The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-12
ExEcuTISE DErARrMENr, S. c.

[...., - h, - May Z, 1852.
DEAR Sra: Yourletter Of May 5th has
just reached me. Although must regret
the views you entertain of the Conven-
ton, (and with all due Difference think
them erroneous,) yet feel assured they
are honest, and cannot but respect the
course you have thought it your duty to
pursue.
Justice, however, 70 my own h nest
convictions, and also to the Convention,
seqnires thatI should express in decided
terms my dissent to the construction YOU
have put upon its action. Submission
was never intended by it. 1t met under
circumstances peculiarly embarrassing. 1t
was composed Of large majority Of those
who believed, and still believe, that "se-
cession" was the only effectual remedy
for our wrongs, and that any step short
ioethat would not only be unmaniy, but
imPfacticable. Against the exercise of
6iis remedy, at this time, the people had
pronounced their solemn verdict, and II
would have Been criminal TO have disre-
garded it. The condition Of the State
wasa most deplorable one. II was COM
completely Frustrated and paralyzed by the
party dissensions TO which il had fallen n
Tfetim. Under these circumstances, would
it have been the part Of wisdom, of pru-
denee, or of patriotism, TO have attemp-
ted TO foist upon the people any measure
which would have had the effect of kin
ding anew the fires Of party strife, and
OF putting the State in the road of certain
rain and selfdestructionl The very first
step which an enlightened patriotism
pointeI ut for the convention to pursue.
was 70 unite the State and hea, the fear
fnl breaches an angry controversy had
made in its heretofore solid phalanx. IT,
that spirit of courtesy and kindness which
IL the proud characteristic of our pcoplc.
the Convention acted. The past was for.
gotten and forgiven, and the State ,cas
united Nor did this union involve the
slightest sacrifice of those PRINCIPLES which
have ever been cherished "a dear amopps,
',is. The sovereignty of the State was n
fully vindicated as the solemn ordinance
OF the Convention of the people could vim
dicate it. The wrongs we had received
from the Federal Government were ac-
knowledgeds and the right of the State to
use ale remedy Of secession, without slct"
or "hindrance," was fully declared. The
-exerclsesof the right was prevented by
erpediency alone, and Of that erpedieacy
the State, As a sovereign, has a right
to judge.ss gs 81 4 Ytijf ass
must eohfess that the members of the
Convention meeting together, just ss we
had emerged from the most bitter and an
CRY controversy we have ever known, and
sacrificing all party feeling upon the altar OF
; their common country, exhibits u spectacle
D 6f the moral sublime, which, as Cmoli-
nian, I cannot contemplate but with the
proudest emotions.
am sorry to .infliet ~ long later
apon you. / should not have said one
word on the subject of your views as a.
:the action of the Convention, were it not
that silence on my part would have been
'e0Aerued into an acquiescence in them.
My only object is to express my dissent
on this point and TO endorse the action
,of The Convention. gs ss as. - y,
"a Your resignation is accepted TO take
datA from to-day. Suffer me, in concIu-
lsioh, to express 10 you my high appre-
soistiona Of ashey distinguished services YOU
have relfcred the State, and Of the bold
and many staAd yeu ,yhaye ever main
fiaed y sdsfsnee Of the down-trod,Ic,s
~ ofthe soutl. arf -.gr.
4 Baassared, my dear sir, that you carry
nto your retirement my ardent wishes for
our happiness and prosperity. 4
With high regard II am, dear sir, your
sSellient servant, bEE J. III. MEANS.
ssTo Hon. X. b. RHErT. aa e4 1s !