abiding opposition to the
course of the General Government If not
cherished and cordial dislike to the gov
eminent itself, and reckless determine
ton to force the State into the adoption OF
extreme measures from which she may
not be easily extricateJ, but into winch her
sister States may become irretrievably IN
voIved, is most lamentably and alarmingly
true. We have, several times recently,
had occasionto declare that "madness rules
the hour" and now We have greater rea-
son to repeat the declaration, with more
solemn emphasis. South Carolina, we fear
NAV be regarded as now committed to
secession. Some Of her leading politicians
who have been accustomed, unfortunately,
to rule the State, declare she will secede
during the session of the next Congress
and the Southern Rights Associations
Convention, as will be seen from the pub
ished proceedings in this paper, asserts Sc.
ccssion, now, to be the only relief from
what's alleged to be the tyranny OF the
General Government, and formally re.
commends to the State the adoption OF this
extreme remedy. 1t is true the Conven'
ton has no authority to commit the State
to su ch measure; but many Of its mem,
bers arc also members ofthe State Conven
,;op hereafter to be assembled by author
ty of the Legislature, AM 1t is presumed
they Will adhere to the same Opinions
when acting under State authority, ''a'
they now avow. Indeed it is known that
large majority of those elected to the
latter body, is already committed to Sc
cession; and our only hope for avoiding
the rash and dreaded action of that Con
vention, has heretofore consisted in the IN
Auencc which public opinion in that State
might be brought to exercise over its de-
alterations, or in the possible contingency
that the Legislature would never call the
Convention together. We had INDUCED
the hope that the counter current which
which had begun to manifest itself against
Separate State action, would be suffi-
cient to turn the tide against her threaten
ed withdrawal from the Union. 1t was
hoped the high authority of Mr.. Calhoun's
opinions, ard the recently assumed but firm
positions of such men as Senator Butler,
Cheves, Barnwell and other leading citi-
zens, against immediate secession, would
be sufficient to stay the mad current Of IA
naticism, and turn the minds of the people
to wholesome reflections, and their hearts
opeace. But their appeals appear to have
been made in vain. The Convention seems
to have been bent upon destruction. Af-
ter "A session of four days, it has adjourned,
having solemnly committed itself and the
".Southerm Rights Associations' it repre-
scented, to immediate Secession. 1t is
greatly to be feared the people will sane
ton the recommendations of this body
South Carolina is proverbially under the
management of a few leaders, who are
disconnected, chafcd, and irritatcd, and
therefore prepared to go to extreme meas
urcs. Their influence over the masses,
composed of elements scarcely less excit-
able, is said to be controlling; and we have
evidence that it will not be excrted for
wholesome purposes and conservative ends
In the present aspect of affairs, we have
no encouragement to hope for happy
termination of existing difficulties.
1t becomes a question of some interest
to determine what course the general gov
crnmcnt will pursue towards South Caro-
lima, in the event of her withdrawal from
the other States. We have no other data
on which to found a solution of the pro-
blem than such as are common to our rea-
ders. Mr.. Webster indicated in his An
napolls speech thathc, for one, would dis
countenancc any cocrcwc measures for re-
stricting the free exercise by South Caro-
lima Of all the rights she claims, to 90 out
of the Union, whenever she chooses to re-
sort to them. Mr.. Butler, in late speech
in that State, seemed TO lament the fact
that, the Administration would not resist
the secession of South Carolina, by force,
for he believed that violence would beget
sympathy for her which would Ultimate
ly lead to the espousal of her cause by sew
eral Of the other States. The weight of
opinion seems to favour the supposition
that, South Carolina will be permitted
quietly to retire from the Union nor, and
IT so, from existence soon. Possibly this
will be the wiscst course for the Admins
trationto pursue, as conflict with that
State might lead to a rupture between the
others, and to the final and utter dissolution
ofthc Union.
That the Withdrawal of South Carolina
will sensibly affect the ri gifts Of the other
States is undeniably true; and here it may
be proper to say word or two OF the
abstract question itself, of the right Of Sc
ccssion. This is one Of those controvcrted