The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-10-26
The Public Meeting.---A Southern Party.

The Public Meeting.---A Southern Party.
We promised in our last to give some
more detailed accounts Of the meeting. As
to tho exhibition of public feeling, we cam
not say that there was any enthusiasm or
great interest exhibited in the movement.
The Committee appointed by the Chair
man, favoring the call, to prepare resolu-
tlons, consumed a great deal of time unncc-
cssarily. So that when they were ready to
report, it was to quite sparse audience.
AS it was then, could vote have been urged
at once, we believe, 0hough those " no
gave us the majority report are of differ
ent belcf) that the minority report would
have been accepted. We can name cnourh
persons anxious to support it, but could not
wait. The vote Oh its adoption was fifteen
for, to eighteen against We did not sign
Il call for public meeting, because we
deemed it unnecessary and premature. We
believe it simply ilnpracticable to organize
aSectonal party on issues that are passed
We must then look to those that are before
the country. What are they The resto-
ration Of the Missouri Compromise line,
and the rejection of Kansas. There are
important points involved in them. And.
II the South combats successfully, Kansas
is gained and Missouri saved, as the Missou-
rians i'll their address to tho people of the
United States themselves declare. This
much the Kansas Nebraska Bill has done
for the South-a Bill not passed as a section
measure, but rs great constitutional meas
ure, obllterating geographical line that
excluded the South from half the common
territory, and supported by forty -four North
crn Democrats. Still more, on these issues
we have with lis the Federal Government.
When that is against us and dcprivcs Us Of
our constitutional privileges. then the whole
South by the instinct Of self.prescrvation will
he forced to take refuge under a Southern
Contedcracy. Until that event takes place, let
us throw our contest upon the broad and COM
prehensive ground Of the Constitution let US
have with us all the great moral influences
which cluster around that inspired instru-
mcnt. Still farther: In the selection Of
Federal officers, let us not say we will sup
port none but Southern men. Experience
has taught us that the word Constitutional
is much safer. Gen. Taylor was South
ern man, but he was deficient in Constitu-
tonal principles and therefore interccred in
the organization of California to exclude
slavery. On the other hand, Gen. Pierce,
Northern man with Constitutional princi-
pies, has proven himself President uncx-
ccptionabIc to the South.
but above all, let lis not he guilty again
OF the imprudencc Of leading off in advance
OF the other of the Southern States. We
did S" IN Notification, and in 1892 when
the tariff was not modified according to
promise; even old Jackson said, "if South
Carolina was in earnest in her principles,
then was the time for her to draw the sword
and throw away the scabbard. She did
not even make the scmblance of struggle
In Secession we passed through the, same
humlliating ordeal If in either of these
struggles wehad bravcd consequences, even
it defeated, we would have come out cover
cd with glory. But alas we did not. We
met in conventions, passed long resolutions,
rcvclled in martial eloquence, wrote the Dec
laration OF independence over anew.
wouldn't listen to "IIail Columbia" "Star
Spanged Banner" or "Yankee Doodle"
stuck our hands in our breechcs pockets
and took our seats by our peaceful iiresides,
as lnnoccntly as Forrest would after raving
in Richard III. No one denies that we are
a brave Intelligent people, but really this
thing OF long resolutions, to be left unexe-
cuted, seems to have become part of our
nature. So much SO, that it has taken from
us all moral influence, brought our leader
ship into disrepnte, and given us the repu-
'tation of being much more revolutionary
than revolutionary. Let us now, in this move,
use the sensible suggestion of friend,
"show the other Southern States that we
can hold our tongue, and, if necessary,
wheel into line without ourselves giving tile
command" If they lead of, we'll and
good. We will not lag behind. But let
us never, NEVER again subject our State
pride to such deep and sorrowful humilia-
tion.-FairfeM Herald.
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