The southern press., 1851-08-06
fTeStQenl.
JOHN RUTLEDGE, ESQ.

Vice Presidents
Hon. Daniel E. Huger, Charles Aston, senr,
Thomas Bennett, VIM ii. Hayward,
William Aiken, DR.. James Moultrie,
James Rose, Henry A. Middleton,
j. B. Grimball, Arthur G. Rose,
Mitchell King, James HI. Ladson,
I. !. l.. Hutchinson Geo. N. Reynolds, jr.,
John Schnierle, Charles Macbeth,
Gen. s. Cruikshank, DR.. Thos. Y. Simons,
Dr. Sam'l H. Dickson, Thaddeus Street,
Henry R. Frost, ]. F. Steinmyer,
James Adger, DR.. st. John Phillips,
H. w. Peronneau, James Chapman,
VIM. Bull Pringle, Col. A. p. Hayne,
Charles T. Lowndes, George Thompson,
C. G. Memminger, John Klnck,
J. L. Bowie, Col B. +. Hunt,
Dr. Benz. Huger, Jas. s. Shingler,
W. C. Dukes, Thos o. Elliott,
Dr.. Elias Horbeck, Edward McCrady,
w. NJ Lawton, Edward p. Milliken,
John Vinyard, Col. A. H. Beln,
James Poyas, John ii. Honour,
Hugh r. Banks, James Lamb
William Bird, Thomas Ryan,
W. III. Houston, DR.. c. c. Pritchard,
NJ G. Mordecai James M. Caldwell,
James Welsman, James E. Walker,
w. III. Gilliland, Henry Gourdin,
Or. E. Geddings, James Robertson.
Secretaries
c. Richardson Miles, Edward J.. Pringle,
Thomas Frost, John Seigling, junr.,
Samuel ID. Stoney, Chas. III. West junr.
The following letters were then read by A.
G. Magrath, esq, having been received in reply
to the invitations which had been addressed to
these gentlemen TO be present at the meeting.
The reading of these letters aroused the meet
ting 10 the highest point. At the announcement
of the name of the venerable Langdon Cheves,
repeated cheers strongly told how deep was the
respect cherished by our citizens for this emf
nent statesman, so truly worthy Of the appela-
ton Of our Ncstor, in this momentous crisis.
The letter from Colonel Or, and those from the
other gentlemen, which are published, were also
received with marks Of the highest appreciation (:
LETTER OF LANeDoS cHEvEs.
SAVANNAH, July 26, 1851.
GEKTLEMES:-I have had the honor to re-
ceive your note Of the 22d instant. am both
fattered and obliged by the invitation which it
contains, as we'll us by the manner Of IL; and /
regret very much that it is altogether out Of my
power TO attend the meeting concur entirely in
the object of the meeting have several times
within the last twenty years entered publicly my
protest against separate State action. OF the
right Of State TO secede from the Union,
have never had a a shadow of doubt That
right is the right Of a sovereign State. A right
Of which a sovereign State cannot be diyested I;
and the only real question is: Are the Sites Of
the Union sovereign States! or which, sup
pose, no Southern man will venture to express
a doubt Bot think separate secession, though
an undoubted, legal and public right, is scarcely
- 81 q. - -
ern State IN reference 10 her sister States Of the
South Their relations Of unity are 80 many,
so homogeneous, and 80 strong, as TO amount 10
destiny. God and nature have combined them
by such social adhesion, such homogeneousness
Of interests, by such great and benign sympa-
thies of blood, Of character, and historical ac-
tiou, az to make their separation deplorable, dan
perous and unwise And what reason is there
to despair OF Their union? The precise question
under deliberation is not year old. | think,
indeed, this Is more than time enough TO make
US certain Of our injuries, they are so great and
obvious, and TO satisfy Us that we cannot exist
under the present government Of the United
States, without being degraded and oppressed
people bat should think il, nevertheless,
short time within which for people TO be re-
quired TO decide on a question so momentous as
great revolutionary change Of government; I;
for such, undoubtedly, secession must be con-
sidered. For myself | think we ought to Sc
ccde,-but not alone and have an ardent hope,
and sanquine belief, that the Southern States
will resist, by unit d effort, trough not on the
instant. We have few, perhaps no examples Of
such speed in the movement of nations, and, II
we have any, believe the results will not be
found TO have been always happy. pray God
10 inspire your deliberations with his WISDOM
his truth, ard his power.
am gentlemen, with great respect, your obe-
dent servant LAxeDoS CHEvEs
Messrs. A. G. Magra'h, and others, commit
tee, &C., Charleston, 8. G.
LETTER OF Hon. J. L. ORR.