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


wllicontinue throughout tho struggle. Why
distrust our allies. distract our ranks and par
alize our efforts in the very midst Of the Gghti
aud especially upon u hypothetical question
which eanpet even come up until after I he bat
tie is lost rand wo have been abandoned by all
our allies. 1t will surely not aid in the fight
or produce harmony among the.sSouthern
States, for.us to assume in advapeeSthat they
our natural and actual allies--intcnd to do
tl.at, to which our Judgment isso decidedly op.
posed-subDit without struggle to the con-
troll Of sectional hostile Black Republican
administration. We need as an indispensable
necessity to successful resistance, Southern CO.
operation. AS Mr.. Calhoun declared long ago,
that is the one thing needful." 1t seems to
me that it is not good policy to raise doubt.
full question in advance. which will certainly
have the effect of damaging the prospects of
such CO operation. If we assume that we will
not have cooperation, that very assumption
will aid in preventing it.
If against all our united efforts Lincoln
should be elected, tken We should go for the
cooperation Of all the Southern States in, ta-
king measures "to set our house in order" If
for the cooperation of the cotton States, or Mt
least some of them. If these should fail US,
then al the proper time, we can, with the
whole field before u.s. decide for ourselves
whether we will abide the fnte of our Southern
sisters equally interested with US, or secede
separate and alone. In the language of the
lamented Judge Butler: Separate snglchand-
ed secession is the last arrow in the quiver, and
should be reserved for the last, most desperate
emergency"
81. The discussion Of the question now will
divide our own people unnecessarily. and at q
time the most inoFportune. In so important
matter it is of the utmost consequence. .ha
We should be united. For one State alone to
secede from the Union would be grave mat.
ter, under any circumstances. but with divi-
ded people its success would be utterly irnpos-
sble. We atep pll now united, let US remain 80
at least, until. after the Presidential election,
and events force issues. Let us not in advance
wantonly ydivide among ourselves Let us for
thepresent bestow all our blows upon our ene-
mics. The cxpediency Of separate secession is
a very different question from the causes of our
dissatisfaction or their extent. 1t is simply a
questi6nssof policy-whetl'cr. considered in
referehoe to, ourselves, it is wise tor unwise.-
Gentlemen may agree as to the evil, and yet
differ as to the remedy. This is no new ques.
tion in South Carolina. 1t was we'll consider
ed, and many thought eolemnly decided in
1852. At that time great differences o opinion
existed. and if the question is re-opened the
same differences will doubtless again exhibit
themselves.
The Convention of 1852 decided that IL was
inexredient at that time for South Carolina, to
secede alone. And the Legislature as late as
last December citing and approving the action
of the. sConveution, "Rrsolurd, unanimously,
That the State of South CAROLINA still deferrng
to her Southern sisters, nevertheless announces
to them. that it is the deliberate judgment of
this General Assembly, thpt the slaveholding
States should Immediately meet together to
concert measures for united action.' It would
seem that cooperation is the settled policy OF
South Carolina, and an unable TO see what
can be gained by now in advance re-opening
this question, and reyiving the old divisions
among our people. =
4th. As the co operation Of other States l.
desirable. South, Carolina is not the proper
State to lead off in this matter. She has at
tempted once to lead the South, and was
obliged, after much effort and great excitemens
to fall back upon co operation. It is not to be
denied that South Carolina wants the full con.
fdence of her Southern sisters upon this sub.
ject 1t is notoriou.lg 'ffue thatste Is charged
with disunion proclivities. We think the dis
trust untounas but it is nevertheless true.
The South. w1stbeey more apt to follow the
lead of any 2snstate. 1t seems to me
| therefore that19tsan'best serve tl.e* common
cause by taking no position in Sdxa5d1.: The
position Of South Carolina is weH known.
Every man in America knows that she il
| ready, and there Is no necessity for her to
make strong declarations. which subsequent
events, may make it necessary to explain OF
qualify. Let US stand upon our we'll known
position-cease from resolving and wait with
dignity until the proper times comes, and then
9th. The Legislature now to be elected will
| not haye tile 'decision of the questions of SEP.
.fste secession and hence the question has not
bSsh made in: the different Districts of tde
State. believe this is the only one, in which
it has been mooted in tha Legislative canvass
u xThe State of South Carolina can only be car
sa.tied out of the Union by Convention Of the
1.people and in no other way. The only pow.
FER the Legislature1ss in reference to secession
is to call Convention. u Lineolp is elected
| think aA&ayention SHOULD be cSated in ti,i
State. as J6ill certainly be called in Ala
ba4a, and;perhaps other Southern State,.-
That is all a member Of the Legislature can .lt
upon the subject. The question Of remedy in al
its forms can be made and deeided.by the peo
pie in the election of members to that Con
yention. To make it now aud divide the peo-
pie will accomplish nogood purpose whatever
and will certainly havesthe effect Of giving,ait
and eomf9rt TO the enemy In the Presidsntia
election. II would result JIM, a dispute ;smone
.eurseises: over which Me- Black RepuB,iean.
would raise a howl Of delight and make ,capi
ital in the election
These are my views frankly expressed.
rspeat they have been formed solely in refer
ence to the public good, aud without th,
slightest regard 10 the prospects Of my elee.
tipu to.thes Legislature. shink that a xer,
4 snisa dtter. Whatever may :be thsss resnIt Q
lie pending election; the Dissrict d Abbesillt
has salresdy placed me under debt. Of graft
4 tn -rxto