New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-24
sRCEssIONIsTs In A FOG.

Notwithstanding the unanmity with which
the South Carolina Convention passed the ordi-
nance purportng to dissolve the union with the
other States, the debate which Immediately fol-
loved its passage abundantly showed that the
members were by no means agreed as TO the ef-
feet and operation of what they had just done.
Ex.Judge Magra.h, who, in the Interpretation
of the ordinance, might speak with the authority
Of an expert, was clearly OF the opinion that the
passage of the ordinance at once extinguished the
powers of every person within the limits of the
State deriving authority from the General Gov.
erpment. From the moment Of the passage OF
the ordinance, there were no custom-house OH
GERS, no postmasters, no lighthouse keepers, and
il was necessary for the Convention to proceed
at once to make some temporary arrangement for
reinstitutng forthwith these extinct but conye-
nent and even necessary officers
But how can we revive these extinct officers
asked Mr.. Gregg. Just now, by our Ordinance
of Secession, we have not only extlnguished the
cfficers but the Offices also. The United States
luws no longer exist in South Carolina. There
il no law under which revenue can be collected
or hostages demanded. The whole statute la"
of the United States has vanished IN Jlfy.
You must first make laws to that end before you
can collect revenue or appoint Postmasters, and
to make laws is not the business of the COnven-
ton, but of the Legislature.
Mr. Miles, late Representative in Congress-
could not agree to this sudden extinction OF
everything which had existed by authority OF
the United States. They had got beyond the
limit of mere speculation. Confusion, anarchy
and dissolution of Government as to matters OF
daily use and necessity were staring them In the
face. Spite of the ordinance they had just
pissed things must, for the present, remain in
stata quo. Ships must be chartered aud letters
must be carried and delivered, or chaos would
ensue. Mr. ex-senator Chestnut agreed with Mr.
Miles. He thought it would not answer TO leave
things to fall into anarchy. The Convention must
show itself as powerful to revive and create as to
overthrow and destroy, and not merely turn the
ship of state adrift and leave it to shift for
itself Mr.. Mazyck thought they need not
trouble themselves. There was nothing for
Collector to do; and, "a to the present system OF
postal arrangements, he regarded it az nuisance.
He thought the public might be much better served
by private parties. Mr.. Calhoun seemed to look
buck with rather doubtful mind on what the
Convention had just accomplished. We have
pulled down temple" he had the bOldness TO
tell his compatriots, "that has been built
" three-quarters of century We are now
" houseless and homeless, and must secure our
selves against storms" Mr.. Chancellor punkin.
another legal authority, was Of Onion that the
laws of the United States were not entirely abb
rogated by the ordins.lce Gold and silver of the
coinage OF the UZted States still continued in his
opinion, the only legal tender in payment of
debta. Notwithstanding the passage of the
ordinance. things at the CustOm-Houses and
post.Ofhces would 90 on just as before until
some other provision Were made The wheels of
Government must be kept going, otherwise,
for want of proper papers, vessels leav-
ing the State might be in danger OF con-
tiscation. In this way the debate ran on till
the Convention took q recess to meet again for
the formal signing OF the ordinance, the members
apparently much in the dark as when they be-
gan it as to what the precise effect of that III
strument was upon the postal service and the co.,
lection of duties. The subject has been referred
to special committee. The prevailing idea
seems to be to save the sovereignty Of the State
by comforting upon the United States officers q
sort of State authority to continue to obey and
act under the authority of the United States till
the ambassadors sent to Washington shall be
able to negotiate an arrangement with President
Buchanan. But if, as the President declares in
- 10 haa 30.
force the laws Of the United States, it does not
appear whence he can derive the power to en-
terrain any such negotiation.