The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-21


formed in spite Of every obstacle and these views
urged upon the last legislature when opposed the call OF
convention have no sympathy with that consistency
which adheres to opinion merely because II has been
expressed; the only consistency which aim at is
Be all this therefore, as il may the true inquiry now
TO be made the fitness and expedency Of the pol
icy to be pursued by the people OF South Carolina Shall
secede alone from the Union and set up an indie
endent nation. shall adopt measures 10 bring about
union OF the South
To determine this question, must examine what are
the existing evils for which these are proposed
remedies is agreed all hands that the true evi
pressing upon is that the federal government has
been perverted from its original foundation TO become an
engine OF attack upon African slavery, and thus threatens
destruction to the civilization and social institutions OF
the South The first blow has been struck IN despolns
OF our equal share OF the territory conquered by our
united arms and purchased by common funds and
the object intended by the Wimot provlso, OF hemning
in slavery and preventing any increase Of The slave pow
er, has been in TACT consummated IN California IL mas
been long oeseen by our wses slaesmen and by none
clearly than by that great and faithful champion oil
the South whose ashes repose in our city and whose
counsels should be engraven memories that there
exists rreconciable difference between the North and
The South, which soon or late must come 10 ISSUE lhe
upon which their respective institutions should be de-
veloped has hitherto been the field OF battle. New States
were formed from this area, and upon their introduction
on side the other endeavored Immediately to bring
forward counerpolse In this way The Issue has been
postponed, il were, by repeated ruces, and 1t was
hoped by many that The Missouri Compromise would
form line Of permanent peace And SO ii would have
done with the South. The North would not abide by
it. But power and fanaticism always aggressive ,
and the Wilmot Provlso was devised as means OF
slavery should be excluded from all newly acquired ter
ritoy and the result must follow that every new State
would belong 10 the North. Thus they would acquire
the entire control OF the government. and according to
their views OF the constitution over the destnes and
fortunes OF the South.
The stupendous fraud By which the whole Pacific coast
was included in single State compensated 10 the
North by second fraud, whereby slavery excluded
from all this region, and California admitted into the
1nta haDA (p
lowed had the Wmo proviso been originally adopted
OF course the North content they divide il at
their leisure into other States and, with the aid OF new
votes in the Senate, can dispose OF the remaining terri
tories OF the United States their pleasure. The evil is
accomplished it is indeed OF fearful magnitude. But
where is the rcmedy'
ourselves the Independent nation OF South Carolina.
How will this give US back right in California; How
will II give us our portion OF Utah Or New Mexico, or
any new territory 10 be acquired! How will 1t enable US
10 expand IN Texas, and send surplus population
slave Institutions TO increase the and power OF
slavery And, more than all this how will il give peace
and security IN future TO the institutions and civilization
OF the South!
On the other hand the co opeationss propose to unite
the South in common cause, and 10 demand Tor them
selves equality in the Union independence out oil IT.
They propose to demand restoration OF their equal share
OF California, participation IN the remaining territory OF
the Union and security from their States for the peace
fu enjoyment OF their rights; and il these be refused,
they have 10 fear they will be, then that the whole
South should form and independent coniederacy and pro-
The mere statement OF these two plans completely
determines the mind in favor OF the latter that the
sion party itself forced TO defend secession being the
best means OF producing union and cooperation OF the
South. Therefore, the first inquiry shall make is,
whether this be Will the separate secession OF Sonlh
Carolina conduce to the Union and cooperation OF
! the South
VIVA, is secession from the Union Ii is departing from
The Unlon-leaving the company OF the States which
compose that Unon and as the southern States form part
of that company we abandon them in common with the
rest Secession is, therefore, the opposite OF Corpora
ton; and yet we told that TO leave society is the best
mode OF producing concert with those who thus aban
doned The mere statement OF such proposition seems
! 10 decide IL.
But lei us examine il more in detail Secession must
either be peaceful or attended with war. Suppose it
peaceful; suppose the general government TO withdraw
all objection, and South Carolina TO be peacefully estab-
shed as separate nation how will that conduce TO
the union OF the South will hereafter consider how
such condition will affect South Carolina herself
present inquiry is limited 10 lis effect upon the other
southern States
IT'S determination not 10 leave the Union for existing
grievances Although some OF them deeply dscon-
en yet have they ali determined TO remain in the Union
IN preference to leaving u now aud establishing new
coniederancy. What is 10 change this determination!
Are 10 suppose that they entertain high sense OF
the wisdom OF South Carolina tina, her Judgment will
override their own Let any man cross the Savannah
river, and he ever entertained so high conoeit OF his
own State, he will find that Georgia at least does
not IN It, Test the matter by seeing how far the
opinion and judgment OF the State Of Georgia has infu
enced u.s. She has determined by overwhelming vo,c
in veniion solemny called that she deems il wses
TO remain the Union. Has this decision convinced
induced us TO adopt il How, then TO expect that
our convention will produce greater effect upon them
Is the measure OF secession itself If peaceably carried
out calculated 10 overcome the repugnance oil Georgia
the other southern Sates The secession leaders gravey
propose that ports shall be open free trade and that
South Carolina shall become great den OF competition
Tor smuggers from the ad accent States How is such
scheme likely 10 be received b. all those engaged fair
trade IN the southern States Would it not rouse every
honest trader throughout The South Could Savannah
and Augusta. and Wilmington, and Mobile, and New Or
leans, allow such condition OF things TO continue, and
would those who enaeavor TO force II upon them be
garded by the sufferers friends with whom they are
10 join in concert Human nature mast change before
measures OF this kind have any other effect than 10
| deepen hatred and widen breaches.
But let us take the other aernatve-he alternative
which Is far more likely 10 occur. Suppose secession
should not be PEACEFUL aud that war, OF
war, should be adopted would operation and union
OF the South be more likely 10 occur
We cannot shut our eyes TO the fact that the United
States government is in possession Of the forts which
which oas over them contains the stars and the stripes
which Georgia, and Alabama, and Mississippi yet claim
as their flag When South Carolina secedes and becomes
an independent nation, do doubt that the yaor OF
her sons will not permit foreign flag 10 her
territory. The forts viii be attacked; they will be sub
dued, at cost however, OF many of her valued sonsa
cost the more DEAR as unfortunately IL will bring us no
relief The flag which now floats over these forts
will trail the dust; but whose flag will that be Geor.
9ia, and Alabama and Mississippi, and North Carolina
and Virginia. and Tennessee, and Kentucky, and Florida
and Louisiana and each claim OF III stars
each has common pride in that flag each has her honor
Hoang in its stripes; each feels wound when that
banner has been struck And you told that a blow
like this will lead to sympathy and cooperation
Georgia IS to call convention while smartng under the