The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-10

report business to be submitted TO this meeting !;
and that all propositions which may be introduced
in this body shall be referred without previous de-
bate, TO the said committee for consideration"
The following gentlemen were appointed on
the committee:
"Maxcy Gregg, Richland; d. #. ~Jamison,
Orangeburg; James Jones, Edge6eld; H. Pc
ronneau Finley, and p Della Tore, ST. Philip
and ST. Michael; John 8. Palmer, st. Stephen's;
James Chestnut, Kershaw; ]. A. Bradley, Chester;
+. d. Richardson, Sumter; J. A. Calhoun, Abbe-
Vile; II. b. Haynesworth. Darlington; G. Mani
Marion; ]. s. Msnsr. ST. Pstsr's; j. g. ". Dun.
can, Barnwei; w. H. Gist, Union; w. b. Wilson,
York; ]. HI. Williams, Newberry; r. A. Maxwell,
Anderson; J. d. Wright, Laurens; Tandy Walker.
Various preambles and resolutions were sub
mitted and referred during the morning session.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was called to order by the Pre-.
sident, pursuant to adjournment, at 4 o'clock.
Mr.. q. A. TRENHOLM stated that he had in
his possession letter from the Hon. Langdon
Cheves, addressed to the Ghvention, which he
asked permission to have read. This was
agreed to by the convention, and the letter was
read by MIR. Trenholm, as follows. ~
PLANTATION, (OaEHcHEE, May /, 1851.
MY DEAR SiR have been appointed delegate
of the Southern Rights Association Of st. Philips
ISOLATION Of York district, to the convention to be
held in your city on Monday next; and it was my
wish and intention to have attended the conven-
ton in obedience to these calls but cannot do 90
without neglecting private business Of my own of
Importance, which admits Of no delay, and which
cannot be well accomplished without my personal
attention. This business, however pressing and
important, should have been superseded by the
public call if could have believed that my attend
nnce at the convention could be of any material
Importance. but am well satisfied that it could
not. My general views of the grievances OF the
South, and Of the subversion Of the Constitution of
the United States, are fully known to the public,
and will weigh for what they are worth AZ effectu-
ally ~ a. III were again to declare them:
to declare whether in the opinion Of the convention
South Carolina ought to seccde from the Union
alone, and without the concurrent action Of any
other OF the southern States. My opinion on the
propriety Of the separate action of one southern
State, and particularly of South Carolina has been
long known. There is no man in the country who
feels more sensibly than do the danger the dis
honor, the infamy of the condition Of the South.
No man is moro entirely convinced of the justice,
the constitutional right, and the political expedi-
ency OF the withdrawal Of the southern States from
that Union by which they are enthraed, and which
cannot fail while subsiss, to bring them farther
and future danger oppression and infamy. am sat.
shed that history furnishes no examPeof such die
reputable % % that which they now ezhb
action OF patriotism ia the earliest possible resist
ance to the slightest encroachment on the public
rights. The lovers Of liberty snuff the tainted
breeze Of tyranny in the distant gale, and do not
wait for the overwhelming power of the storm.
But We tamely endure the full blast of the injuries
and insults 30 .Profusely poured upon US. Wehng
our chains with something approaching TO fond
ness, and submit to be governed by our bitter
mics; and yet it is only necessary to will it, to rend
those chains, and to be "redcemed, regencrated
and disenthralled." AS a citizen of the South,
feel Inundated into the very dust. Yet not
Of opinion that South Carolina should secede alone.
Nor do think this on account of the dangers it
may provoke, or the sacrifices it may require. No
dangers and no sacrifices can be too great In
such cause But one State of the South can
not stand alone IN the midst Of her sister
States These States form one family in inter-
est, in blood, in feeling and in cndearing so.
cial and historical relations and rccollectious, and
such ties ought not to be broken but by dire
sity. South Carolina know has been grossly Sian
dered and viliacd for what no dispassionate man
can say is rash unwise. She has done more
than proclaim the southern wrongs, and who can
deny them, and to express desire to unite with
her sister States in resisting them. She will be
wrong, however, IN my poor opinion. i che sepa-
But 1t may be said they have not proposed to do.
what the honor and interest OF all require to be
done, to redeem the character and to sustain the
rights of the South. 1t 10 most true and deeply to
be lamented; but we are but one member Of this
large family. and have right to dictate authori
tatively to the other members of the family We
We should use no language of irritation. We must
look with forbearancc on their tardiness
t'Be to their faults a little blind,
Be to their virtues very kind,
And put paddock ON the mind" az to the past.
The people Of our southern sisters are . brave
people, whose fathers fought for liberty, who them
selves were born and nurtured in the enjoy mcnt Of
1t, and who therefore, know the value Of it. II
not be believed that such people will long consent
to be governed otherwise than by Government in
enHS % sos sna
betrayed. They must and will hcarken to other
counsellors than those to whom they have hitherto
listened: The South must and will rouse from
its slumbers, and mainly rely upon the Democra-
cy Of the country. The Democratic party once
already, under the guidance Of Jefferson, in 1888,
saved the South from the ambition and tolls
same people, but with these differences: The
leading Fcderalists were then high, honorable,
able men, who were ambitious to govern you,
but whose ambition noble, and, there
fore. scarce a crime, though dangerous TO the
true principles Of our Union. These men have
gone down to the grave, have been prescribed
and discarded BY their unworthy associates-men
with moro than their ambition, but none of their
virtues or talents. The great object of the old
Fcdcralists was strong, but honest government.
That Of their successors is an anarchica tyranny,
regardless Of tho provisions of tho Constitution
for the security Of southern rights. and animated
by the principles OF abolition and the phrensy
OF fanaticism. Let the Democratic, party, then,
which rallied under the wise guidance and
foresight Of JofIcrson, and saved the South,
again put forth its strength II embraces the great
power Of tho southern States. Even the Wings of
the South are Democrats, though in false posi-
ton, IN which accident has placed them, and freed
o. that they will appear under their old flag. The
Whig party 10 now no longer that OF which they
were members II was party founded on the de-
tails OF the politics Of the day, the comparative
" small measures of the moment, and upon the
candidates for Federal Offices. The present mo-
ment Y one OF ho or death to the South; and that
party 10 mot now contcnding for these old objects.
but 10 conquer the South and TO abolish her most
important and valuable institutions. II there are
Whsgs NJ the South who will still adhere to them,
they are few and can be spared. We shall be
strong enough. II true 10 ourselves, without them
10 only nccessary thas the Democratic party act
vigorously, sealously, and perscvcringly, and tho
principles Of the South viii be triumphant n we
have sous Ia our bosoms can II BE- otherwise
The consommatiou % devoutly wished may not
- accomplished in . day or year; but let the
party Of the south pcrscvcre, and the result il in
rstsAhis. This will be true Of Virginia and Geor-
gsa, Ne wsii ~ of other states. Let believe
hAt the recent scts Of these Statcs truly express
Abe viii and determination Of the people of these