Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-15
Gov. Magra'h InstruCts VIM. Henry
rresCOtt to sound GOV. Brown. of
STATE OF SoUTH CAROLINA,
ENKCUrIN Der KrMENT.


EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA, Jan. 9, 1865.
StR-The contents of the letter with
which you have been charged to the Gov
ernor OF Georgia. and the conversation
had with you on the subject, to certain
extent, render unnecessary any instruc-
lions. 1t is, neVerthe less, proper 20 pre-
sent TO you briefly, but plainly, the neces-
sity which calls tor the mission with which
you are now charged
The war wagea Upon this confedera
tlO1 affects each state in its condition of
separat9 sovereignty. The area Of each
state Is not so much of a general terrific
rial domain, but marks the dimensions OF
distinct sovereignty. A State in its or
ganlc capacity may part with its terrific
ny; the considerations cannot part with
state. Because it is one of a cOntedera-
ton the State has right to the aid OF all
10 protect it in case Of invasion.
T1e dangers to wuich State is eX-
posed, together with the means of defense
which the confederation possesses. and
the comparison of the advantages OF de-
Tense where two or more States are equal
ly exposed, belong to that common gov
ernmentswhich administers the resources
Of the whole. II the necessities of the
confederation compel the government TO
abandon the defense of State, and if it
is the duty Of that State TO remain loyal
to the compact of that confederation, it is
evidently also its duty to provide for its
own safety.
The State of South Carolina seeks no
other position than that of member OF
this confederation. AS such il is entitled
to the power of the government to protect
il from threatened danger. Ii that pow
er cannot be exercised, il must protect it.
self.
What is true Of one State is true Of all,
and the acknowledgment of that obliga-
ton is really the greatest bond OF union;
for that is a union that cannot be sew
cred, while there is force in any State
to repel invasion. and, in that, prevent
division.
The State of South Carolina is now in
vaded. What is the danger TO which the
State is exposed 1t is believed infinite
~ greater than awaits any other State.
To preserve her safety, it is not only her
duty to herself, out il she can do SO she
fulfills the obligation Of her compact with
her sister States. Her dangers are great
er than such as threaten any other State.
What are her means TO repel them? Like
the other States, her population between
eighteen and fifty years is in the field. she
has called upon those between sixteen
and seventeen and between fifty and six
cannot protect her; these cannot 70
tect Georgia; these cannot protect North
Carolina, nor 81 ssissippi, nor Alabama.
But that for which these are inadequate
in their separate condition in each State
may be available If from two, or three. or
four States, they are united for the de-
Tense of one State. The Confederate Gov
eminent has not called for those; they are
not fit for cOnscrIptiOn. Their OrganiZa-
ton, therefore, is not opposed to, but ben
efcial 10 the common government.
This combination, therefore, Of these
reserved resources can only be secured by
a knowledge in each State OF what the
other has; and that knowledge is only to
be acquired by frequent intercourse be-
tween the authorities OF each. That in
tercourse you are desired upon these
grounds 10 establish.
l wish you to observe particularly that,
so far as this matter is concerned, it re-
lates only to those resources which the
common government does not use. The
poIity of this State has been to give to the
government whatever of physical re-
sources it has. 1t is its right, as we'll as it's
duty, to use all others for its defense, and
If what it has is not sufficient, it may
from its sister States receive aid OF the
like kind.
This it is important for you to observe,
because this State must be guarded
against even the imputatIOn of contract
Ing, or desiring TODD so, the powers or re-
sources which by it have been given to the
common government. 1t has no such pur-
pose, and the means it adopts for its own
safety inure TO the common good.
This careful abstinence in the use Of
these resources from interferences with
the common government must not, how
ever, be understood as affecting the
right, or diminishing, by!disc tanning, the
duty Of the State through Its proper or
gans, either by way of advice, sugges-
ton, or protest, to present its opinion to
any department of the common govern
ment the action of which may seem TO il
unwise or mischievous.
At this time there are two questions
which excite public interest. The one is
the power of the President as the militia
~ commander OF the confederation; the
other, the use Of slaves Tor the purpose OF
recruiting the armies. These two grave
questions are to be considered, not only
as to the decision which shall be made
concerning each of them, but also as to
the mode in which that decision shall be
made.
As to both, it is most important that
you should bear this in mind, Under eX-
listing circumstances, a decision, hOwey-
er abstractly right it may be, is OF no real
benefit unless it is made according to ex-
listing governments as now found in these
States. II, to arrive at decision upon
these question, you are forced to, or,
without being forced, resort to means Of
government not now in operation, it will
be IN itself very mischievOus, If not ruin
Gus, to our cause. Conventions now
called will be, even in that case, resolv-
ing ali organized political condition into
one Of primitive character. That change
or disturbance going on in any State is
mischievous; in all il would be ruinous.
Whatever is the public opinion in any
State, that can be ascertained even now
by the existing governments in each az
well as through a convention of the peO-
pie Of that State. II the opinion OF es-
tablished governments will not prevail,
what force could there be in any other or
gan through which public opinion could
be expressed, which is wholly moral IN
its influence, and has not and cannot have
the means to accomplish its ends! l am
of the opinion that convention now is re-
vOlutOn within revolution.
think ii, too, essential 10 our safety
that we should remember this. With Us
no power assumes the function of prerOga-
tive. 1t is all delegated; it is given; 1t
can be taken away. 1t is the expression
of opinion; and that opinion Is the public
will. Wherever, therefore, that public
will is manifested through the organs OF
government it has constituted for the ex-
ecu.iOn of that will in all public mat
tiers, it must be regarded as entitled TO
respect quite as great as would be given
to that will expressed in convention. l
consider the opinion of the executive, il
confirmed by the concurrence OF the leg
islative department OF the State govern
ments, would be as potential in regard to
any question which was discussed by the
common government, without the danger
or the mischief that would, at this partic-
ular time, result from State conventions.
While. therefore, in the present condl-
tion of our public affairs. everything
prompts US to develop every resource and
correct every mistake, quite as strongly
are we to do or to attempt the doing OF
such things, without excitement or dis
turbauce, or increasing the dangers with
which we are threatened by new or or
ganic changes. Ii, through the State
governments, as now organized, and
through the agencies of the governments
most appropriate for that purpose, can
did appeal Is made to the Government OF
the Confederate States, set
ting forth the present cOndi-
ton OF the States, the disadvantages
to which they are exposed, and the causes
which have led to those disadvantages,
have we not the right to suppose that
what is frankly and not unkindly, truly
yet respectfully, spoken will be heeeded!
Does not the present condition Of our al
fairs require the interpos1tlOn OF the most
active measures, to arrest the mischief
already experienced, and the greater with