Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-08

| And may your days glide sweetly on
| In happiness and peace.
THE SECESSION CONSPIRACY IN 1851
| From the New York Tribune.
Tho Plottings Of Rebellion-the Issue in Its
Magnitude.
Eleven years ago, leading spirit of Vir-
ginia addressed leading spirit of South Car
olina, and distinctly presented the great issue
of to-day. The following letter, written in
1851, by Mr.. Garnett, then member of the
Virginia Convention sitting to revise the Con
stitutiOn OF the State. to Mr.. Trcscott of South
| Carolina afterward Assistant Secretary of
| State under Mr.. Buchanan, is fully significant
| of the matured designs of the Secessionists
This letter was captured at the residence of
Mr.. Prescott, on Barnwel's Island, and con-
tains the reasonings aud motives of the trail
tors who inaugurated the Rebellion The
meaning of the letter is clear on its face 1t
needs no commentary. We ask our fellow
Democrats to read and ponder it. AS Demo-
Gratis we accept the issue as the traitors them
selves understand it--as we understand it and
as the leading rebels who control the South
have forced it on the nation-Slavery and De-
mocracy Incompatible! Which shall go un-
der? Let true Democrats answer the question
Lorenzo Sherwood, George P. Nelson,
Henry O'Rielly, John j. Speed,
Chas. p. kirkland, Henry C.. Gardiner,
Thomas Ewbank.
Corresponding Committee OF the Democrat
ic League. New York, Sept. 20, 1862
Letter from Mr.. Garnet, of Virginia, TO Mr..
1rescoh, Of South Carolina.
Va. CONVENTION, May 8, 1851.
My Dear Sir You misunderstood my last
letter If you supposed that intended to visit
South Carolina this spring. I am exceeding
ly obliged to you for your kind invitations
and it would afford me the highest pleasure
to interchange, in person, sentiments with
friend whose manner OF thinking so closely
agrees with my own. But my engagements
here closely conane me to this city, and deny
me such qualification.
l would be especially glad to be in Charles
ton next week, and witness your Convention
of Delegates from the Southern Rights Asso-
Citations. The condition of things in yonr
State deeply interests me her wise foresight
and manly independence have placed her as
the head of the South, to whom alone true
hearted men can look with any hope or plea
sure. MomentOus are the consequences which
depend upon your action. Which party will
who are opposed to separate State action at
this time For my part, forbear to form
wish. We're l a Carolinian, it would be very
different; but when consider the serious ef-
fects the decision may have on your future
veal or wo, feel that citizen of a State
which has acted as Virginia, has no right to
interfere, even by wish. II the General
Government allows You peaceably and freely
to secede, neither Virginia nor any other
Southern State would, in my opinion, follow
you at present. But what would be the effect
upon South Carolina? Some OF our best friends
here suppose that it would cut of Charleston
from the great Western trade which she is
now striking for. and would retard very great
ly the progress of your State. confess that
1 think differently. 1 believe thoroughly in
our own theories, and that if Charleston did |
not grow quite so fast in her trade with other
States, yet the relief from Federal taxation
would vastly stimulate your prosperity. If
so, the prestige OF the Union would be destroy |
ed, and you would be the nucleus for South |
ern Confederation at no distant day. But |
do not doubt, from all have been able to
learn. that the Federal Government would use |
force, beginning with the form most embar-
RAISING to you, and least calculated to excite
sympathy; mean a naval blockade. In that
event, could you Withstand the reaction feel
ing, which the suffering commerce OF Charles
ton would probably manifest2 Would yoa
not lose that in which your strength consists,
the union OF your people7 l do not mean to
imply an opinion. only ask the question.
If You could force this blockade, and bring
the Government to direct force, the feeling
in Virginia would be very great. trust in
God it would bring her to your aid. But il
would be wrong in me to deceive you by
speaking certainly. cannot express the deep
have felt at her course this
Winter But do not believe that the course
of the TeOislature is a fair expression of the l