The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-05-17

opinion, that if but ono state should secede, heI
general governmeat would attempt TO enforce the
laws Of Goagress. and coerce her into obedience.
have since seen nothing tosehange. but much
10 confirm that opinion. II Is the province Of Con-
gress to make laws, but the duty of the President
to execute them. This duty he solemnly swears
heswill perform. The President and his Secretary
of State, have given repeated assurances that this
duty will be discharged. 1 know of no reason to
doubt, that It will bo attempted. The army and
navy are placed at the command of the President
for that purpose. Tho President and Mr.. Web
ster belong to q school of politicians who do not
admit the right of state to secede from the I'm.
Webster, and expressed with reference 70 South
Carolina. They hold that resistance to the laws
of Congress by state is lawless resistance, and
to be treated as tho act Of rebels and traitors.
Ihave taken mucl, pains 10 ascertain, whetherif |
South Carolina secedes, she will be sustained by
the act, or the public opinion Of any other state.
The result is conviction that our example would
not be followed, nor our conduct Justified by any
one Of them. They evidently do not regard Tho
past the present state OF things, as j,stifying
secession. And I fear they believe, that South
Carolina from factious and selfish motives, is enc
dsavoring to involve them in contest without
cause, and would look upon . struggle sbetween
the general government and this STATE, withont
concern and without sympathy. -
From the foregoing views it viii be seen that
my opinions arc, that the Southern States cannot
remain in the Union, without degradation and nl.i
matey, tho abolition ofyslayery that slavery is Of
greater value to the South than tho Union that
secession is the only remaining alternative, but
that it should bo rcsorted to only as the means Of
establishing a confederacy Of one moro slave
holding states that at this time the secession Of
| South Carolina, would neither be followed nor
justified by any other state that the secession of
South Caronn at the present time, the other
Southern S.e.es remaining In the I1nicn, would
only aggravate the evils Of which we Justly COM
plain, and would be inexpedient and unwise: that
in such event, force would DO attempted by the
federal government, and the great object of seces-
sion seriously hindered and endangered, il not ut
terry defeated. -.
have now, gentlemen, expressed my opinions
upon the deeply interesting points indicated in
your communication, with the frankness and can
dor, that becomes me a representative and cit
izen. commend them to your scrutiny and your
consideration. They opinions deliberately
formed after tho long and ANXIOUS reflection of
one who has NO ambition but to promote the true
glory of South Carolina. dare not hope that
they will be acceptable to all of you-thcy may
not be 80 to any of you-but I am willing to sub
NIT them TO tho test of time and truth, as am
content and resolved, 10 stand fall in the public
estimation, by them, and upon them. In public
CT in private life, should uo. feel that am pa
triot if did not, at whntever personal sacrifice,
try to save my native state from the disasters of
blind and needless counsels. But South Caroina
is the home of my affections, and her bosom shall
bc my grave. der cause shuii 90 my cause, her
lato my fate.
! cannot lay down my pen without this ndmon-
, ition to my fellow citizens. Before you sccede
. make up your mind, unalternbly, that the step
taken can never be retraced without unalter-
, able shame and despair. Be, then, resolved to
meet all it's hazards and all its trials. II you
not ready to lay down life and fortune. you not
prepared for secession. The North cannot and
h will not part with you, and tho treasure she
o wrngs from you, without mighty struggle. She
will use force IL she dare, and thero be nerd. b.
sure, before you move, that you cannot fail, ans
be sure, also, that success will bring the realiza
: ton of the bright hopes and happy visions, tha
lead you on 70 the contest. If you induced t.
favor secession by the idea, which some of thos,
;, who arc clamorous for that measure hold ont Il
o you--that You would be caressed and coaxed b,
kindness and concessions, to return to the Union
i entreat you to discard the vain and unworth!
# hope. Secession for such purpose would be
d paltry and miserable tTifling with tie graves
o question of the century. would scorn with a
e proud . dsdain, as you could feel, any unmanl.
. appeal to your fears. mako no such appeal.
d only conjure you, to bring homo to your own con
sciousness the realities of this great issue, befor
7, the sword Is drawn. That bright weapon ono
y drawn, can never be sheathed without dishonor-
% Retreat in such contest, would be disastrous
r, and infinitely moro disgraceful than defeat Eth
% er would be irretrievable ruin. Then, be wise.
resolved, be ready, before you strike! have no
% purpose, hope, OF a wish, that is not insep
. stabIy connected with the destiny Of South Caro-
. lima, and with the help Of God, her destiny sha
o be my destiny. 4 .,s
" I am, gentlemen, With great respect your ODE
10 dent and humble servant, .e.s..... ... ,s..,
,-l ay5.., ...4s sARMISTEAD BURT.
l. To Capt. THoHAs B. Bran, and others. e.
). Gp1nental. - :
=. 1l,...---- -
Married. At IAurens e, H - a., the ieven;no