The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-29
Aifpmuna 0ispattb.
THURSDAY MORNING. -. NOV. % lsO.,
THEsEcEsSl0N M0vEMRNTAT THE SOUTH

n ~ H.
The Message OF the Governor of South
carolina. Retreat for the Palmetto
State. Position Of the Border States,
Ac., Re, Ac
The Governor of South Carolina has sent
In his message to the Legislature. He thinks
temporary postal arrangements can be made
| with Adams Il Co.'s Express until these of a
permanent character can be Ell tered into The
duties of the Governor of South Carolina in
future" will be so much more arduous than
in the past, that the salary of the Office should
| be increased and a private secretary allowed
Referring to the laws of the new republic on
| the subject of treason, he says:
The general recognition by the citizens Of
South carolina OF their allegiance TO the
State, and that obedience to the Federal Gov
ernment ceases as soon as the State with
draws from the Union aud asserts her SOW
| eregnty, satisfies me that she will have no
traitors IN her limits but wise precaution
| can result in no harm, and may be the means
OF advertising our people that if any OF them
| should be so forgetfuI OF their duty to their
sovereign, and so reckless of his displeas Ire as
10 disregard her ordinances, or obey any other
| commands than those OF the constituted au-
thorities OF the State they will be dealt with as
| traitors, and punished accordingly. In view,
| therefore, OF such contingency, some legisla-
| tion may he necessary in mere particularly
| defining treason 10 the State, and affixing the
| proper punishment for the offence South
| Carolina mn3t insist upon the implicit obe-
| GleLce OF ali her Citizens both native and ma
turallzed, and one can be permitted to nut his
| individual construction upon the relation he
| bears TO the State OF his birth or adoption
| The obllga tlon OF the citizens of South Caro-
| lima 10 obey the laws OF the Federal Govern
| ment was created by the act of the State en-
| terIDg the Union under the compact enter ed
| into by the sovereign parties 10 ii, and it fel-
| lows that upon the withdrawal of the State
| the obligation is no longer binding. The Sc
| ceSsion of a State cannot, in the proper nse of
| terms, be called revolutionary movement
| 1t is true, there will, to some extent, be a
| change of government, such as dissolviug a
| compact between soYereigns. in which il was
| stipulated that the citizens or subjects OF each
| State or nation should perform certain duties,
| which, before he agreement OF the high con-
| tracing parties. they were not required TO
| perform, or abstain from the exercise of Ger
| tain rights, which they have previously en-
| loyed but this diSsolutio of a compact does
| not imply rebellion, which, if successful, is
| revolution, and which, if unsuccessful, sub
| lects the citizens to punishment for commit.
| ting treason. Why are we at this moment
citizens OF the United States Because South
| Carolina, in her sovereign capacity, made u.
| so by a compact entered into with the other
| States, which, when united, were called the
| United States, and it follows that when the
| power that ordered US TO obey the Govern
| ment of the United States, and which alone
| had the right to create that relationship, re-
| leases as from that obligation by Withdrawing &
| from the league, our obedience is 10 longer
| due to that Government and our allegiance to
the State, as our lawful sovereign, is unQues-
| iIoGa Ole and undivided.
| The introduction OF slaves from other States
| which may not become mem hers of the South :
| ern Conte ederacy, and particularly the border
| States, should be prohibited by legislative en-
| actment, and by this means they will be
| brought 10 see that their safety depends upon
| withdrawal from their enemies, and an union
| with their friends and natural allies. If they
| should cOntin0e their unlon with the nor-
iax linz lot l-nA fhnF E1o.
| property in their own borders, and the only
| alternative left them will be emancipation by
| their own act, or by the action OF their con-
| fedaTates. We cannot consent to relieve them
| from their embarrassing situation, by permit
| tIns them to realize the money value for their
| slaves, by selling them TO us, and thus pre-
| pare them, without any loss of property, 10
| accommodate themselves 10 the Northern Ir5e-
| soil idea. ButshOuid they unite their destiny
| with Us, AID become stars in the Southern
| ralaIy-mem berS OF q great Southern Con-
| .ederauon-We VIII receive them with open
| arms and an enthusiastic greeting. Should,
| thec, danger approach their borders, or an
| enemy, open or disguised, make war upon
| tGem, there is not doubt but living ram
| part of freemen, from the Atlantic to the Stuff
of Mexico, would line their borders and beat
| back the invaders.
