The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1861-02-07
The Retiring senators.

4 ~ ~ So''S"SoS oht III Scli, tIlstI Tile people
of Alabama have adopted an ordinance OF
separation, and that they are all in favor OF
withdrawing from this Union | wish it to
be understood that this is the act of the
people of Alabama, in taking this momen-
tous step. 1t is nearly forty-two years since
Alabama came into this Union She en-.
tered itamid violence and excitement, caused
by the hostility Of the North against the
institution Of slavery at the South. 1t is
this same spirit of hostility at the North
which has effected the secession of Missis-
sippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida
and Alabama. 1t has denied Christian
communication, because it could not en-
dure what it styles the leprosy of slavery.
1t refuses us permission to pass through
the North with our property, in violation
OF the constitution and the laws ofCongrcss,
designed to protect that property. 1t has
refused Us any share in the lands acquired
mainly by cur diplomacy, our blood, and
| our treasure
1t has robbed US of our property, and
/ refused restoration. 1t has refused to de
liver up criminals against our law who
| fed to the North with our property, or
with blood upon their hands, and it threat
cncd us with punishment and murdered
| Southern men who attempted the recovery
| of their property. Ii invaded the borders
ot Southern States, burned the dwellings,
and murdered the families Ilabituul vio-
latcrs Of the rights OF humanity, they have
exhausted all that human ingenuity can
devise, and all that Jisbplical malice can
invent, to heap indignity upon rs and
make u hy-word, Kissing and scorn
throu shout the civilized worib. Yes, we
bore all this for many years, and might
have borne it many years longer, under the
oft repeated assurance and tundly cherished
hope that these things were not the action
and feeling Of majority, but minority
| party.
But the failure OF those promises and
our hopes have coaclu>ivcly proved to u
that there is no hope The platform of
'hc Republican party we regard as de-
caratlon Of war against the lives and in
stItu;Ions ct the Southern people Ii not
only ropruachcs us as unchristian and
| hcatheuish, and Tmput,s to us a sin and
crime, hut adds words inSu ting and hostile
to our domestic tranquility. In lis dcclar-
alton that our negroes are entitled 10 iibcr-
ty and equality with white men, it is in
| >prtl, ii not IN fact; strong incitcmcnt to
lnsurrcction, arson murder and other crimes
| And 10 aggr waite the insult, the same plat
form denies us equality with men or free
negroes, and brands us as an inferior race.
10 cap the climax of insult to our feelings
and this menace to our rights, this party
nominated Tor the Presidency man who
not ymly endorsed the platform, and promised
to enforce its principles, but diSrcgards the
ia Ign MS OF your courts. the obligations
fyour Cons tuition, and The requirements
Of his oath by approving any bill to pro.
hibit slavery in the Territories OF the
'ntcd States
y large majority OF the Nor;hc-n people
have declar, d their apj rova oI the plat
form aud candidates Of the party inthe late
elect on. 1t is the solemn verdict Of the
| people OF the North that the slavcholdine
commu tics OF the South, are to bc out
lawcd and branded with ignominy, and con
| signed to cXccra.ion and ultimate di>truc-
ton Sr are we looked upon as more or
! less than men? Is it expected that We will
or can exercise ,hat GOOD like virtue that
! b, arcth all lhings, cndurcth all things
! which tells us To love our enemies, and bless
! them that curse u? Are we expected to
he denied the scusibilitics, the sentiments,
the passions, the reason, the instincts OF
men? Have we not pride and honor; lIay c
| We 10 cnsc of shame, no reverence for our
ancestors, and care for our postcrity? Have
We no love of our home, of family, of fr ends?
Must we confess our bascness. discrclit the
fame Of our sires dishomor ourselves and
degrade our postclity, abandon our homes,
flee our conntry-ail, all for the sake OF
Union! Must we agree to live under the
ban of our Own government Must we acaui.
cscc III the Inauguration Of President cho-
sen by co! tederatc aud hostile States
political faith constrains him to deny Us
our constitutional right
Must we consent to live under n govr RI
mcnt which we believe will hcnceioIth he
administratcd by those wLo do not only
deny us justice and equality, but brand us
as interiors? Whose avowed principles and
policy must destroy our done,t tranquil
lity and impcri the lives of our wives and
children, and ultimately destroy our States?
Must we live by choice or compulson un-
der the rule of those who present us the
alternative Of an irrePcssiblc conflict in
defence of our altars and our fircsidcs,
or the manumssion Of our slaves and their
admission tosocial equality? No, sir, never,
never. The free men Of Alabama have
proclaimed to the world that they will not,
and have proven their sincerity 10y seeding
from the Union, and Drawing all the dan
GERS of a separate and independent nation
among the powers of the earth Asatruc and
loyal citizen of the State approving of her
action. acknowledging entire allegiance,
and feeling that am absolvcd by her
from all my obligations to suppo the Con
stitution of the nitcd States. | withdraw
from this body, intending to return to the
bosom Of my mother and sh re her tate and
maintain her fortunes
In one of the English colonies a compct-
tive examination was lately held for the