The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-12
Report Of xsxey Gregg.
oHs OF THE COMMITTEE OF rwxxrr-osz.

The undersigned, member Of the Com
mitsee, to which was referred for conside
ration the Act Of the General Assembly
calling together this Convention. being dis.
satisfied with Report Of the Commute no.
on account of what is contained in il bu,
OF what is omitted, respectfully asks leave
to state his reasons.
The position South Carolina at this time
IA most difficult and embarrassing one.
Suffering under injuries which render a
continuance in the present Union inoom-
Pataole with honor or safety; but deserted
by other States, suffering under the same
injuries, and whose pledges of resistance
gave South Carolina right to expect We
~ different action from them the citizen.
OF the State became divided in opinions a.
TO the course proper to be taken. One
portion OF them believed that all hope be-
ing lost OF any other States Seeding from
the Confederacy by concerted movement
It was necessary for South Carolina to vim
dicate herself from intolerable wrongs by
seeding alone. Another portion regard
cd tn" course as unwise, and thought it
necessary to wait for the support Of other
States. The prospect Of such support has
grown fainter day by day, until it has re-
ceded TO an indefinite distance; and that
portion Of our citizens who have placed
their only hope in il, now find themselves
Powerless to effect their object. But by
the popular majority which they have eI-
hibited, opposed to exercising the right of
secession this time, they have also paraly-
Ied the power Of their fellow-citizens who
desired to adopt that course.
Under these circumstances this Conyen-
ion meets, charged with the duty of see
ng that the Commonwealth receive no
ietriment. To recede under such circum-
tsnces is impracticable. To obtain the
I'D Of any other State in resisting the ag-
,ressions which have been committed 6y
he Northern States and Federal Govern
nent is hopelesc. Unless some effective
node Of action could be adopted, which.
While stopping short Of secession, might
'lace and preserve the State in q position
# readiness to take advantage Of the ear
lest opportunity for successful resistance.
susrdng as far as practicable, in the mean
Ime against the many corrupting infiuen-
es Of longer connection with the govern
nent which oppress US, nothing remains
'ut submission likely to be fatal. II any
uch mode of action could be devised and |
proposed by those who are opposed to Sc |
'afate secession, it would beyond all doubt
'e accepted and supported by those who |
ave been IN favor Of that measure.
The Report Of the Committee is unsat-
sfactory to the undersigned, because it
ontains no recommendation Of any action
yhstever beyond . fdere declaration of
he right Of secession, and Of the injuries
winch have been suffered, justifyinp TIA
'xercise by South Carolina.
Ha protestation in favor of our r;pbts
made at time ahen in fact we are de.
'sived ofthem, can be of any avail towards
preserving them in recollection and resov.
'rlng them at future day, it is wise and
proper to make such protestation. But
'ctions outweigh words, and one step in
'dvance towards practical resistance, how
ver moderate impressed upon them, the
Undersigned would have greatly preferred |
Or the sake Of that harmony which is of
uch high importance if ever the State is
D be rescued from its present condition, to
cquiesce in their report. He believes that
lch measures might be devised by those |
rho have opposed separate secession and |
hat if adopted with unanimity by the
'eople Of the State, they would afford
ONE reasonable hope ultimate deliverance. |
3ut seeing no prospect that the introduc-
ION Of any such measures under present
and against the determined
opposition Of those who have defeated Sc
ession, could result in any good to the
state, he has, as a member of the Com
nittee, nothing to recommend. He is will
ing TO vote for the declaration of princi-
lies contained in the Resolution and ac-
ompanying Ordinance; but he desires at
he same time to leave on that record Of
he proceedings Of this Convention his dis
inct declaration, that it is not in accord
'nce with his wishes that nothing more
hould be done to prevent detriment TO
he Commonwealth. MAxcY GRKoa,