The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07
south Carolina Convention.

We have published the report and ordinance
adopted by the late State Convention of South
Carolina. We give below the report from the
Committee of Twenty lone, made by Mr..
Perry, on his own behalf:
REPoRT OF b. F. Penny ONE OF THE COMMIT
TEE OF TwENrY.oNE.-Tb undersigned, mem
Der of the Committee of Twenty one, differing
from the committee in their report on the act
ferred to them calling this convention, begs leave
to submit the following preamble and resolutions.
as expressing his views in regard to the important
matters contained in said report, and as to the
true policy to be pursued by the State of South
Carolina in relation to her difficulties with the Fed
erai Government. b. F. Percy.
APRIL 30. 1852.
Whreas the Legislature of South Carolina, in
consequence of the aggressions of Cons ress and
the Northern States the domestic institutions OF
the South, deemed it necessary TO embody the SOW
ereign power Of the State in convention, in order
that the commonwealth should suffer no detri-
ment," and for "the purpose Of considering the
proceedings and recomme tions Of congress Of
the slavcholding States" And ,chsfas the other
s!aveholding States have declined meeting South
Carolina in southern congress. for the purpose
OF considering the past aggressions OF the Federal
Government on an institution in which they all
have a common and an equal interest: Ind trhre
as il would be unwse and imprudent, and want
ing in respect TO the other Southern States, for
South Carolina, under existing circumstances, To
take any decisive separate action in cause which
equally belongs to them all And tnssreas there
have been recent manifestations the part Of the
Federal Government and large portion Of tho
northern people TO cease their aggressions on the
institutions of the South, and carry out in good
faith the guarantees Of the Federal Constitution
Ind ;rhersGs deep rooted and long cherished re
gard for the Union OF these States, as the palln
Jium OF our independence, ""trapqullity, "peace,"
"safcty," prosperity" and elderly" makes IL
right and proper. honorable and patriotic, that We
should "suffcr whilst evils are suicrablc," rather
ethan right ourselves by aboshing the forms ~
which We have been aceustomed:"
Be IL hugort Rpoired, That this convention
will rbcar at present 10 exercise that highest and
meet sacred Of all rights which can btlong 10 q
free and brave peopc-s right secured % them By
nature and natures God, and pa amount 10 n u
constitutions and political compAcis or agree
mcnts--the right "lo alter abolish" their gov
eminent when it becomes destructive Of the onds
for which it instituted, and ceases 10 protect
them in the enjoyment Of their "lives. libortics
property, and pursuit Of happiness"
R'solcsd, That the Union Of tho several State
ol was lOrfncu lOr tflc purpose az
protecting equally the interests Of all the Sta.es
their domestic institutions, property. and Undue.
trial pursuits; and tbs existence Of African slave.
~ in the Southern States, nj the formation Of ths
Federal Union, was not only recognised in tho
Constitution, but guaranteed and made the basis
in part, Of their approximation In tho Congress
the United States.
Rsso.i ed, That this domestic institution Of tbc
South lie not only moral and correct. IN the opinion
Of this convention, but great blessing 20 the Az
rican race, and absolutely necessary for the con
tnucd peace and prosperity Of the s.avcholdinC
States; and IS suchlwill be forever defended ami
maintained by them at any and all hazards, and
TO the lass extremity Of their existence people
ResOlred, That South Carolina, through her soyo
reign convention, pledges herself 70 her sister
Southern States to resist, in company with them
or alone IL need be, by all the means which nature
and God have given her, any and every attempt en-
the part Of Congress 20 interfere with slavery IT,
the States, the slave trade between tho States
TO abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia with
out the consent ofthc owners, 10 exclude slavery
from the southern territories Of the Uslcd State
or tho forte, navy yards, and other public placcs ~
tho slavcholding Sietcs belonging 20 the Federal
Government, refuse the Admission ola State into
the Union on account 81 slavery, or refuse 60 en-
force md carry on, The existing constitutional pro
visions the subjcct Of rendition Of fugitive
slaves, alter change the Federal Constitution
in any rcFpcct touching slavery