Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-12-22
SOUTH CAROLINA

SUuIn ShhnA4Nh-
If the vote of a state convention can sepa-
rate South Carolina from the Union, that
uneasy state has gone out OF the Union But
the fre.eating extremists OF that state will find
that something mere than theatrical voting in
a convention is necessary to accomplish great
revolutionary results. The Southern com
mercial conventions" of which so much was
heard, a few years since, furnished some very
admi able illustrations of the impotency OF
such voting. The brave.talking gentlemen
who met in those conventions resolved with
oleat earnestness that there should be great
southern commerce; but as they mad not
power to work miracles, ner skill OF any sort
10 obtain great result, without the agencies
necessary TO produce them, the course OF trade
was not in the slightest manner affected by
their resolves. A convention has voted that
she shall be an Independent nation. 1t will
require great deal more than that vote to
make her So In a debate which took place in
the convention on Thursday, some of the
members of that body began TO perceive this
fact few extracts from the discussion will
show this =
"Mr Gregg-The congressional laws for
the collection Of revenue are for the support OF
the federal government at Washington and
all our post office laws fall on our dissolution
with that government.
Mr.. Milcl--We have to deal with facts and
stern realities. We must prevent confusion,
anarchy, and the arrangement of our govern
ment affairs. Things must for the present re-
main in stdu quo, or confusion will arise.
Mr. Hayne-Sudden action is injurious.
Mr. Dunkin-If that ordinance be passed
things will go onin the custom house and post
offices exactly as now, until other arrange
ments can be made by this convention. There
is nothing in the ordinance to affect the digni.
ty honor, and welfare OF the state OF South
Carolina We must keep the wheels of gov
eminent going. The constitution of the United
States is not entirely abrogated by the ordinance.
What is legal tender in the payment Of debts
Is it not gold and silver of the United States
In the case OF clearing and entry Of oesSeiS, are
Uery liable to hare the same coliScdted."
South Carolina has no right to secede from
the Union, and therefore no legal method of
doing So Her act OF secession, or rather her
vote to secede, can not be recognized either
by the government at Washington or by any
other government that is on terms of amity
with the United States There is much to
think of in that suggestion in regard to the en'
try and clearance of vessels at the port of
Charleston. Every vessel that sails from the
that port must have clearance from the
government of the United States, or be Ii
able TO seizure and confiscation The palmet-
to flag may answer TO play at secession with,
but it cannot do much service OH the
ocean where protection is required That
old banner with the stars and stripes, which
the South Carolinians now affect TO spurn,
must still be their resort when they venture
out Of the harbor Of Charleston. The brayest
convention they can bring together will never
be able 10 vote away this necessity. No infu-
ence Of the federal government is felt in South
Carolina which the welfare of the state does
not need Nulli6eatian IS chiefly an injury to
themselves, and in some cases an injury which
they could not actually choose to suffer,
even if the federal government should be
found capable of allowing the secessionists 10
supercede it. Should any foreign power in
wade South Carolina next week, or next
month, the federal government would instant
ly assume control of the war and beat off the
invader; or should any foreign vessel or other
property be seized at Charleston, the federal
government would be made responsible for
the outrage. Secession is still very far from
being a fact accomplished.
South Carolina has never been a very har.
monious member OF the Union, and for most
OF the last half century, many OF her leading
men have been persistent potters of treason.
Mr.. Rhett boasts that he has worked at this
business for thirty-two years. There would
have been serious trouble with her in 1882 if
we had had for president as weak mean, and
treacherous a man as James Buchanan and
the trouble would be much less serious
now than it is, if in place of Buchanan,
we had an Andrew jackson. 1t may
be that trial of the disasters of attempt
ed disunion will be the best medicine fol her
madness. Secession will be suicidal to the
state that tries it, and at the same time it Can
not be countenanced by the federal govern
inent. Mr. Buchanan declared al Ostend that
self representation required our government to
seize Cuba. Be this as it may, we bought
Louisiana to secure the mouth of the Missis
sippi, and we are not likely to allow that re-
gion, nor any part of our southern coast, 10
pass away from the control of our govern
ment.