The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-10


for the most miserable fate which has befalen
any people. II will then, az a permanent sectional
minority, have NO defence against the tyranny Of
Government combining all the vices Of the COR
dssPotism.
We know the consequences which will follow
failure in our effort 10 maintain liberty. We
clearly that triumphant exertion Of the power
Of the Federal Government in subjugxting State
will vastly increase that power. and greatly accelc-
rate the change, already far advanced OF our fede-
rativc system into consolidated central despotsm.
We see, also, that South Carona will not suffer the
consequences of this change alone, but that the rest
of the southern States must suffer in equal de-
gree. They will have NO safeguard against the
Central Government, strengthened by crushing OPP
position. and rendered by triumphant force what
our northern enemies have long been endeavoring
TO make 1t by fraudulent usurpation--the supreme
government of consolidated nation. The SOW
ereignty Of southern Stale cannot be destroyed
without the loss Of their sovereignty by all the
others. We are aware of the responsibility of do
ing an act which may hasten these consequences.
We feel the respect which we owe to States having
a common interest, threatened by common dan
ger, but not equally persuaded with ourselves of
the nccessity Of action. And nothing would in
duce US 10 take without their concurrence,
which il involve them in its consequences, but
thorough conviction of the necessity which urges
us, and Of our right 70 do 80.
Addressing citizens of southern States, associated
TO maintain the rights of the South, we cannot i'm
secession We hold il to be ths great State right,
without which all others ar nugatory and incapa-
bic of being enforced; and your position assures us
that your faith cannot be differed from ours.
Nor can wo regard il a. necessary any farther to
dscuss the wrongs which have been inflicted on the
southern States. They may be denied by those who
shut their eyes TO them, but you do not belong to
that class. Southern and State Rights men may
differ to the necessity Of exercising the right OF
secession at particular time, on account OF those
wrongs. But, a. certainly as the right exists, each
State must possess the right Of judging for herself
Carolina decides that honor and safety require her
TO seccde she has the right to leave the Confederacy
peaceably and without molcstation. IL the act OF
secession is not permitted to be peaceable It will
bo from usurpation Of power by the Federal Govern
ment, not from the nature Of the act performed by
South Carolina. Accustomed a. we have been TO
violations of the Constitution, and Of the rights of
the southern States by the Federal Government,
we have TO look forward to the probability of another
outrage by that Government, the attempt to force
the State TO remain in the Union. We suppose theat
tempt will be made, fthe other southern States per-
init It. Those Statcs must decide for themselves whe
Their they will permtit South Carolina must decide
for herself whether 1t - necessary to secede Her
sister States Of the South will have right to com
plain that she forces them into position where
they must either interposs to prevent her sujuga-
ton, or, by consuming to it. abandon their own
sovereignty, and lay Themselves at the mercy of a
despotic power. In seeding South Carolina will
simply do an act which all southern men who be-
lieve in the existence of State rights at all must
admit that she has perfect right to do and which
she regards absolutely necessary. She will be
acting ON her sacred right. She will be acting as
she would have to act If none Of the other southern
States In exxtence. and she were the only OBJ
ject of aggression by the northern States and the
Federal Government. She 10 not answerable for the
usurpations and injustice which may be committed
sgainst her. And for her sister States Of the south
to ask Of her to refrain from exercise Of right
which she regards Astpdspensable for self preser-
vation, would be an Interference with her free &C
ton of far different character from any with
which she can be charged towards them. Sove'
lima would be placing her sister States q the South
under no constrainE If they should find them
selves in . position Of copstraint, 1t woHld COME
South Carolina. But if they should insist upon her
retaining from the exercise Of her right, and sub
hitting 70 condition which she regards a. intoie-
rable, they would make themselves parties with
the Federal Government in placing an unjustifia-
bic constraint upon q sovereign and an equal.
We wish that the necessity for separate action by
South Carolina which we have contemplated may
be averted. We confide in the gallant spirits
whom we address. There may be some hope otthe
assembling of Southern Congresa TO devise mea-
sures of redress and relief upon which some of the
injured States may unite. We have heretofore
been willing to sacrihce much for southern union.
We still are. We do not desire to lead, but to fol-
low. Propose any efectual measures for wildcat
ing our common rights, and providing for our
common safety, and We will heartily unite with you
in carrying them out. we should regret ., moas
we have the strongest desire TO act in concert.
But we feel deep conviction that we have not
acted heretofore with any precipitation, and that
we are in tho right in the dissemination which we
have formed The self abasement Of snbmission
appears to " unworthy Of men still pretending TO
be free. The gloomy prospect of inevitable ruin,
to follow submssion, appears to ~ more formid-
able than any dangers to be encountered In con-
tending alone, against whatever odds, for our
rights. We have come to the deliberate conclu-
sion that if it be fate to be left alone in the
struggle, alone we must vindicate our liberty by
secession.
Mr.. GREGG stated that the committee would
report upon the other matters referred to them,
and especially in reference to the more perfect
organization of the Southern Rights Associa-
tons tomorrow.
On motion of General j. H. ADAMS, the reso-
buttons and address were ordered to lie on the
table, and were made the special order of the
day for tomorrow, at 10 o'clock, and ordered to
be printed.
On motion by Mr.. ADAMS, the letter of Mr..
CHEvEs was also ordered to be printed.
On motion by Mr.. GREGG, the convention
then adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
The San Francisco Herald of the LIST April has
the following paragraph
"Arpa scIArIoN OF Con- Dusr.--By an advertise
ment in another column our readers will sec that
the bankers of San Francisco have entered into
mutual agreement to pay seventeen dollars an
ounce for gold dust. They seem resolved not to
permit the United States assayer to monopolize all
the profits on gold.''
This article demonstrates the wisdom of Con-
gress in authorizing tho assay office already e.
fablished in California. Until mint shall go into
operation the assay Office now in operation in San
Francisco will continue to be Of much benefit TO
the gold diggcrs. The brokers and bankers have
entered into a mutual agreement to pay seventeen
dollars ounce for gold dust, says the article
above quoted. Before the United States Treasury
Department sent assayer to San Francisco, au.
thorized by law, to afix the stamp of the United
States bars and ngots, indicating the value and
degree of fineness the dggers of gold were not 20
much favored by the brokers and bankers. Six
teen dollars ounce for gold dust was as much -
the bankers and brokers then thought the gold
diggers entitled to. The Secretary Of the Trea-
sury has done well and wisely in ordering the gold
stamped by the assaycr. Of the United States in
California to DO received for the public dues. He
has conferred a signal favor on the wcarisome
gold..diggers Of California, and added nearly 20
per Cent 10 the value of the material secured by
ta -. Is