Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-24


shss Rili kssa ia asbsgss sshs, sssrs shall ha Est
aoeselos a lheir aeally Responsible judgment, Hn3
myself in that class WHAT may be the eiRaton oil things
when he Convention shall be called to decide now
not. There may be many instructive Developments
and revelations before that tine Madness and infaiu
saton take their course with blind confidence, and
at the next session OF Congress shall look for Of
their usual exhibitions.
Before | speak of the probable and conlectural ac-
ton Of the Federal Government n reference South
Carolina, should she determine to secede, will notice
some views and submit some cons derations connec-
ted with Secession remedy forour wrongs
The right of Sacess ion in the abstract and the right
OF esorting to it to effect wise and beneficial end in
political and moral point of view, are different things
The one may be conceded as a legal proposition
whilst the other, as may affect other communities
as well as the State ITSELF involves high considerations
and obligations OF duty which statesman or
| ought to disregard.
South Carolina had the option to go in orremain out
OF the Federal Union she entered a sovereign, to
enable herself and conederates to protect their rights
from foreign powers and 10 promote domestic tranquil
n.y. II these ends should be accomplishment in
TACT II 1t should turn out that the Government is used
exclusively Tor one portion OF the partners to the OPP
preston and detrment of ohers-the suffering parties
should have the right of resuming their orgna position
say otherwise would be to make free States they
entered into the Confederacy, not merely parties to.a
despotlc Government but victims OF il against their
consent. But whether secession be conceded legal
right or as measure OF revolution, is mmaeria if
there be real occasion to resort TO il, and be
used effect great political end worthy of its ex
ercise IL it should end in merely separating the State
from her former conederates and placing her con-
don that would require her invest herself with all
the attributes and duties of sovereign nation both
abroad and at home, then might bring South Carroll
ma into situation OF isolation, with her true in
erests and policy If she should resort this measure
with view OF bringing her neighbors into political
connection, so as to enable them jointly to form con
ederacy tor themselves that would be adequate for all
the purposes OF maintaining their rights at home and
relations with foreign powers, then it becomes ques
uon OF the greatest magnitude full of consequences that
should be looked TO with all the care and intelligence
that can possibly be employed The State should take
no course that would make rivals and adversaries of
her Southern neighbors. On the contrary she should
endeavor by all possible with them as al
lies. the State should look to nothing beyond her
own secession, she will enable the Federal Government
to make rivals OF those who interest are and p feel
| ings, should be her friends.
lmSke the broad remark, that there is public
man in South Carolina sensible Of responsible trust
and foreseeng the inevitable consequences separate
secession that would put the State on the trial Of that
experiment, il the act to operate exclusively on
the State ITSELF Such would not ony cut off our
commerce. but would place in the hands OF our rivals
In assuming such an attitude it would be the duty of
the state to make arrangements for the management
OF her rights abroad Her pride would revolt at sending
forth her nag, without some navy to protect and with
out ministers and conSus 10 represent her rights and
protect her interests abroad. No nation can rely on
the orbearance of Others when there NAV be collision
OF interests, or temptation for violation Al any rate
would not allow the Palmetto Flag to float by suffer.
ance only. Whilst it would represent as proud, as
| spirited people lived, it would be regarded as
the emblem OF Slaveholding Commonwealth. Many
would be tempted to insult it from wantonness. How
would the proud spirited people OF the State feel to
hear that their flag had been pulled down and torn to
pieces by Boston whaling party, or by vessel from
Liberia, or IN any other way? How could they ayenge
the insult! Ii the State national RESPONSE
by, Must provide also the attributes and means OF
NATIONAL power Il must have navy and all the other
appliances OF national dignity. 1t canno; RELY with
safety on the comfy of nations or on code founded In
a sublime Autobiography.
Itseems to be thought by with great conf
dence, that by opening her ports with low duties on
imports, South Carolina could under the temptations
OF free trade, invite the commerce of the world to her
shores. Well, perhaps, if all would be good and do as
South Carolina might think they should do. something
OF this might come to pass. But games are generally
conducted by adversary hands; and somemesa pay is
made by one that may not be thought by the other to
be seclndem artum. None ofus suppose that the Fe-
| deral Government would recognise the independence
| OF South Carolina or would be disposed to make
commercial treaties with her. On the contrary hay-
ing ample means, that Government would make war
on our commerce in every way it could 1t would
besow bountes IN, and give preference to- neigh
boring ports. It, SO far it could, would make trea-
ties with foreign nations to isolate condition and
cripple our resources. would Overt and obstruc all
the channels OF our trade, and might conne us to our
exports alone the basis OF our commercial resources
understand that the articles OF commerce that come in
TO our ports, coastwse and by foreign mporta tions
| amount in value to something over $2OOOOOO OF
| this more than three fourths find it's way into
other States; into Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama
Tennessee, leaving something under $500 900 TO be
consumed in this Stale.
| 1t is commended that under the operations of Free
Trade moie would come in, and n some way or other
1t would hnd its way out Now if South Carolina was
separate sovereignty, with free port there is no doubt
she might attract greater commerce than now comes
TO her ports, provided it could find market out of her
borders But could it find its way out without violating
the revenue laws OF other nations! 1t is said rose
by any other name smells sweet" We might intro
duce as much commerce as we please, and send it to
| Savannah river under what some would call brisk
Free Trade but what in the estimation of others whose
| would involved WOuld he rded
Cling carried their borders in violation of their
laws. 1t would be acknowledged right OF the Fede
raj Government to regard South Cxrona as stranger,
and 10 place her commerce going into the ports OF the
States in the UEion under embargo and SO far as
concerns Georgia and North Carolina to regard as ports
ofentry, those places only which communicate by
ter with The ocean, such Savannah and Wilmington
That Government night not establish ports at Augusta
| and Charlotte the North Carolina Zine under this
view, commerce could come into Charleston, but how
could II get out without the process OF smuggling! Al
the interior points indicated it could without SNUG
Cling.
then put the proposition, would capitalists import
goods into Charleston, in opposition 10 The Federal
Government, under The suppose ion that they could
make profit Them through the operations Of thrifty
smuggling? But in commercial war, The State might
be disposed to lake all advantages, and it might be to
| The interest OF Georgia and North Carolina 10 have
ports OF entry at Augusta and near Charlotte What
then Could goods pay ten per cent. in Charleston, and
forty at these places,-in competition with trade
through Savannah and Wilmington paying duty of
| thirty or forty per cent? Certainly not. | will not
dwell on this view of the subject any longer, as do
higher am-one whose dignity of purpose may give
their movements different character. TO move with
the first alone, would be to make the STATE submit
to thing more than vain sacrifice She would not
| have the consolation of blind Meieus who lost his
eyes going through the flames Of the Temple save
| the Palladium. Her fate would not only be elt.de-
sruction but would be sacrifice build up the in
| teresls OF new rivals.
Those who really look to the end Of this beginning
take the step with this vew-:o induce other States by
the prosperous and successful example of South Caro-
lima TO come into conjunction with her. Or to place
| them in such circumstances, that, living a common
destiny they would be compelled to be involved in
making common sacrifice. | will not notice the
first part oihe proposition The latter presents the
subject in its great magnitude, not unconnected with
considerations OF the deepest decacy. To force Soy