The southern press., 1851-07-07

thlS nlRn R49lNqR, therefore, and from no oth0E,
We faaSf NV sdsvey the whele field before N,
and decide what the future demands Of IN,
which saa1 ~ ia harmony and consistency with
the present shdthe past
Shall the next at in the drama sustain the
unity Of the preceding ones :
Ia thas deeply interesting conjancture Of our
PHOllc attaire we hrd ourselves assembled this
DAY, and for Ne first time our counses arc d.
vidsd-diyided too on the gravest issue which
can be presented for our consideration.
10 me this division is source of profound
regret. At the very threshold, find myself
called upon to differ from those with whom l
have been associated all my life, and whose judg-
ment and opinions highly respect.
Foremost among these stands your senior
senator, (Judge Butler) )--whose stern devotion
to the interest and honor of South Carolina,
have had recent occasion to witness and admire.
Yes, Mr.. President it has been my lot, day after
day, to stand upon the floor of the Senate cham
Der during that memorable contest whose his
tory is familiar to you all, and TO observe the
conduct of that senator, when, after the death OF
your great statesman, he had single-handed and
alone, to contend in your name, for the cause of
"truth, justice, and the Constitution" Few,
sir, at distance from the scene, can fully under
stand and appreciate the cares, the anxieties the
heavy responsibilities Of situation l.,se this, TO
one of his proud spirit and pure integrity. Well
and nobly did he discharge his high trust, and
richly has he merited your confidence and affec-
ton. But although it is painful to differ from
one so much honor and esteem, must initiate
his example, and follow my own convictions Of
duty. | am consoled, too, by the reflection, that
though we diverge at this point we will soon
come together again, and that when the State
decides between us, we will cordially unite in
carrying out her decision.
Our discussions thus far, have brought US to
the consideration of two leading measures, both
protesting to have the same end in view. Be-
fore entering On the consideration of these mea-
sures, allow me to say that understand it to be
the general judgment of this assembly that the
legislature, at its next regular session, should
appoint time for the meeting of the consttu-
tional convention which was elected in Febru-
ary last under its direction. No one that am
aware of, proposes that the Legislature should
decline this office. As the term of service of
the present legislature will expire on the second
Monday in October, 1852, presume, as a mat
ter of course, that the meeting of the convention
will be fixed at some period anterior to that day
Assuming then that the convention will be in
session sometime between the lst January and
the lst October, 1852, the measures for its con-
sideration may be stated thus:
First Shall South Carolina abandon the
preparation for resistance, which she has thus
far made separately and on her own responsible
ity, without promise of cooperation from any
State, and declining to carry on any further
measures of that sort, announce to the other
Southern States her determination not to secede
alone, but to wait until given number of such
States shall through their governments pledge
the public faith either to secede in the first in
stance, or to cooperate with South Carolina if
she will take the initiative
Second. Having failed up to this time to OBJ
tain any pledge of cooperation from the gov
ernment of any other State, shall South Carolina
secede alone?
The first measure, being that of my opponents,
Ihave carefully endeavored to state with accuracy
and precision: justice and fair-dealng demand
this in every controversy. In one like the pre-
sent, ! should despise myself were capable of
doing otherwise.
1t may be urged that have put the first branch
of the question in too strong terms-"Shal
South Carolina abandan her preparations, &C."
for it may be said, she might continue her prepa-
rations, even though she determines to wait for
CO. o-operation. To this reply that it is vain
utterly vain--to expect the people to submit to
the present extraordinary rate Taxation if their
money is not wanted for immediate purposes
If therefore, we decide to wait we must certain
y "abandon our present preparations"
will now proceed to examine this PROPOSE
ton with the attention due to its importance,
and the respect due to those who advocate it. |
admit without hesitation, that conjoint action
on the part of two or more States, if it could be
procured, is preferable to separate action on the
part of any one State.
But distinctly declare it as my deliberate
Judgment, that co operation cannot be obtained
n the manner proposed in our day and genera
ion. Is it intended to adjourn the issue to a
Instant future-to bequeath it to our children
Surely not. Then we are to do the work our
selves, and it is with this understanding that |
shall proceed to give my reasons for the opinion
now so confidently express on the subject of
1t is admitted on all Sides that at present there
8 no hope Of cooperation by any State, on nc
count of the past aggressons of the government
with the exception of Mississippi; and as her
is to meet in November next, her po
'ition will be defined previously to the meeting
If our convention.
The governments of all the other States have
hus far, under the issues yet made. declined to
ndopt any measures of resistance. To the future
hen we must look for events to bring about CO.
operation. The compromise has failed to do so.
c we wait then for new issues to produce CO.
operation, do we not agree to the past, and to
'bandon the issue Of the compromise as a case
or present resistance Will this not involve a
vide departure from our past declarations Will
t not be taking, not only one, but many steps
Candidly and sincerely think so
But let this pass--let the objection be gotten
'ound. do not think it is met by saying-"We
10 not submit to the Compromise we only bide
BUR time" Let us 90 on and see what the fu-
.ure has in store for us.
1t is argued, that cooperation will certainly
De brought about by future aggressions that
he anti-slavery party in Congress will commit
some open, hagrant palpable violation Of the
lights Of the slave States something Ipresume,
If course, worse than has already been done,
which will unite these States in determination
% withdraw from the Union, to establish a
Southern confederacy.
cannot concur in this view. To my mind,
Nj the probabilities are.against u.s. The aggres-
,iOna Won ObsaYvp aro to come from CONGRESS- |