New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-03
GEORGIA xnoIsEATUAz.
a VIGILANCE ASSOCIATION.
THE TRUTH IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Yrn;ysrssl and excited the secession feel
IN, has been, and unquestionably still s, net
enly in the City Of Charleston, but throughout
koutb Carolina, it is evident enough that as the
time approaches for treating the question as
practical reality, movements and discussions be-
siu 10 take on the sober cast of thought. Still,
ia not too much to say that South Carolina
means to 20 out OF the Union regardless of con-
sesuepces, and with the least possible delay. At
the same time it is equally true that no settled
Plan Of action for accomplishing go great al I'M
Sertakinq exists. Indeed the matter Of the or
der of her going seems as yet to have been bu
little considered Thus far the work has been
10 bring the public mind up to the sticking point,
which has not been difficult to accomplish. The
se<esson sentiment is strong, deep, and pervad-
irs. and quito usurps the place Of that Of patri-
cite devotion 70 the Union which was shown in
the early days Of the Republic. Ask repre-
sentative Secessonist if South Carolina is really
IN earnest in her threats to 60 out of the Union,
and he Mil at once declare, what is unqueS-
sopably true, that she was never more
in earnest in anything. Ask him how
Recession is to be practically accomplished aud
he will not give you a direct answer, but will
proceed 10 expOund the doctrine of Calhoun,
which wns taught him and infused into the minds
Of 80 many others by President Cooper of Colum
bia College--that on entering into the Federal
compact, originally, each State delegated to the
General Government certain definite powers, but
rcssryed to itself the residuary mass of powers TO
De exercised by its own separate government; that
= IL I'm nj
Judge of the powers delegated to it; but that each
State has the right to judge for itself, as well
AZ the infraetioD as the mode and me isure OF re-
areu. This, aud much mere Of the same Sort
As will amphfy and eIpound at le'gth, ending ia
the conclusion that South Carolina, or any other
Stat, NAV 10 out of the Union whenever she
ehoo,es. and il 10 no business of the General
Government what causes she deems sufficient or
what order Of going seems to her most proper.
II to this yeu respond that the General Govern
nsnt may take the opposite view OF ITS powers
and duties as well as Of those of the different
Bates, and may, and probably will, Adopt the
deetrine and action of jackson, that secession is
revolution, he will respond by declaring that South
Carolina is ready 20 e. threw the tea overheard"
and take the consequences.
In conversation with q gentleman Of the
eless have deseribed-esteemed and influential
alike for his learning, uprightness OF personal
character, and lifelong devotion to the cause of
MISUNDERSTANDING arrived at this point in con-
sderiDg the question, in response IL my inquiry
whether, among the consequences referred to,
fereible resistance to Federal authority and laws
vas included and contemplated, he unhcsitatingy
aaid, yes. But be added, the General Government
viii not use force; it viii have 10 means to fight
us with; not enc thousand troops on this side of
che Hitsissppi; volunteers it viii not be able to
get; there is no law for meeting such an extra
srdiIary expense. I" 1t now looks continued
he, ga though netting definite, beyond making
preparation, may be done before the 4th Of
"March. when Lincoln vii! be inaugurated
"Cengrc.s viii rot then be in session, and
Ihould he call it together, be would be with
" cut a majority; and ne Congress, or President,
"Nhen il comes 10 be seen that coercion will
" szite the entire SOuth-that, in fact. all that
" Is necessary to Unite the South in common
Z" resistance is fsrce-Win Sudertake to employ
coercion. There will be no pubic sentiment,
Nerth or South, demanding the of f0reIbc
means under such circumstances; and we shall
sbe out Of the Union, and there will be no
"pOwer to bring US back again"
Vague and unsatisfactory even TO secessionists
Themselves ne these views must be, they never
theless are the most connected, and come the
nearest TO plan Of any that have yet heard
expressed. And while we must reject utterly
their views Of the powers ard duties of the gen
eral Government aad Of the States untsnable,
and while we dismiss the idea of accession prov
ing practicable, or in the remoteSt sense prob
able, under the methods proposed, it must be
confessed that South Carolina alone, and much
more 80 if backed by other States, is at least
capable Of inficting on the social, financial, and
political condition of the country, the worst of
results. She believes she can and will break up
the Union. 1t must he confessed that she may
place if in peril, if abe has not done so already
and may work untold mischief.
II is doubtful, however, how far South Carolina
will be permitted to carry matters by separate
action. The probabilities ore every day increas
ing that she will have 10 submit t. cooper
"atiOn," that is, that she viii be forced 10 come
uader general plan Of action in which She other
Southern States, or the most Of tAesn at least,
viii participate. 1t ,eems to be understood that
"eo0peratios" viii put an end TO secession, at
least as proposed by Sssth Carolina. The jou-
ing Of A. H. Stephens, and other Unionists in
Georgia, with TOombs and other disunionists in
recommending the call which the Legislature
aitorward unanimously made, VI a State Con
of tba Ia IN, 1.far AZ.