The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-16

for power we possess it. They arc
in a minority, and therefore are with.
out responsibility. We are in. q ma,
josity and have all responsibility rest.
sing upon us. The government of
their States is in the hands of their
adyersaries. Our government is in
our own hands. There is nothing to
restrain US, but tho danger of stri.
king; they arc powerless. 1t is in
vain then to attempt to derive com
fort for our voluntary submission from
their voluntary acquiescence. We
have promised much and much is
expected.
Such, Mr.. President, are the out.
lines of my views in relation to coop.
Grafton. I regret that I have not
time to SO more into detail. I have
endeayored to be candid and explicit,
because Lam free to confess that I
feel bound to consider maturcly a
measure which has such distinguished
supporters before l reje,'tit it. | have
done SO, and I must decl,.,rc in all
sincerity that if South Carolin,.n aban.
dons all purpose Of acting alone, and
determine patiently and passively t.
wait, Gas she must if she waits at all, } }
the developments of the future in tho
expectation of such hostile legislation
on the, part of the General Govern.
ment as will unite the South in her
overthrow Of this Union, she will sac
rifce the great cause which all her
sons, with but few exceptions, profess
TO be nearest to their hearts, and
give o dcath blow to disunion. Yes.
{ rcpeat-,'ot South Carolina lay
down her arms, let her say she will
not secede, and n shout of triumph
(shall I say of dcn>sion?) will go up
all over the land, for wc have enemies
every where, and the advocates of
the COMPROMISE will unocrwrite the
Union for tho next generation. These
may be unpalatable truths, but they
must be told.
I come now to the consideration Of
the second proposition which l have
supposed will be submitted tc our
convention when it assemblies.
Having failed up to this time to
obtain any pledge of cooperation
from the Government Of any other
State, shall South Carolina scccdc
alone :, Iapproach the discussion of
this question with a profound sense
of its magnitude and Importance. I
never expected to be called upon to
give my counsel ON any question un-
der sense ofhigher responsibility. L
have never entertained or expressed
! but one opinion on the character of
this measure, as my constituents, with
whom I have frequently and publicly
conferred, can testify. I have told
them that secession was measure
which would demand the exercise Of
all their wisdom and all their firm
ness. The overthrow ofany govern
nient and the establishment of anoth.
CT is no holiday affair. It is no card
house we desire to construct, whiei,
can be reared by the hand and des-
troyed by the breath Of an infant
No ! u is q stern work which lies
before US, and if VIC seek for new
guards for our future security, we
must expect to obtain them at the
hazard Of many sacrifices.
The questions in regard to seces
sion, which appears to me will dc.
mand the careful consideration Of the
convention, are
First. Has the State a right to
secede?
Second. Is she justified in the
exercise Of this right at this time f.?
The first question is one I presume
The convention will have very little
difficulty in deciding, as it may be
considered a settled question in the
judgment OF the Southern States at
this time, though I am aware it is
seriously denied by some within their
limits, and perhaps, if not brought to
Judgment at the present day, will in
q few years become much con'rovert-
ed, If not ultimately repudiatcd. Res
olutions affirming this right were laid
on the table in ono or both branches
of the North Carolina Legislature at
their last session. / am not fully in.
formed Of the circumstances under
which this was done, but point to it
as o fact which deserves attention.
RIO BE CONTINUED