Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-10
SOUTH CAROLINA.

a new amendment.
SOUTH CAROLINA
We insert quite full report of the doings of
the Convention Of Associations assembled at
Charleston, on Tuesday, the second day of their
session. The matters of principal interest are
the address and resolutions reported by the select
committee of twenty-one on the subject of sepa-
rate State action, and the letter of the venerable
Langdon Cheves, on the same topic.
Mr.. Cheves, ii will be seen, is decidedly against
separate action, and advises his State to adopt Mr..
Calhoun's policy, with respect to Oregon, f"mas-
terly inactivity" Col Maxcy Greggs committee,
on the other hand, assert the right of secession
to be indsputable and declare that South Carolina
may wait for while to see whether the other
Southern States will join her cause, but it they
will not, she must strike alone for independence.
We are prepared to learn that the views of the
committee will be adopted by a majority of the
Convention; but it is evident that strong minor
ity are of different minds. The resolutions sub
mitted from the several delegations seem gene
rally to look to secession, though time is mani
testify an important element in the speculations
| OF the most violent of the actors. The following
resolution, offered by the Hon. J. l.. Orr, of An
derson district, probably indicates the course
which the more temperate portion of the body
deaire to pursue:
RESOLVED, That the State Convention called at the
late session oil the Legislature of South Carolina in
our opinion should be assembled by order fhe next
Legislature that have implicit confidence in the
wisdom fidelity and patriotism Of the delegates elect
nd ,t.I,,n Il
Conventions and that we consider it ne1pedent to die
tate or suggest to the members thereof the mode and
measure of redress for the many grievances inf icted
| on US by the Federal Government.
Mr.. Orrihaving, at Ihome, resisted the project Of
separate secession, we Judge from his resolution
that he hopes for nothing more favourable from
the Charleston Convention than decision which
would allow public sentiment to be broughtto bear
upon the counsels of the Convention which is tc
assemble under the act of the Legislature Ir
| South Carolina, few prominent characters have
so long been permitted to dictate the opinions O
the people, that they can scarcely be expected tt
surrender their customary sway
| Whatever may be the decision of the Charles
ton Con sention, it is manifest from the tenor O
several publications in the Charleston Courier
that there is strong anti-secession party, which
aided by the influence of such names as those OF
Mr.. Cheves, Judge Butler and Ex-Governor Ham,
mond-the last probably to be regarded as now
the leading man of the State-will not shrink from
making issue boldly before the people. We copy
one Of the communications referred to, showing
that, amidst all the wdness of the agtators, there
is still some practical sense left to save the State
from an act of unparalleled madness and folly.
From the Courier
What ,oiH be the Consequences of Secession?
1t becomes every man OF ordinary discretion to in
quire what will be the probable consequences of any
act or measure in which he is about to engage He
will do this very imperfecty unless he takes into view
not only his own opinions but those also OF all her n-
Ierested parties.
What, then, let us ask will be the probable conse.
quenees OF secession in South Carolina considering il
in connection with the opinions of others as well as our
own. We profess to believe that she has the right to
secede, and that the Federal Government has no right
to oppose her BE 1t So Let us assume that this is
our conviction. But it is not the conviction OF the
United States Secession will be opposed bv the
Federal Government. This is so certain, thai MIR.
Cheves, in his Nashville speech says, at would
be fraud upon the people TO hold a different
language" We must, then, assume also in forming
Judgment Of its consequences that secession will be
opposed by the Federal Govenment-that RICH, or
wrong, the government will believe il to be duty TO see
that the laws are executed 1t is necessary there fore TO
ask by what means, and in what way, will the gov.
eminent at Washington oppose the secession of the
State.
will take it for granted that the midest means, the
quiees. way wall be chosen-that the Federal Govern.
ment VIII be as moderate IN maintaining its authority
as IS consistent with the due execution of the laws
that will be particularly careful not TO transcend its
constitutional powers We can only conjecture what
it will do Let us try.
The Federal Government will not march troops into
the State. This would be measure of violence mex
pedent and unnecessary. 1t will not establish float
ing Custom House, as has been supposed, because it
would be clumsy and inconvenent To secure the re-
venue, 1t would merely abolish Charleston, Georgetown
and Beaufort as ports OF entry for the time being
The power ofthe Federal Government, under the
Constitution to declare what ports shall be ports of
try Ia beyond all doubt The act OF 1899 determines the
number OF those portsin South Caroiaa and elsewhere
From time 10 time Congress has changed them or aboI
ished them for example, the port of Currituck, in
North Carolina, 10 1871. South Carolina " i'll not
permit the dulles goods imported to he collected
within her limits. The Federal Government will be
driven nen to abolish her ports ports OF entry SO
long as the duties are not permitted to be co leced.
How will this proceeding operate on the condition of
me state and particularly OF the City? All foreign
tade VIII CEASE because a vessel attempting to enter
port other than port OF entry liable 10 70 eiture
| Fessei ana cargo. Commerce being annihated our
merchants must 20 elsewhere to do business CAPITAL
4 "hich depends on trade for employment must 90
MN mem Wharf property will be worth nothing;
mere WIZ be nothing 10 land or ship. Dry docks and
,pyaids Will be valueless; there will be no vessels
| ~ iepaiI. lie number ofvAcant houses will be so
| idise maj mouse rents will be greatly reduced No
| new pulluhes 'hen would be erected and mechanics
mus. eIiisra.e win the merchants. Factors must fol-
70" te whose rice and cotton will be sen,
for gale to other States Cotton instead ~ ere;
4 down Iron la.,