The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-12-16

red to this committee. They have
passed, by our own act, beyond our
control. 1t will he admitted, l think
by all, that no action We may take on
them can bind tho convention. Then
why introduce them here? And,
even, if VIC had the right, where is the
necessity for us to pronounce an opin-
ion in our Legislative capacity on
those subjects? Is not the convention
as competent as the Legislature to
judge and determine what decision
the people have made in the recent
election? Will the convention not
DC as much disposed and rs likely as
any Legislature to obey the viii of
the people? Sir, there can be no
doubt of it.
The bill which I had the honor TO
introduce does not presume to indi.
cate any course of action to the con-
vention. sincerely trus: that the
other measures before us, essaying to
do 80, will not be further pressed
Why should we, when there is no
call for it, when there is no necessity
for it, ~hen there is no right for it,
ente: here into the discussion of top
ics which can effect no good: hut
which must inevitably tend powerful
iy to widen, and deepen, aud fret,
and exacerbate the diversity of feel
ing and opinion which now exists
among ns. 1t may be, Sir, it may
be, that events will transpire between
this and the assembling Of the con
vention which viii produce una1,im.
ity Of sentiment among. God grant
that it may be so! From my heart,
and with all my whole heart, do
desre that sc may soon once mere
be able t" say, II the language Of Il
resolution Of our G"nrrai Assembly
e lS40,. thar the People OF. ,l.::.;
STATE have cause to Congratulate
"t.re,nseIses that the party teuJs
which lately weakened the visor {
IT'S counsrls have haplil, ceased. ami
that South Carolina now presents t.
the enemies OF her nolicy and peace
an un'iivi'led front, a".i is rr,arcd,
as size Is resolved, To re,cl. h., al,
proper means, every aggression up.
on her rights AZ a sovereign republic
the instant that aggression is attempt.
ed We duub.!css all desire it,
Then lct US refrain from anything
AMI from everything calculated t. dc.
feat such happy result. lie, Us
not enter nnncccSsariI, and wiIiullv
into the discussion OF these exciting
party questions, lest Iass:oa obtain
the mastery os palri",isln-"lcst We
may eetray "ur trust and lower oar
mind, and party give up what was
meant for mankind. Yea, give up
it may DC in the end our free, our
cherished institutions-give UP it
may be, and forever, our glorious
blood-bought liberty.
Let US all here now. at this session
OF the General Assembly. bend our
uH.ted Efforts to allay and remove as
far as possible those unfortunate par
ty feuds which Of late hay- torn and
taceratea the bosom Of our State
Let us all strive together so to dis.
pose of the questions before us, that
when our work shall be done. a.sd tho
time arrives for US to separate and
return to our constituents and our
homes, We may review tho record of
cur acts, and feel that with conf.
dence we could inscribe upon it the
pleasing. grateful thought, 'hec olim
meminisse .jubarit."
Mr.. Wilkes said it had not been
his purpose to participate in tho de-
bate, but he felt impelIed from his
position, to state the reasons why he
si'Sutt oppose the calling of the con.
vention This gentleman then wen.
into q metaphysical argument to show
that the convention was not legal
vital body--it was in the condition of
the FIRST man--perseet IN form and
feature, but destitute Of the bl cath of
the breath Of life. He was a seees.
sionist, and believed secession the on
ly remedy; but regarding the dccis
ion Of the people as against such
remedy, he was unwilling to convene
that body; and a. all events, not
without the concurrence of a two
thirds vote. lie reviewed the sue
eeaaive acts oe aggression, and while
he held them cause for secession. he
believed nc such movement would he
sustained by the people. We our.
selves, in our aetioa upon the various
matters, we're doing acts as obnoxious
az those of the federal authority, al.
though Tho right to do 80 could not
DO questioned in US, as with the gen
.eEal government. Lie wanted to
dissolve the Union. bat that was out
of the question. In homely phrase,
our engine had bursted, and he would