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750 Docu7)icnts State) this Convention is restricted in its action and limited in its dura- tion, when it is obvious that sovereign power must be above all legislation. Even the body which calls this Convention into existence has had its powers called in question, and the able arguments which have appeared against it have convinced many that that body was not constitutionally the Legislature of our State. Should we not then reserve ourselves for every objection which can be made to the legitimacy of this Convention for the day of reckoning and account, when the people shall have recov- ered from the intoxication of the present excitement and return to their usual sobriety ? But if delegates of our party take their seats in that body will they not commit the party to abide by its decrees and support its character? At all events they will add to it all the weight and influence which those delegates will possess as men high in the confidence and es- teem of their own party. Again, by keeping aloof and avoiding party contests for the present, we withdraw that external pressure which is the only power capable of binding and uniting a party harmoniously together and expose our adver- saries inevitably to dissensions and contentions, which have never failed in the history of the world to divide triumphant parties and break them in pieces. While party is arrayed against party, the most aspiring can be controlled by the danger of defeat. But when power and office are en- tirely within the gift of one party, the ambitious, no longer fearing a common enemy, will certainly contend for them among themselves. In addition to all this we would urge that if the Nullifiers eventually fail and the Union is preserved, the mere fact of having held a seat in that body will be a reproach always requiring explanation ; for then, like the Hartford Convention, it will consign its members to an odious fame. This much we are instructed to say to you privately, in vindication of the course pursued by our party in the parishes, to be communicated to such as you choose, particularly the influential, but not to be published. We are also instructed to suggest that even if you find it necessary to run a ticket for delegates to the Convention in order to maintain our superi- ority in your district, whether it would not be best for the delegates when elected to refuse to take their seats and thus keep your district altogether unrepresented. This course would be a sufficient cooperation with us here, without yielding the contest in the districts where we are strongest, and possibly might be best ; but should your delegates take their seats in the Convention we fear a fatal breach will be made in the ranks of our party. The Nullifiers are already felicitating themselves upon a division in our ranks. It remains for you to decide whether you will blast their hopes or confirm their anticipations. With respect, gentlemen, we re- main your obedient servants, Edward McCrady,^ Richard Yeadon, Jr. John Phillips, Committee of Correspondence for the Parishes of St. . ^A nephew of Justice William Johnson of the United States .Supreme Court. From 1844 to 1S50 he was United States district attorney for the district of South Carolina.