Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-11

session OF the Legislature of the State also abound in
evidences of an unsound state of mind, as every
sensible reader cannot fail to perceive when we
come to refer to them.
In This view Of the influences under which the
State of South Carolina has, though in the solemn
form of Legislative acts, engaged in an attempt
to dissolve the Union has authorized her Gov
ernor, by sending mbassadors-envoys ertra-
ordinary they would certainly be-or in any other
way which he may think proper, to urge . other
States to attend her Southern Congress has by
other measures shown her determination, in almost
any event. TO place herself in arms against the Gov
ernment of the Union; she can yet hardly be held
morally accountable for what she has done. If not
morally, OF course she cannot be held criminally
responsible. tits no part of our purpose to hold up
her conduct in that light except with the view Of
showing that what she has done and proposes to do
upon the pretences which she sets up, would be
justly reprobate in any other State or States not
under the same unhappy influences.
For correspondent act, however criminal in the
eye of the law, committed by any individual in the
same condition Of mind as the State of South Caro-
lima appears to be-that is to say, tOholiy un-
conscious that the act ,0hieh he has done or at
tempted is one which he ought not to do, he would
not if we understand rightly the law, be held legally
accountable in a court of justice. The. benefit of
that plea, whether she accept it or not, en-
trely willing to allow, in her present position, to
the State of South Carolina. The acts which she
does and proposes, are not, however, the less con-
demnable, nor the object at which she aims less
criminal, because, in her present deluson Of mind,
she considers it no offence, moral or criminal, to
embark in conspiracy against the life of the
Union, and deliberately to prepare the ways and
means for carrying out SO damnable design.
Such is our confidence in the intelligence and
the patriotism Of the Southern States and People
generally that we feel an entire conviction that
thing more can be necessary to prevent any one Of
them from cooperating with her in this object,
than to show, beyond doubt, that her designs are
those Of abstract enmity to the Union; designs orr
ginatng in no events of recent date but early cher
ished, and prosecuted with constant care and
assiduity by leading politicians, who seem always
to have been able, as they now are, to command a
majority in the councils of that State.
Before we proceed TO this demonstration, it will
be proper to exhibit to our readers proof that
D1sUN1oN, consequent disgrace to our country, and
demolition to all the hopes which humanity has
founded upon the success of Confederate Republic
like that of the United States, are in the contem-
plation of the Councils of. SOUTH CAROLINA, and
those who despotically rule them. They have
looked this alternative in the face, and pleased with
its reflection of their own sentiments, they have
embraced it. For this proof we have no occasion
to 90 further back than to the late Session Of her
Legislature.
At the opening of that session, the late COVER
NOR of the State (whose term of service has since
expired) transmitted to the Legislature a Message,
very able and plausible-artful, we had like to have
said-consistng mainly of "lofty and sounding
manifesto against the Northern States-keeping
out of view the only section of States the West) of
complaint, because of their overshadowing growth
and against the Government Of the United States ;
else of her unquestionabR right the powers dele
gated the General Government and secede from the Unio',
if she sees ft" t.:~>E
This assumption of threat of South Carolina by the
General Government which, after asserting he "does not
AFFIRM the Reverend gentleman goes on to sustain by the
following further gatutous and peposterous proposition
In the present controversy with the South, the General
Government is an usurper. @ '
After forying this position he best canshowing, in
doing so his of acquaintance with the planes prov
Of the Constitution and pervertng the most notorious
facts of historyhe ISLANDERS the God of Truth and Right
eousness by undertaking to make HIM partner in the
political heresies Of the State of South Carolina
Believing then, as do, that in this whole crusade
against the institutions of the South which the General Gov
wagng, it is acting the part Of usuIper, and be-
evng God the God of Truth and Righteousness and
is opposed to usupaon, Uotsd haze State do
but acquiesce in the right OF the Federal authority to
coerce her."
The Reverend gentleman after showing the most abso-
lutte msapprehenson of the character of those and here
toore engaged in the Administration OF the General Govern
men saying that they "under influences confessed!y
luxurious, goes with ludicrous consciousness that in
what he is saying be is desecrans the House Of God,
follows ......
scend TO personalities from this sacred place but may be
pardoned for expressing the opinion that the powers that be
at Washington not of that hardy energetic, warke
stamp whose threats be dreaded the uneng pre-
ludes execution Epicures do not usually evince either
courage strength. 1t is not every Sardanapuus who
turns be hero Before paper blockades and the
cdena reinforcement Of the garsons in her harbor,
fghten South Carolina into submission, her oppressors
must learn something Of Marion's dinner"
After chaably insnuating that all those who have
tued oppose the spirit Of Dsunion in his State have
been bought by the General Government he breaks
the following rhapsody .3 3