The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-05-10

We have implvred them to lead us. We
have mplored them to cooperate with u.s.
They will do neither, after pcdging them
selves to do both. Now, then, that we take
our fate into our own hands, are we not ell
titled to their sympathy-thei hearty good
wishes for our success? For my part, if
they give us these, it is all would desire in
the present state of things in the South A
Southern Congress now would be our ruin.
With Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Mis-
souri, Tenncsscc-im such Congress, what
would bc its counsel Submission submis-
sion for themselves, submission for It's and
should We in disgust retire from the Con-
gress we ourselves had invoked, or cast their
c"unsels under our feet, might we not excite
the resentment and alienation of our sister
Southern States composing it2 l rejoice
therefore that no Southern Congress will
meet; for no Southern Congress can meet to
redress the wrongs of the South Alone we
must move; and alone it is best for us to
move, III the present condition Of things
So fatal would be the tendency of South
ern Congress that should not be at all sur
prsed if, before long, one is gotten up by
the administration at Washington, or is pro-
posed to us by the most thorough submission
States. General Jackson's cabinet, it is now
know nwas the author OF Mr.. Watkins Leigh's
mission to South Carolina, in 1888. The
General held out nothing but the most de-
flying threats to us, rs the administration
now affects to do; wkile his secret fears
were displayed in his secret instigaton of
this mission, to bring us to acquiescence in
tue tariff compromise. Stranger things
than these may take place, if South Caro-
lima sccedes from the Union.
However matters may have stood former
~, the only alternative now presented to us
Is submission or secession, by South Carolina
alone. Now, us we have been for secession
by South Carolina alone, heartily laborcd
with our friends who were in favor of the
cooperation Of other Southern States, since
their policy has become inpracticable, ought
they not TO join us in the last and only meas
ure Of redress that is left9 They may have
doubts Of its success, as we have had of
their policy but, with their consciousness
of the wrongs of the South, and the dangers
which environ us, and their high regard for
the honor of our State, can they counsel us
to submissiona Will they any longer divide
from US, and spread weakness throug ghout our
counsels? Will they not rather join us, and
make with us one brave and united effort
for redress and independence, by the seces-
sion OF South Carolina alone from the Union
They must and will soon be with us. They
cannot join the Union party which is soon
to arise in South Carolina.
Secession, then-sccession by South Car
olina alone-is to be our policy. Let US
look it fairly in the face, and try to estimate
lis probable consequences. Probability is
all which exists for US justly in the future.
Certainty is in the past and present only.
In the first place, in seeding from The |
Union, we would declare free-trade ALSO |
lutely as it now exists with all the States |
south OF the Potomac and Ohio Rivers. |
There would be no change whatever SO far |
as our action is concerned, in any Of the re
|atIons we now hold towards these States. |!
All their productions-cotton. wheat, tobac-
20, live stock, will enter our State MS hereto |
lore, free of aIl charge or duty whatever.
With respect to the productions of the other
States now i'll the Union, and all foreign ma
ions, We would lay small duty ON impor-
'ations not exceeding ten ereent. ad yaIorem
seven per cent. was the first duty laid by our
ancestors in putting the present Government
INTO mt operation, with heavy war debt to
discharge.) Thirty per cent. is the duty
now , exacted by the general government in
all the ports of tho United States on the
chief articles Of Importation Our duty of
ZEN per cent will thus be twenty per cent.
ess than the duty exacted in the ports of
.he Union. The effect must be that goods
n Charleston must be twenty per- cheap
sr than i'll the ports of the United States.
10 the agricultural interest of the State. no
one can doubt the benefit. Our planters
and farmers, and all other consumers in tho
State, must be supplied with goods twenty
per cent. cheaper than they have heretofore
them. Its clear, therefore, that
10 the great mass of tile people of South
Carolina, secession, under such circumstances
must be advantageous. Property Of all
kinds must be more valuable, because more
profitable in South Carolina than where the
greater burdens exist. There is but one in
terest which may be injuriously affected, and
hat is the mercantile interest. Trade ia
very t'mid. 1t is liable to panics; aud when
is uuimpaired it is not easy TO
change the channels of commerce, without
some loss, although that lhange NAV be
from less TO more profitable channels. Our
merchants will have to change their impor-
Eat'ons from New York and Boston to iiv-
espooi and Havre. but they will have their
goods twenty per cent. cheaper than in, the
ports Of the United States. The merchants
IN the interior Of our own State will have
no 'nducement to 60 to New York, as thew
pow 90, TO lay in their supplies. They will
make = Ine'r purchases in Charleston. Here