The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-31
-. conMUN,cAgED.,

f"eeA' "PPear sonse questions proposed to the
candidates ferslec,ion to the State Leci lai6s9
! They are not usual in son,s respedts In az
sweHng them will look only to the Resolutions.
with no reference to the persons from whom
they have emanated.
These RESOLUTIONS do not seek 10 obtain infor--
nation Upon subjects Doubtful to the propoun.
ders. They announce the predetermined opin-
ion oil The quesiloners, to be enforced under the
authority OF sovereign power-,he sanction
Of rewards and punshments.
IT requires no slight effort to answ er questions
proposed under such u menace; and in doing 20
l shall, in reference to some of them avail my.
SELF OF the answers which, in my judgment, the
State has already given.
10 the firstresoluton answer, that if cleo.
ted expect TO vote for Electors favorable to
Breckinridge and Lane.
| The second question is " In the event of ,be
election of the Black Republican candidate 10
the Presidency, will you decide at once for
Southern Confederncy,"7&
The answer to this question is found in the
recorded policy Of the State.
| By the Ordinance OF A. d. 1852, the State
acting in her sovereign capacity, declared that
as sovereign she acceded TO the Federal Un-
ion' and asserted her right 10 secede from the
Union Tor sufficient cause. BY u resolution the
Convention declared that encroachments by the
Federal Government upon the reserved rights
OF tife States, especially in relation to slavery,
amply justify this State in dissoving all pohti-
cal connection with her CO. States and tha, she
forbore the exercise Of the right from consldera.
t'ons Of expedicncy only.
| re-
ture OF this State. amongst other things, Re.
solved that South Carolina is willing to stand by
her sister States Of the South, whether in the
Union or om of it, and to make common cause
with them in the vndication of that great in.
slitution which constitutes our strength our Safe
ty and prosperity"
BY resolutions oil A. D. 1889, passed unani-
mously, reference made 10 the ordinance
and resolution Of A. d. 1852, and after reciting
their substance, il was unanimously resolved,
That the State Of South Carolina still de.
ierring to her Southern sisters, nevertheless re-
specttuily announces to them that It is the de-
iberate judgment Of this General Assembly that
the esiaveho!dIng States should immediately meet
together to concert measures for united acfiox."
The foregoing resolutions manifest the posi-
ton Of this State. They are far in advance of
the Greenwood, Resolution which speaks of a
decision to be Made. This decision has Jee,, made
Az q member Of The Legislature concurred a
them whern made, and they embody my opfhS
ions now. The message tosvirgna last winter
unanimously agreea TO, ,ie, evidence of the sins
cerlty Of the State in thiSsff6r
The third resolutio ifIa case the formal
union and confederacy !of4mo or more OF tile
cotton States should prove inpracticable, will
you or will you not esPopseSin Gods strength
the secession of South esrolina separate and
alnnef"
My impression ia that this is the quest ion for
which tho others were made; and like the post
script OF woman'sletter, develops the real in
tention.
The fixed position Of this State, 10 already
shown, is secession by cooperation with other
Southern States.
The question then comprehensyely and dis.
tinctly presented is. you in favor of altering
!ts settled policy of the State requiring tire CO.
ldPeration Of other States in the act Of secession,
aEd' of adopting in the event Of LincoIns elec.
ton, the dsuyowed policy (though not the
right Of separate State secession9
Not knowing what day may bring forth, I
prefer to be aided in the detemu alton of any
\ mnolnentous question by the circumstances which
exist when the decision must. bs made have
no doubt my Judgment: then upon actual facts
would attain more correct conclusion than
any opinion founded upon hypothesis and suppo-
sitions now. Besides, Lam unwilling to surren-
der, in advance, my freedom Of opinion into the
letters Of pledges. When the question of sepa.
rate State secession shall a.ise, desire to be
like my fellow ctizens-free to choose and act.
These. however, are eonsiieraaiass of person i
character and would not wsightusith me unless
spstuned,by others of graver import. Some OF
tlieas ask leave TO mention:
g inJhe first rank I estimate unity amongst
ourselVes-amongst saveholders. The Legs.
latuse has not thought unworthy its attention
the preservation of this important element ol
success.
In November, A. D. 1856, It was =" ResoI " ed
nnenimousiy that 1t is the sense of this General
, Assembly that the EIec tors this day appointed
cast their votes i'll favor Of James Buchanan a,
President, and J. e. Breckenridge as Vice.Presi-
, dent Of the United States.
- Resoived Phat in the election Of EectStatfor
~res'dent and Vice-Presidsnt to bs made thu
DAY, no referenea. To- the opinion OF the cand
} dates on the question of National Nominatiue
Conventions is had by the Legislature"
This was in a high quarter, worthy example
Of wise moderation, followed, as il deserved ,s
Ehe, by successful. resulss.
I Is2lh his admirablH letter Of 9Th August inst.
Senator Hammond says:
"The political exigeney Of tie DAY is the cleo
} aon OF the nezs President" cit gives me pleas
; ore to find that South Carolina" &C., "is ,pnisu
ing the sisn1s quiet course" 81. 1T never wa
asounsder policy than at this time"
have nD doubt the discussion Of separat.
State secession at this time will lead to disssn
siods, PsralysingJhe strength Of tho State to tn,
Z weakness Of an iufsni's arm. Men. would tax,
: sides upon suPpositions TO bsdspiaoed probabl,
at some futsre day by hard realities. But po