The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-09-09


this is not lhs Gase, do, the ntlieir spa,n.s
Ephelts and speeches cnfef ;jnto Ssncli elab.s
orata "details to prove, not OIL HAT South
Carolina has resources 8hieha&il ,bas ssuffi-
cleDt 10 protect her from any attempt that
may be used TO cosfce her--for SO FAR It may
pc regarded assthe dictute of prudence, to
determine before land whether they are
prepared to encounter the perlis which may
asslli then, before tho other States have
time 10 follow their example, supposipg il
does produce that result but also to prove
that the State is capable Of maintaining
alone respectable position among tho ma
tions OF The earth? Tho pamphlet "Seces-
sion Practically Considered," under the
signature Of "Rutledge," is devoted 10 an
elaborate Investigation Of what would be
the resourccs and revenue Of the State If
she stood alone, and a calculation us to
what would be tho cost of sustaining the
Government Of the new Republic.
In many of the speeches OF their leaders.
which haze heard, while they put forth
prominently the Argument, that if we make
an issue with the General Government, the
other Southern States will be forced to ioin
with US, yet dwell with such complacency1
and satisfaction upon the comparison Of
South Carolina with foreign States, moro
insignificant in size and resources, who
have successfully maintained their inde.
pendence, as proves that they contemplate
our placing ourselves in similar position.
These positions have been maintained in
some Of MIR. Rhetrs speeches, in tho speech
|'ot Mr.. Colcock ut the May Convention, aud
by Col. Gregg and Gen. Adams, in their
recent addresses in Charleston. One Of
thc last named gentlemen, (Col. Grcgg,) in
discussing Inc argument, that the secession
Of South Carolina would cut her off from
tiie commerce OF the other States, assumed
as an hypothesis, thut 'f all the rest Of
North America were sunk in the ocean,
anu that South Carolina remained an island
WIN nothing but Europe on The one hand
anu Asia OH the other" this would not ruin
us; ana he took the position, that in the
event OF separate secession, our situation
with regard tothc other Southern States,
would not be more dlsadvantageous, than
would be under his supposed contingent
cy. we adduco this not with n view of
pointing out in!acy, which is transparent,
ol assuming the two cases to be Identical
or even analogous in their effects; but to
prove, that the idea of permanent nation
amy Tor South Carolina is one, which can
be traced III all tic speeches of the scces-
sion leaders.
Now may be met by the argument, that
although these leaders feel assured, ihat
secession will cause other States To unite
with us, still it is the par, OF wisdom to
prove what our condition will be, if ,ha,
hope should fail US.
This arguments, perhaps, a sufficient
Jus'ihcation 0! those who honestly believe
that our secession now, will produce the
effect which they assert il viii. But we
contend that, with many OF the leaders, it is
growing and Strengthening convection
thal u inc State now seccdcs, she must bidc
her iate-alonc Ahd We do complain
that, while this 10 their conviction, that they
are dcceivIng the people, by holding out to
them false hopes; ;of their example iy other
Southern States.
Il !s manly it is honest! thus to take
advantage OF the brave. spirit, %. u generons
peoplc-lhus to ntgeSupon them, that tlle,
other States wilinGllpw their exahple!sif
they have but theiherosm and daring 10,
take the Initiative; md when, by such an. an
pcals, they have blinded heln;to tIiei,iis.
tatesof prndehce 10 load ihea,{ into d i.tcas :;
ure which they have not contemplated. and
ior which they arc not prepared.
III may be practicabiG torpusc people TO
a'par;icular measure ul,.yesis ancc. and In
trust 10 their spirit and yalur TO ,ueel a,iy
unexpected danger TINT may arise, but, for
The formation oI Il new government. some.
thing more is requisite than bo!,iness, sDiri,
anu bravery; It requires cooincss, nrudcrcc.
foresight, and many other qualities, to The
exercise OF which, strong excitement and
Passion are far from favorable
we believe that tic people of SouthN
Carolina are prepared TO encounter am
dangers which may threaten them in Their
resistance 10 opprcss:on, but the formation
OF separate, isolated, nationot s.cist.nce isa
measure which they do not contemplate.
aud tor which they are mol prepared.
Let then those leaders who do not he's
licve that secession will produce an Union
OF the Southern Sia,cs boldly avow their
beiet-let them tell the people that they
think that the State eau stand alone. and
that The ''ohJcct, end and aim of their
movement Is TO establish the separate Re.
public Of Caroliaa--and they will then
perceive, what portion their present ranks
will follow them. Let them do this i'm the
upper districts, especially where the scccs-
sion party has dIsclamcd all intention of
producing separate State existence.
1t they co no, do so, it may he that tie
people may be hood -ninkcd, and lead blind
told INTO The chasm gaping before them, but,
If they succeed, what fearful reckoning will
these leaders have 10 render to their trust.
ing, dcludcd, riincd followers!
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