The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-27


shall be my fats-lst what may come, shall stand
fall with South Carolina, the fond mother Of my
birth and my affections. In the advice and coun-
sells that may give, am willing, before the tri-
bunal Of an impartial history to abide BY the judg
II has been nay fate, for the last five years, to
take, your representative, responsible postion
in the national councils Of the confederacy have
been made to feel the exposure OF q struggling and
isolated minority to an arrogant majority, VINO,
feeling the vulgar strength OF sefsustainlng men,
bers, have resorted to all the machinery OF taunt-
ing cadence and a sordid press to put under the
baa the State whose representative was. have
always had much to sustain me in trying situations
My conviction was, that South Carolina occupied
q position from which she could lock down with the
luxury Of scorn upon trucking partzans and trad
ing politicians, who find 1t convenient to assall her
TO subserve their ends. She has been stumbling
block to many, who, If they had dared, would have
placed their treacherous foot upon her. say, here,
that had rather encounter all the hazard OF debate
with fifty senators, or any hazards that might pre-
sent themselves outside OF her limits, than differ
with single sincere friend in this assembly, as to
any measure calculated to affect the dignity, honor
and rights of our cherished commonwealth.
am persuaded that our difference of opinion will,
in the end, be more apparent than real. / may well
question the policy Of a celebrity that may be too
much actuated by gallant zeal and uncalculating
chivalry. II, with the more prudent resolution OF
Ulysses, perhaps without its wisdom, | may be dis
posed to restrain the mpetuous courage OF Domede,
shall have none of the resentful temper of Achil-
les, the grumbiing consciousness of Thirsites.
No, my countrymen, my heart is too much in the
cause you are engaged in, to suffer me to DO any
thing but what is prompted by solemn duty.
1t is true that the proceedings of this body will
not have the sanction and authority OF law but
they will carry with them, throughout the State,
all the influence which eloquence, patriotism, and
energy can impart. They will have committed adj
vocates TO maintain and enforce them.
The address which has been read contains re-
cital Of imposing truths arrayed with an eloquent
sternness which has commanded my admiration
and respect. 1t is both truthful and striking
statement of wrongs and impending dangers to
Southern institutions Other Southern States can
not condemn it without condemning their own reso-
buttons and solemn pledges The paper has inn
pressed upon unmistakable marks Of sincerity and
deliberate purpose Its author or authors, are
ready TO stand by il, and make 1t good in the true
import ofthe terms, lat every hazard, and to the
last extremity" By others it may be differently
regarded. Some who will give it their sanction,
may look upon 1t as paper OF popular agitation
only. Some may even regard it as the nucleus of
State party, to be used thus far and no farther.
choose to regard it rs solemn beginning that may
result in I'm portant end that will deeply affect
the destinies and interests Of this country And,
as my friend from st. Johns has said on another
occasion, 1--WE should take no beginning without
| looking to its probable end.
| The proceedings contemplated will require South
Carolina to tread her way through narrow pass,
as yet untrodden and UNEMPLOYED. Some are pre-
pared to tread it with confidence and boldness and
to find its termination by experiment-as Suwar-
row said TO have found his enemy by the point
of the bayonet. Others on the contrary, insist on
the prudence OF reconnaissance before the probable
Termination shall be Indicated.
! The object Of the address is not only to put the
State on the track of separate secession, but by the
measures contemplated, TO commit the State, now,
to that determination. In other words, 1t excludes
the idea that the State will have 1T in its power to
adopt any other measure. The Legislature is re-
CURED, as far as their proceedings can impose an
obligation, to call the Convention together, and
that body then Is TO put the State, as soon as it can,
on the trial Of separate independence.
m rel To others connected
with IT, and which have been presented alterna-
tives, have nothing to Disguise have no opinion
to retraet, no sentiment to suppress. shall, at
least be consistent with myself. In setting forth
our wrongs, and endeavorng to rouse sentiments Of
resentment to them, and in preparing the public
mind for Of eilectual resistance to the
croachments Of the federal government on Southern
institutions, through the treachery Of violated
constitution have endeavored To do my duty to the
best Of my ability, and have no step TO take back
wards. What step forward, is the question. Whilst
measures were under consideration, in which the
saveholding and non-slayeholding States were
At issue, expressed myself freely, but with the
circun spection of one who was willing TO let
his remarks be carried out to their consequences.
The representatives of the planting States, spoke
out with signal unanimty in maintaining the resolu
ions of three different legislatures 1 am proud to
say, that the resolutions Of South Carolina, COM
pared with some others, were in terms moderate,
IN tone firm, and IN purpose deliberate. All these
resolutions were regarded as mutual pledges and
covenants for the Southern States to make common
members conferred together, spoke together, and
at enc time would have been prepared to sink or
swim in common peril. They regarded them
selves engaged in o common struggle, aud their
dettinies as involved in a common fate. For atime
the minds Of all true men Of the South, were lifted
above the miserable contentious Of party and
the jealoucs ofneighboring strife Under the infu-
Of this suspicious state ofthinss, finished one
Of my speeches with high note FROM the Dismede
Of the old Thirteen-our neighbor Georgia
Equality or Independence" And l say now, If
the Southern States mad become united, they would
have made good this declaration. They have II in
their power TO make il good ut any time and they
will be untrue to themselves and posterty, 1t they
do not. shall shrink from no trial that may be
efectual, and shall only object to such measures,
a., in my opinion, must result in failure and dis
somtture. IL measures cannot be devised-as 1
believe they cannot-to restore lost eluaiity-an
equality lost by measures brought forth to propi-
tiate Northern prejudice am willing to take mea-
sures for an honorable independence Of such States
as by their conunction assume the attitude and
invest themselves with the attributes Of national
sovereignty.
As this i a grave conclusion, or one that will 80
be regarded beyond this meeting, must submit
the proposition upon which II Is founded.
The constitution Of these States was intended,
by ts express and delegated powers, to impose limi
tations on the department Of the federal govern
ment For some years these limitations were OBJ
served in good faith; and after it was said that
some of them had been violated, 1t was thought
that the States by the interposion OF their sover
eighties, could enforce observance Of them. The
securities Of good faith have long since disap-
p<ared and the power of the States TO inerpose to
protect their reserved rights has not, and will not,
be recognized by the federal authority. All those
provisions Of the constitution intended for the pro-
lection Of minority, have been perverted by art
full construction or fraudulent compromise. Under
these combined influences the Southern states have
not only lost their influence, but will become worse
than dependent provinces. They viii become pro-
scribed political OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES from
the high honors Of the federal government, and
with their property and institutions liable to
fsca,ion and unrroyoked invasion.
The Southern States no longer be the nurse
Of great Statesmen. The ambition Of the eagles
fight will be no longer seen. We may have crows
and duoklngs who will be ready TO be satisfied
with the crumbs and garbage of office. There are
those who will be willing to make an easy transition
10 degradation. by being candidates for the second