The southern press., 1852-04-24
Letter from Hon. d. Wallace, Of South Caro-
lima.
WAsHlNeroN, April II, 1852.

WASHINGTON, April IL, 1907.
My DEAR SIR: | have received your letter of
the 25th ut. You ask me what, in my judg-
ment the convention, soon to assemble in South
Carolina, should do! Before this question can
be wisely answered, we must form just con-
ception of the condition of things in reference
to which the convention must shape its action.
Events have very clearly indicated what the ac-
ton of the convention should be. The people
of the South have decided that there shall be
no resistance to the compromise measures Of
the last Congress. The conventions then, can
do no act that will produce resistance for past
wrongs either within the State, or beyond her
borders. 1t is true, that large majority of the
members of the convention are in favor of seces.
sion. But it is equally true, that majority Of
the people of South Carolina have decided
against immediate secession, unless in co-opera-
ton with the Southern States. This co opera
ton cannot be obtained now, and the decision
of our people is, therefore, an acquiescence, at
least for the present, in the compromise. The
majority of our people being thus opposed to
the only form of resistance, which, under exist
ing circumstances, the State could adopt it will
not in my opinion, be either proper or expedient
for the convention TO pass an ordinance of Sc.
cession; for deem it to be the plain duty Of
the convention, to conform to the expressed
will of the people in this regard. The State
should not resort to secession, without large
majority of the people be in favor of it, and as
that majority is opposed to it, ! consider tie
question as being settled for the present.
The question then arises, what can the con-
vention do to promote the. public good within
our own borders? Before this question can be
determined we should know whether evils exist
in the State, which admit Of a remedy, and if So
what are they, and what is the remedy? In
November, 1850, we were united people.
Events which have happened since, have made
us divided people, and while we continue 10
be thus divided, our political and moral power
which should be exerted alone in opposition TO
the usurpation and injustice of the federal gov
eminent, will be exhausted in demoralizing and
Improbable conflicts among ourselves. This
is an unnatural condition of things, and ought
not to continue for while il continues, we not
only cannot advance, but must recede, according
to an admitted principle of political science
and unless our intestine divisions shall cease,
government party will at no distant date be
formed, and acquire strength and consequence in
the State. Recent events in the South have
clearly demonstrated the proposition, that the
time for Il dissolution OF the Union has not ar.
rived. Ii that event shall ever happen, it will
be brought about by the gradual progress of
public opinion, which in consequence of the
abuse of power, by the federal government has
within the last few years, made rapid advance
in that direction. A great event like this cannot
be forced in advance of public opinion. The
public mind must be ripe for il before il will
ever take place. This adaptation Of the public
mind, to the exgency of the times, has ever
preceded all resolutions, and attempts to accom-
AZ nj nho
form of government before the public mind.
was prepared for, and willed such change, have
ever resulted in failure
Nor can another canvass in South Carolina,
upon the late issues, as you inform me- some
have suggested, meet my appreciation. We have
passed through one struggle, upon the issues
presented by the central government without
success, and cannot bring my mind to the con-
cusion, that another struggle would result
differently from that which we have already re-
allied. The people of our sister States have not
sympathi.e ed with us, to the extent of our hopes,
and we should learn wisdom from the past
Another failure to achieve success, in resistance To
wrong, will do our cause infinite mischief What
we want now, is a re union Of our people upon
our old Stale Rights, Republican platform;
and until this re union shall take place, it is
clear that we can do nothing to advance the great
cause of Southern rights. The intestine divis-
ions which now exist in the State, are therefore,
an evil, which in my judgment the convention
should remedy, if possible.
Ii is with much diflidence that | venture 10
indicate the policy, which the convention ought
TO pursue; but as you, as a member of the con.
vention, ask for an expression of my opinion
will comply with your request with frankness
and candor.
Those who lead State, in times Of great
public danger, are bound 10 dchieue success If
within the compass Of human means. The con.
vrnton about to assemble, should not lose sight
Of this principle. We lodnt no more failures
The question Is not now, what we would do,
but what can we do! The convention should
act according TO circumstances in which we are
placed, and not otherwise. Its first aim should
be, to use all the means within its power, TO re-
store 10 the State the power il has lost, by the
divisions which now so unhappily prevail among
cur people.
You inform me that the opinion is entertained
by some that the members Of the convention
who are in favor OF secession ought 10 resign.
I do not believe that any member Of the con
vention ought to resign, under any circum-
stances which exist now, or which are likely TO
arise but that every member Of the convention
ought TO go into that body, not rs the partisans
Of party, but rs Carolinians and while in con.
vention. act for the honor and happiness Of the
whole State and az the public voice has de-
termined, authoritatiyely, that there shall be no
separate action, this expressed will Of the people
should be obeyed. The convention will deserve,
and think receive, the public appreciation, If il
shall heal, and not widen, the differences which
now distract and paralize the energies and coun.
sells Of the State The present party distinc.
tons should not be permitted TO exist any
longer. No good man or true patriot can desire
their continuance. The compromise measures
have broken all the great parties in the Union
into fragments. The party divisions and dis.
tinctions, which these measures have caused in
our own State, should be sacrificed upon the
altar Of the public good Every consideration
Of sound policy and patriotism require this at
our hands How is this end, which il so de-
srable, to be accomplished? No one should be
required to abandon his principles II is not
necessary that any such sacrifice should be
made and il is indeed most fortunate that il is
en- All mr. people arc State RIGHTS and