| The Governor then speaks of Federal Re-
| Iaiions." He gives a history CT Mr.. MeTn min
| gers mission TO Virginia, where he was
| kindly received and Hospitality entertained
| but failed to convince the Legislature of the
| necessity of concentrated action ON the part OF
| the South:
One of the resolutions adopted by Virginia
| In response 10 the invitation of South Caro-
| lima and Mississippi TO meet ia conference,
| expresses the opinion that " Virginia does moi
| yet distrust the capacity OF the Southern
| States, by wise and firm exercise OF their re-
served powers, 10 protect The rights and lib
| critics OF the people, aud to preserve the Fed
eral Union," and tor this purpose she desires
the concurrent action > of the Southern States;
but she adds "t that efficient cooperation Will
| be more safely obtained by such direct legis Ia
tive action OF :he Seuera! States as may be ne-
| cessary and proper, than through the agency
| of an assembiage which can exercise no legitl-
mate power except 10 debate and advise"
| Thus we see that although Virginia had
| strong hopes at that time OF preserving the
| Federal Union, she was unwilling TO resort to
! any other way Of etecting the object than by
| the separate action of each State, which would
| have the effect OF producing the concurrent dc-
iion OF all the States interested. II, therefore,
Virginia is right as to the best mode OF redress
ing wrongs and obtaining the concurrent ac-
| ton of other States ii follows that the sepa-
rate action of each is the best method OF getting
| cooperation or concerted acLIon OF the other
| States in any movement, and ii would there
| fore be wise in South Carolina, in imitation
| of Virginia, to decline representation in
"any assem- blage which can exercise no legiti-
| mate power except 10 debate and advise, ana
| in no assembIage whatever, until by the ordi-
| a Union which she once acceded TO, and which
has proved a curse instead OF blessing.
| The effort OF South Carolina 10 assem- BILE the
| Southern States, in the hope that the North
nj Ight be induced TO pause and retrace their
| steps, by an earnest and unanimous protest
| against the course pursued by them,and no IT,
| fication that unless change of policy took
| place the South would be compelled TO take the
| redress Of her grievances in her own hands,
| failed on account of the refusal of Virginia TO
Join in the movement, although her borders
had been recently invaded, and her citizens
| murdered in cold blood by band OF aboli-
| tionists, instigated 10 the deed by the teach
ings Of men OF con trolling power In the North
| All hope, therefore, OF concerted action by a
| Southern Convention belng lost, there is but
one course left for South Carolina 10 pursue
| consistently with her honor, interest and
safety, and that is, to look neither 10 The right
nor 10 the left, but go straight forward TO the
| consummation OF her purpose.
| 1t is too late now to receive propositions Tor
| a conference; and the State would be wanting
in self-respect, after having deliberately de-
cided on her course, 10 entertain any PROPOSE
ton locking TO a continuance IN the present
| Union. We can get no better or safer guar
antee than the present Constitution, and that
has proved impotent 10 protect us against the
| fanaticism of the North. The Institution OF
| slavery must be under the exclusive control OF
those directly interested i'll its preservation
and not left TO the mercy of those that believe
| fl 10 be their duty 10 destroy it,
The tone of the Northern press has greatly
| changed since the unanimous and determined
| action of South Carolina Heretofore, it was
| supposed by our enemies that we were divided
and distracted at home. and that in conse-
ouence of our divisions, the scenes OF 1851
would be re. enacted, and the State would
finally acquiesce in Black Republican
rule. or at best, that something less than
secession would be adopted, and our en-
ergies exhausted in fruitless expedieL Is
and unayaillng threats. Now that the
uuweIcome conviction forces Itself upon
| than, that "we have counted the cos l.
and find nothing SO intolerable as volun'