The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01

''"'~" S"iSu vi Nh VACFNirt u ehcll litl> 4
dense, sagacity, and devoted patriotism on
the part OF its members.
The same causes Of complaint against
the Federal Government. which calle,l IL
into life, still existed in full force. No eyi.
dence had been given that its onward bro
gress towards consolidated despotism
was stayed, or that any barrier had been
erected against that tide of flnaticism.
which, with fearful rapidity was rolling on.
threatening the overthrow of the institu.
tions OF the South. No security was afs
forded lis that we should not forever re-
main in a state Of vassalage to the FEEDER.
6! Government, paying far beyond our
Just proportion of its expenses, and reciv-
ing far less than our share of its expendi-
ture. Nor do believe that any change
had taken place in the feelings and opin-
ions Of the people of our State. l y
An almost universal feeling of indgna-
ton at our wrongs and burning desire
to redress them prevailed. But discord
and party strife, which have blasted tLe
success Of many glorious cause, had
raised its head among us and paralyzed
our strength. One party believed that
the time had come when every considera-
ton ofpolicy and duty required that the
State should act, even though it should
stand alone. Another party believed that
the separate action Of the State would te
ruinous, and that the cooperation of the
other Southern States whose interests and
destiny were the same as ours, could and
would be obtained. No doubt but that
both parties were honest in their conyic-
tions, that the policy recommended by
each would rebound to the welfare Of our
State. The discussion of these conflicting
opinions produced the bitterest party feel
ings. rr' ....
Amid the convulsive throes of this
fierce strife, the question of our wrongs
was almost forgotten. Thus lid our State
present the mournful spectacle of people
whose common wrongs and common dar-
gers should have united in the closest
bonds, completely prostratcd and paralyz-
ed, not 10y the force and power of the enc
my, but by their own internal strifcs. 1t
was too plainly seen that any action un-
der existing circumstances, could end in
nothing but self destruction.
Many bold and gallant heart that
Federal Government, grew faint at tho
prospect, and shrunk from the thought of
civil strife.
The people had, by a large majority,
passed their verdict against separate scces-
sion, in the election which had been re-
Gently held for members 10 Southern
Congress. Under these circumstances the
Convention met The only course which
wisdom and patriotism could suggest, was
pursued, namely, TO heal the wounds which
had lately been inflicted and re-unite the
State. l can but congratulate you on the
happy result. The members Of that Con
vcntion, actuated by n spirit worthy oftlc
pa'miest days of our Commonwealth, de-
.armined to bury all bitter feelings that
had been generated by the contest, and
act with an eye single to the good Of the
State, under the circumstances which then
existed. Nor do think, in effcctfnr this
great OBJECT, that any s,tcriiicu of ps;uci-
pie was involved. The principles which
have ever been held dear amongst us.
were not only re-afiirmed, but set forth in
the solemn form Of an O. dinancc.
| But sincerely rs feel the gratfeation
of announcing to you that the State has
been united, nust call upon You TO r.
member that orr safety has not yea bc,i
secured. The storm which. one day ,r
other is dcstinued to burst upon us IL s,i
brewing. The great features of the Con
promise, which induced our sister Sou,.
ern States to accept it, has been oper
violated. In one of the Northern Stat,
the Fugitive Slavs Law has lcen naYl6,,
and in all the others it is but n dead h.
Ter. brutal murder Of slavshoiG, r
has been the result Of an attempt 10 Ic-
claim slave under this vauntc,i law
The spiri; Of mischief is working with
fearful energy. Agitation still goes on
with ccaseless activity. Fvevy element
which can be made to operate On pub ic
opinion, is put in action against our insti-
int'ons. Even that powerful weapon, the
literature of the country, is employed to
direct Its polished but poisoned shafts a
galnst them. II is true that nothing has
been done by Congress, since your last ses-
sion, against which We can complain.
Judging however, from the elements
which arc at work, and from the history
OF the past, we cannot hope that this ces-
sation from hostile acts against our institu-
tions will bc of long duration Amid all
our prosperity, and the still greater pros
perity which we would enjoy if Ten alone,
The heart sickens at the Contemplation of
! that fierce fanaticism which Is at work.
and which hangs like pail upon our fu-
ture. However strong may be my con-
victons as to the propriety Of an attempt
to stay the coming storm by the separate
action Of the State; and however deeply
may deplore the decision to which our
people have come upon this subject, God
forbid that | should fan into fam those
expiring embers by now recommending il