Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-03-08

pe"ple Of the South as political and social
equals. No gentlemen I. n-ver---never uutii by
your power, your art and your virtue. you can
unfix the unehanu cable ecopomy, of the E,er
nsl God, can you make OF the7peopIe. Of the
North and the people Of the South one people.
An irresist ble inetinct Of selfPreservation has
forced the cotton States to recognise this abeo
Lutte and imperative diversity. and they are
now2proceeding,to erect their inatitutions on
its present necessity. The Northern States are
also manifesting their recognition Of The same
diversity BY preparing, with the aid Of the
agents Of non slavery, known as the Army and
Navy Of tho Unitei States, 10 attempt the sub
ugation Of the Southern States.
believe the question to be decided by you,
gentlemen. is whether Virginia. like the item:
bling Egyptian. will skulk for shelter ben. . tn
the crumbling fragments Of past greatness.
u dwell under the scourge Of a naughty. but
mean task master: or whether she will step
forth, aud, with one voice hush this storm Of
war. and keep the ancient glory Of her name
The times must he far more distempered than
now indeed. prophecy dare not seek, for it
can never reach that future, when Virginians
will hesitate to decide this question.
Mr.. Prssidrpt. the people Of South Carolina
have declared in the language of the various
compacts between them aud their confcder-
ates. that they have always retained their SOW
ereigntty and independence; that they, wi h
their Confederates. did i. legate certain pow ers
to common agent: that, by THEN coufeder-
ates, this compact has been violated. and the
Government established under it has becurne
destructive of The purposes for which it was
established. and it is. therefore, their right to
abolish that Government. 30 far as it concerns
them, an institute another. They, have sol
emnly ordnin-d, and now, and have { r
sixty days, been maintaining that ordinahc"
by arms--,hat all .litical connection with
the Government Of the United states is dis
solved
The admitted rule on which they have re
sorted to arms is. THAT violation Of psrf.ct
right. either committed or committing, or with
which people is Threatened in the future. jus
tiies the undertaking of war-an,icabIe means
having been tried in vain. or when it. is evilrt
that it would he evident that it would be usr
lsss 10 try suc:. means, justice requires resort
to arms"
On this rule, the people of South Carolina
have resorted to arms iu defence of "perf.ct
| right"
, As1 have stated. they have maintained this
position for reasonable time, notw withsta and.
| ing their chief harbor has heen blookaded, and
their territory invaded they have maintained
It in honor against fslsehood snd trenci,ery
they maintained it until Ave millions Of peo
pie aud six sovereign States have joined with
them TO form government. in which, in the
| language OF the eminent citizen who has been
placed in the charge Of the Executive Depart
ment of that Government, there can be doubt
that courage and patriotism Of the people
Of the Confederate States will be found equal
u any measures Of defence which our homo,
aud security may require. Farther obstacles
may retard the progress of that Government,
but they cannot long prevent the progress of q
movement sanctifed by q vtr,uous people,
| Reverentiy. let us invoke The God of our faith
ers to guide and protect us in our efforts tc
perpetuate the principles which, by his bless
ing. they Were able to vindicate. establish and
transmit 10 posterity; and with that contin-
u~nce Of His favor ever gratefully acknowi
edged, we will hopefully look forward to sue
cess. peace and prosperity" ...' '.'''r
| Believing the righte violated and the inter
ests involved, are Identical with the right,
| and interests Of the people Of Virginia. nd
remembering their ancient an'ity. and thei,
common glory. the people of South Caroiin.
| have instructed rne to ask. earnestly and res
pectfuliy, tbs, the people Of Virginia VIM joir
them in tile protection Of these rights and in
| teresta
Mr.. President. I have perfnrmed my mission
and do now. 10 the name of my Government
tendsr 10, this Conven the =. m"st cordial
thanks for their honora bio censiderstioa. of my
mission; and is my own behalf, / offer TO tn
Convention and the citizens Of Virginia, my
heartfelt gratitude for their eobla. courtesy aas
most generous kindness to myself personally.
|