New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-13
me what il would not for q

l.. AwrhC n II
Ple'ey I'd gradual but unceasing encroach-
ing W u" - n the exercise ofthe right OF seces-
mems - allowed by the attempt on the part
ton " emit Of this confederasy TO subugate
o. VIC sS.,olira. il is better that we should meet
.,,smpt shile we still have some spirit and
49, nover q resistance lett.
some .,e to submit TO the condition OF a con.
Ia nsoole we think it less dishonorable not
qus ountil we have first been conquered. And
p~,tbing coud add to the necessity which we
L.iaye exists fcr q withdrawal from the existing
ir,;on il would be the denial Of the right of Sc
sn..ion For tie denial Of that right indicates of
;,,slf extreme Danger. The right of secession
Ia. leretofore, and in better days, been regarded
a. unouestionsbls by ell Southern politicians with
the exception OF an uncomfortable number Of con.
soIidatiobsts And il ever that right can be de-
n;ad without srousing the whole South to sustain
!, The South will be ripe for the most miserable
fste which has ever befaIlen any people. Ii will
then. ~ q permanent sectional minority, have no
defense against the tyranny of a Government
combining all the vices Of the corruptest democ-
racy and the most oppressive foreign despotism.
We know the consequences which will follow
. failure in our effort TO maintain our liberty
We zee clearly that triumphant exertion of the
power of the Federal Government In sublugating
q State, will vastly increase that power, and
greatly accelerate the change, already far ad.
vsnced OF our federal system into a consolidated
central despotism. We see, also, that South
Carolina will not suffer the consequences of this
change alone bat that the rest OF the Southern
States must suffer in an equal degree. They will
have no safeguard against the Central Govern.
mept strengthened by crushing opposition, and
rendered, by triumphant force, what our Northern
enemies have long been endeavoring TO make 1t
bv fraudulent usurpatlon-t the supreme OoVerh-
uent of q consolidated nation.
The ,overeiepty Of one Southern State cannot
be DESTROYS ed without the loss OF their sovereignty
nv all the others We are aware OF the resPon-
sibilitv OF doing an act which may hasten THESE
con,eGuepces. We feel the respect whlcn we
owe 10 States having & common interest,", 'nreaI-
eped by common danger, out not equs"y Per
.nodad with ourselves OF the necessity OF actOns.
Al no,bipe would induce as TO take, without
r., concurrence a course which is to involve
tbem in its consequences, bat thorough convic'
ton of the necessity which urges US, and oil our
right TO do 30.
Addressing citizens Of the Southern States, as
sociated to maintain the rights OF the South we
cannot imagine il 70 be necessary TO argue ABOUT
the right OF secession. We hold 1t to be the great
State right. without which ell others are nugato
~ and Incapable Of being enforced; and your 90
sition assures us that your faith cannot be dlner
ent from ours
Nor can we regard it a. necessary any f1rtner
10 discuss the wrongs which have been lnnlcteu
on the Southern States. They may be denied 0y
not belong 20 that class. Southern and STATE
rights men may differ as to the necessity oil ex-
ercisipg the right Of secession at particular
time on account Of those wrongs But as GER
tainy ss the right exists each State must possess
the right Of Judging for herself as to the occasion
and time for it's exercise. If South Carolina de
cdes that honor and safety require her TO secede,
abe has the right to leave the Confederacy peace
ABLY and without moeEtation. IL the act OF se.
cession is not permitted to be peaceaole, II Will
be from usurpation Of power by the Federal
Government, not from the nature Of the act per
formed by South Carolina.
Accustomed az we have been TO violations OF
the Constitution. and Of the rights OF the Southern
States by the Federal Government, we have to
took forward to the probability Of another outrage
by that q overnment in the attempt 20 force the
State TO remain in the Union. We suppose the
attempt will be made, if the other Southern States
permit it. Those States must decide for them
selves whether they will permit 1t. South Car.
DINA must decide for herself whether it ia neces-
sary to secede Her sister States of the South
will have no right 10 complain that she forces
them into position whore they must either in
terpose TO prevent her subjugation, or by consent
ing to it, abandon their sovereignty, and lay them.
selves az the mercy Of despOtic power.
In seeding, South COrolina will simply do an
act which all Southern men, who believe in the
existence Of State rights at all, must admit that
she has perfect right TO do, and which she re-
CARDS az absolutely necessary. she Will be act
ing on her sacred right. She will be acting asshe
would have to act If none OF the other Southern
States were in existence, and abe were the only
object of aggression by the Northern States and
the Federal Government She 10 not ans~eraole
for the usurpations and injustice which may be
committed against her. And for her sister States
of the South to ask Of her TO refrain from an ex-
ercise Of right which abe regards as indisPensa-
bic for self preservation would be an interference
with her free action, of a far different character
from any with which she can be charged toward
them. Sovereigns are equals. In seeding alone,
South Caroline would be placing her sister States
of the South under no constraint.
IL thew should find themselves in position OF
constrAinS il would come from the action OF the
Federal Government, not OF South Carolina out
II they should insist upon her RETAINING from tue
exercise Of her right, and submitting to condl,
ton which she regards as intolerable, they would
make themselves parties with the Federal Gov
eminent, In placing an uD ustiGable constEslnt up
on sovereign and an equal.
We wish that the necessity for separate action
by South Carolina, which We have contemplated
may be averted. w cOnhde In the gallant spirits
whom we address. There may be some nope OF
the assembling Of a Southern Congress. TO devise
measures Of redress and relief upon which some
OF the injured etatesmay unite. We have, here
tofore been willing to sacrifice much for Southern
union. We still are. We do not desire 10 lead
but to follow. Propose any etfectua measures
for our common safety, and we will heartily unite
with you in carry ing them out.
We should regret most deeply to incur the cen
sure Of friends, with whom we have the strongest
desire TO act in concert. But we feel deep con
victon that we have not acted heretofore with
any precipitation, and that We are In the right In
the determination which we have formed. Inc
self abasemeRt OF submission, appears 20 US uh'
worthy Of men still pretending TO be free. The
gloomy prospect Of inevitable ruin, to follow sub
mission. appears TO Us more formidable than any
dangers TO be encountered in oontending alone,
against W hatever odds for our rights We have
come to the conclusion that if it be our fate TO be
left alone in the struggle, alone We must vlndi'
cate our liberty by secession.
Mr.. FICKLIN moved to add 10 the report reso-
luton declaring thar this must be the asst year
that South Carolina will remain in the Union;
that a new year must usher IN Southern Con
or South Carolina as an Independent
Republic