The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-12
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, 5. T.. !
Mav7 1919

DEAR SIR: Your letter of May 5, has just
reached me. Although must regret the views
you entertain of The action of the convention
land with all due Difference think them errone
ous) yet feel assured they are honest, and
cannot but respect the course you have thought
it your duty TO pursue.
Justice, however, to my own honest convc
tons, and also to the convention, requires that
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
It was composed Of large minority of those
who believed, and still believe, that " secession
was the only effectual remedy for our wrongs,
and that any step short Of that would not only
be unmanly, but impracticable. Against the ex-
ercse of this remedy, at this time, the people
had pronounced their solemn verdict, and il
would have been criminal to have dsregarded
it, The condition of the State was most de-
porable one. 1t was completely Frustrated and
parayzed by the party dissensions to which il
had fallen victim. Under these circumstances
would it have been the part of wisdom, of pru
depce, or of patriotism, to have attempted to
foist upon the people any measure which would
have had the effect of kindling anew the fires OF
party strife and of putting the State in the road
of certain ruin and self destruction? The very
first step which an enlightened patriotism point.
ed out for the convention TO pursue, was to
unite the State and heal the fearful breaches an
angry controversy had made in its heretofore
solid phalanx. In that spirit of courtesy and
kindness, which is the proud characteristic OF
our people, the convention acted The past
was forgotten and forgiven, and the State ,oas
united. Nor did this union involve the slightest
Al ksuk
been cherished as dear amongst US. The SOW.
ereignty of the State was as fully indicated as
the solemn ordinance of the convention of the
people could vindicate it, The wrongs we had
received from the federal government were ac-
knowledged, and the right of the State to use
the remedy of secession, without let" OF
" hndrance," was fully declared. The exercise
of the right was prevented by erpediency alone
and of that erpediency the State, as sovereign
has right to judge.
must confess that the members of the con
vention meeting together, just as we had emerged
from the most bitter and angry controversy we
have ever known. and sacrificing all party feel
ing upon the altar of their common country, ex
hibits spectacle of the moral sublime, which
as Carolinian, cannot contemplate but with
the proudest emotions.
am sorry to inhict 80 long letter upon you
should not have said one word on the subject
of your views as to the action of the convention
were it not that silence on my part would have
been construed into an acquiescence in them
My only object is to express my dissent on this
point, and to endorse the action of the conven-
ton.
Your resignation is accepted, to take date
from to-day Suffer me. in conclusion, to ex-
press to you my high appreciation of the dis.
tinguished services you have rendered the State,
and of the bold and manly stand you have ever
maintained in defence Of the down.trodden rights
Of the South.
BE assured my dear sir, that you carry into
your retirement my ardent wishes for your
happiness and prosperity.
With high regard, | am, dear sir, your obedi-
emf servant, J. H. MEANS.
To Hon. r. B. RHETT.