Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-20
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ALABAMA

The following letter from Gov. Collier, to the
Hon. i. G. Shields, the gentleman who received
the Union nomination for Governor, and declined
ii on account bad health and because he hoped
the views Of Gov c ollier would be acceptable to
the Union party, is important as making the last
exposition Of the position of the former:
TUSCALOOSA, May 81, 1851.
Hon. B. G. SHIELDS:
@:-Your letter OF the 24th inst, was handed me
jus, as | was leaving Montgomery, and avail myself
OF the first moment OF leisure to answer it. After re-.
terrng towhat another twelve months may bring about
to effect the peace OF The country" you say to me
"your letter of the 3lst March to Col John NJ Curke
of Wilcox, expresses the sentiment that the South
should honestly abide by the compromise acts without
attempting disruption OF the Union for any thing
tanned in them; aud in this sure, you have the
concurrence of nineteen tweneths of the people of
Alabama But, sir, in behalf of the same people,
respectfully request that you make known your views
as to the part which Alabama and the other Southern
States should take in case that South Carolina should
attempt to secede from the Union, and the General
Government by ludicious and firm measures, should
exert itself TO prevent such secession. In such event,
will you as Governor of Alabama, should you be re.
elected, give your countenance and aid to the seced
ing State, or to the General Government In other
words it called upon in pursuance OF law, by the
thortles OF the General Government, to employ the
influence and powers OF your position, Whatever they
other Southern States, especially those contiguous to
Carolina, to maintain the supremacy OF the Constitu-
ton and laws OF the Union, will you act almativey
or negatively upon such cali2"
have not been an naentive observer of the political
movements in the United ates for the last two years
and have watched with no little sociude the conover-
sly between the Northern and Southern sections of the
Union growing out OF dissimary in their local in
stitutlons. This controversy received new impetus
about eighteen years ago, and must be admitted has
wldened and deepened to most alarming extent with
In that period. pass over the recent causes that have
stimulated the opposition OF many of our Northern
brethren to the institution of slavery the South and
address myself to the question you have proposed
NY mind revolts from the contemplation of war
like collision between the Government and any one
OF the members OF the Confederacy. No territorial
limits could be prescribed to the begerent operations
nor could the end OF such controversy b. loreseen.
1t would unsheath myriad of swords, and perhaps in
volve the members of the Union in the most bloody
civil war known to modern times, if not to all history.
AS the chet Executive Mag istrate oil a Sovereign
STATE cannot consent TO commit myself to any def-
mite course of policy 10 the event that South Carolina
shall attempt to dissolve her foderative connection with
her sisters. 1t is not pretended that any other State
has the right 10 dictate the seeding State, to re-
strain by force the execution OF its purpose; but |
dersand it is supposed that every other State upon The
requsiton OF the General Government should lend its
aid to prevent such result. Upon this hypothesis is
not the dictate Of prudence and duty for the Execu
tive OF Stale to abstain from expressing his intentions
in advance Of an avowa by the Federal authorities, OF
their proposed action! "Jndge nothing before the
time" is the language Of wisdom. Such premature
declaration would expose the Executive to crcism,i
not rdicue, and considering his official position, might
disparage the State.
On all matters of public policy, when official dutyl
required me 10 decide, have not hesitated nor shall
be tardy IN forming, or reserved in expressing, my
opnlons. But to make question in advance OF the
fac,s cut OF which ii may arise, and decide upon n.y.
pohesls depending on contingency which may never
occur, or IT occur at all must certainly have
prehension and present aspects utterly beyond any
rpyInJI
puation ecklessness and presumption say of
folly and absurdy. A sovereign State aud her Chief
Magistrate should be free to act discretion may dc
tate when the tacts kno,on and should not suffer
embarrassment by Joresone conclusions.
Should circumstances to render such course
expedcnt, it may be THAI Alabama and some Of her SIS
ter Southern States would deem it proper to unite in
some conciatory measure with the view of inducing
Carolina TO iorbear her threatened purpose. In view
oil such contingency, should moi decline 10 give d.
rect answer 10 your questions! The leading spirits of
Carolina are bold ardent and fearless, and cannot be
by threats of force. Such course would
only iniuate, and drive them to exremities it would
most certainly deprive this State of all influence with
her sister. The inlercesson of Alabama, with the
sword drawn, would be condemned and ndi gnanty
relected but if rendered in the spirit OF kindness and
Affection without previously declared purpose aid
in the sublugation OF Carolina would be respectfully
received and considered.
acknowledge the right of popular instruction. and
shall certainly yield obedience to the wishes and irec
tons of the people, if required to do that which con-
science does not approve, resign the office of Co
vernon. La respect 10 the matter you PROFOUND, it is
pertinent to remark that the Legislature of Alabama
will be in session before action take place. and
any governor elected or to be eeced, may well be sup
posed to desire conference with the General Assem-
bly,, without first putting forth his specuations upon
a subject so profound.
For the reasons stated cannot, consistently with
sense of public duty respond "Atrmatively or mega
lively" to your inquiries.
AS your questions proposed in behalf of the peo-
Ter fnr he
public eye; therefore hand copy OF it to the "Tusca
oosa Observer" Tor publication Most respectfully,
your ob'dt, servt. Fl. w. COLLIER.
This letter seems to leave i doubtful whether
Gov. Collier would rank himself on the side of
the Union or that of its adyersares, in case of
the secession of South Carolina. 1t is now quite
apparent that the plan of the Disunionsts of Ala
bama and Mississippi is TO encourage South Car
DINA to secede, and then attempt to rally to her
support the people of their own States who, they
well know, are unwilling for any present cause
to abandon the Union. This tact has recently
been disclosed, in manner that admits of no mis-
understanding, by the malcontents of Alabama
A second Convention OF "Southern Rights" Asso-
socations was held at Montgomery on the 10th
instant, under the special auspices of Mr.. Yancey,
and they unanimously adopted the following sig
nifcant preamble and resolutions:
Whereas, in the opinion OF this Convention, events
of recent indicate that OF the sovereign
States of this Union is placing hersein situation to
secede and will secede from the Union:
And whereas, in the opinion OF this body any State
has the right to sede and from the very nature of the
case is the only Judge OF the justice and propriety of
such act
And whereas it is not improbable that the exercise
of such right by the seeding State will he opposed
with arms, by the General Government Therefore BIO
it
Resolved, That if in the event OF any Southern State
for causes which now exist, to secede from The Union
in the opinion OF this Convention, it would become the
duty OF this State of all the other States 10 oppose
with force any attempt upon the palt of the General
Government TO coerce such seeding State
The Convention comprised ninety-three dele
gates representing nineteen Associations, and, Of
Al