The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-19
The. Sece.sionists at work.

poseu 10 accept as llnal lne recent decision OF 4
majority of its citizens; but, on the contrary
are laborng zealously TO undermine ard defeat
it, with view to the revival Of the old agita
ton, and all lis irritating issues. Glimmerings
of the fact have been apparent for some time
past, but document brought TO light by the
Southern Rights .7drocate, journal published
at Anderson, South Carolina, exhibits it with a
force and fitness for which we were not pre-
pared. This document is headed, (" For Con
fidential Circulation among the Members Of the
Secession Party" and. emanaling from the re-
cogused Central Committee Of the Secession
ISIS, il may be received as a formal NANTES of
the grounds on which they propose to reopen
the question, and Of the policy to be pursued to
enable them to accomplish their avowed pur-
poses.
The circular sets forth the belief Of the com
mttee that their defeat resulted from comb
nation of parties, each in itself a minority, and
having no principles in common; and that, con-
sidered separately. 'the secession party is much
stronger than either la this respect, the com
mitlee are far from complimentary towards their
fellow citizens, who are described as the vic
tins ''of an ignominious panic" Of 'alarns
and fasehoods" Systematically but covertly dis
semnated, Of base appeals, y of unprinciped al
lances, and % time serving propensies - the
result being pronounced alike Pernicious and
humilating. An appeal is made TO ''the re-
sstance wing Of the successful coalition" TO pro-
pose their plan of action, which is promised
support provided ii hold ''out hope, however
q
secession" Such proposition displays the
traitorous spirit of the Secessionists more com
pletey than could be done in many words.
They profess to be solicitous for the honor Of
the State, and to refuse acquescence in the late
decision because it does not represent the feel
ings Of majority; and yet they avow that
they will enter into no terms with any
party. and abide by the Will Of no party or ALI
ance Of parties, unless the measure adopted be
direct secession, or something that will clearly
lead TO that as the utimatum. They are for
recession. whether with or against the consent
OF an electoral maJorIty-seCession, by any
means, fair or foul, al all hazards, and at any
cost That, at any rate, is the plain meaning
of one half Of this confidential circular.
An attempt IS 10 be made. however. to pro-
woke the people Of the State to adopt the seces-
sion creed. Vigorous efforts are to be employed
to irrtate them by scattering broadcast. through
the medium Of The secessionist press, every
item, true or false-eyery comment, no matter
whence proceeding taunt and insult,
however absurd OF gross-which is, or can be
made offensive TO the principles or feelings Of
tho Stafa .sSucb cnrproarfe - tho cpr,r,ittoo
remark "mortfying as they are 10 the pride Of
our State, if constantly copied By all our
papers. ought 10 produce wholesome effect"
As resistance and secession are 10 be the symp-
toms Of the health consequent upoa this "whoie-
some" medicine, the State and the whole South
may pray to be preserved from such physicians.
The circular closes with some remarks on
the conduct to be pursued by delegates to the
Southern Rights Convention, some Of whom. II
appears, have felt quams Of conscience as 10
the propriety Of taking seats as the representa-
tives or constituencies that have since poed
anti secession votes. The advice Of the com
nIttee In this emergency is as Jesuitlcal a.
other portions Of their policy. IL is, that the
delegates in question should sit and act with
bht NdiitiI tDi NitJ bHiOa VI hHtli N'll9tlAUtAAN
because ''there are in the convention several
members Of the CO operation party whose
constituencies are secessI0nists by decided ma
'lorltles;" another method Of declaring that
the State shall be forced 70 secede, without re-
ference 10 the wishes Of its citizens The Cen
trail Secession Committee have decreed that Sc
cesson IS "the true and efIectua remedy" for
all md hn r,aprla IN ls haf g
I'D or driven into the adoption Of the same con-
clU,ion. The State may be ruined, but the
Central Committee must triumph.
The proceedings Of the party in the South
Carolina Legislature--whose session CON
menced subsequent to the date Of the secret
circular--confrm the worst impressions as to
their indifference to all the rules Of honesty
and honor. We cannot show this better than
by quoting the subloincd statement from the
Southern Standard, cooperation paper, only
remarking that We have seen no attempt to
gansay the facts or the differences here pre-
scented:
mo sooner are toe heads Of tho party assembled
a. Columbia, than party machinery is set ut work,
10 hood wink and hedge in the doubtful and the
unwary caucus vas held and Immediately
afterwards, Cn pursuance doubtless Of is dcoree)
bills were introduced into both branches of the
Legislature fixing time for the meeting Of the
Convention.
with such indecent haste was this great inca
urc prcssod that. within two days from the intro
doction Of the bill 10 The Senate, the measure
passed that body; and even in the House the bill
vas introduced the fret Of December, and
passed on the 9th.
Now, why did the leaders Of tho secession party
prsss this measure at all-,nd why was 1t urged
with such despatchy Pcrhaps few other facts
will cx plain. Il well known m Columbia that
the Cooperation party held meeting carly in the
rcssion II was also known that several distin.
,lishcd leaders Of this party openly ayowed their
..