The southern press., 1852-01-27
From the Charleston Mercury.
Southern Rights Association of st. Johns
COIIefOD

Southern Rights Association Of st. John,
COlletOn.
The sem-annual meeting of the association
OF 81. Johns, Coleton, convened at Rockville
on Monday the 9Th of January, 1852, the presi
dent, Hon. W. b. Seabrook in the chair.
Mr. X. Burden, jr., offered the following re-
solutions
RESOLVED, That this association having beer
formed to continue in existence until the wrongs
of the South redrossed, or tire State RESUME
the powers heretofore delegated to the United
States for special purposes,.it is deemed impor
tant that its organization be preserved and con
tinued for the present.
RESOLVED, That we have not vet abandoned al
hopes OF saving the State, and through her actor
the South redeemed from her present degraded
position, and to this end We will direct our best
efforts, invoking those great principles of State
sovereignty which have ever been relied on BY
all trno States Rights men, as the only palladium
OF our safety.
| Col. +. M. Seabrook offered the following
resolution as an amendment to the above:
Resotred, That as all impression has existed
| in the parish, that this association has been
changed from its original character and purposes
| we hereby express our earnest desire to unite
with all the true friends of Southern rights and
OF Southern institutions, irrespective of the late
party divisions in the State, and invite them to
become members of this association.
He said that this body by its constitution was
Southern Rights and not simply secession
association. Ii was formed equally by those
who approved, and those who were opposed to
separate State action as the remedy for past
aggressons. During the past contest which
divided the State, portion of its members with
drew upon the ground that it was, in their
Judgment, converted into a secession assoca.
ton, although retaining its original name and
constitution. Others, however, who disapproyed
OF separate action as the remedy, still continued
members upon the official declaration by the
president, at the July meeting, that the society
had not been changed from its original character
and purposes. Now, the people Of South Caro-.
lima, having decided against separate State ac.
ton for the present, he proposed, by the resolu.
ton which he had offered, to correct the i'm.
preston as to the character of the association
to which he had alluded, by inviting all the true
friends of Southern Rights and of Southern in.
situations of the parish, irrespective of the late
party divisions in the State, to unite in promot
ing the common cause. He was opposed to the
resolutions which had been offered, as unneces-
sary, because the association would continue &c
meet under its constitution until dissolved. The
resolutions, in his judgment, only tended L
confirm the impression as to the exclusive Sc
cession character of the association which haC
1 repealed portion of the members.
He said that he would not discuss il as mer
question of etiquette, for the cause to which tn
association was dedicated was too far above il
In his judgment, IT was The duty Of the maorit,
| of the association, who were Secessionists. [,
adopt resolution looking to reconciliation, o
the character Of that for which be had venturet
to claim the approval of the association. TIL,
resolution which he offered, had been prompted
| by the spirit of Cancellation, and an unfeignet
desire for harmony because he believed that tn
political unity Of the State was of the first i'm
portance. Upon il depended all successful &C
ton for the future. If the present party contes
continued, il would be at the sacrifice Of III,
peace, prosperity, and unity of the State. and sh
would be found in her divisions, should oppor
tunity offer, powerless for effective action. Unit
! the State was united, she could not take singh
forward step ia the maintenance and enforce
ment of her rights. Why was IL that IN,
! other States Of the South could not be united
| Was il not because Of the party divisions whicI
had always existed within their borders ant
were we to follow 10 their footsteps He fel
assured that our people were too wise and pa
triotc TO commit so suicidal an error. He hell
that II was the duty of every man who had
head 10 understand, and heart more devoted 4
country than party 10 labor in promoting III
political unity Of the State.
He was unable 10 see why the true men o
both parties could not unite upon some polio
which would save the honor of tie State, and b
an advance movement in The great cause of South
ern Rights and Of Southern institutions. Th
contest which hes divided the State has bee
/ upon the mode Of remedy--the difference ba
been upon policy, and not principle; and bot
1 parties be believed 10 have been honest and pa
triotic. And he felt bound to say, that the PEG
pie, in giving the decision which they did, in hi
/ judgment, were actuated by an honest unwilling
nese to tear themselves away from the common
family Of the South, and against their unte
counsels to Try separate nationality alone. n
could mol believe that they were actuated by low
Of the Union, or fear Of consequences, or by an
sudden panic or alarms but by the motive whic
he had stated. And AS a Carolinian, loving I'll
reputation and honor OF the State, he was com
PEELED 10 say so. He would not have il believe
that any portion Of the people OF South Caro-
| lima should be considered craven, corrupt, falls
TO their pledges, or governed by any sentimen
or influence unworthy a brave, constant an
/
a common household, sons of the same mother
and we should respect each other, and act a
such, If we would be true to her.
He hoped that the loyal men Of both partie
would come together in confidence and friend
ship in maintaining the honor, vindcating tn
rights Of the State, and preserving the institu
tons of the South. lie had voted for the meet
ing of the convention in the confident belief tina
IL would contain wisdom and patriotism enoug
to place the country above party. and lay dow
a policy which would unite the State. lie di
not look to il TO play the part Of mere part
convention, az he bad indicated in series 9
resolutions offered at the time Of giving hi
vote, but to deliberate and act as Carolinian,
having In charge the honor and welfare of III
State, and the security OF our institutions. An
he believed that this body, in full possession
all the facts necessary TO wise and enlightene
Judgment, the will of the people of South Care
lima, and the existing condition Of the publ
sentiment Of the South, would be able to com
to such conclusions as would entirely compos
our domestic divisions, vindicate the dignity {
the State, and do something towards promo
| ing the great cause Of Southern institutions.