Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-21

SourH CARoLINA "A, L: o'eicek or Satu asy IN.
lih lust NJ NEE Hamilton. Js took the Ga hs o,
One, a. ver or OF the State In The pre- senee II both
branches OF lie Lesi a,ure-sn which occasion, he
delivered the follow ne Address:
=. Gentlemen IF the Senate, and
"House Of Representatives.:
I should be nsensibc to those obligations which are
due TO your Kindness, aud to the dignity and
billy Of the trust you have been pleased to conde to
my II did not express to you my profound era
titude, as well as the uniegned difdence with which
approach the performance OF its duties In the dis
charge OF these duties shall have little else 10 offer
you Tor the want OF experience and ability than an anx
ious wish. aud Jealous determination to do all i'm my
power TO promote the interests and to sustain the cha
raccr OF our state.
| "The Constitution Of South Carolina has wisely with
held from its executive, large powers and extensive pa
tronage We have thus avoided the conflicts and often
perious excitement essentially incident an elective
chief magistracy, by making the functions of this OIL
rather to depend the instructions Of the Lepis
lature than independent in themselves.
"That he should take "tha the laws be faithfully
executed in mercy; and that he should give TO the pen
era assembly, information Of the condition of the state
and recommend to their consideration such measures as
he shall judge necessary expedient" are among the
most important mandates of that instrument from
which cur joint authority is derived.
elm obeying the first of these iniunctions II shall be
my honest purpose to execute justly, yet mildly tenn
perately yet firmly, those laws, which may devolye ON
the department over which am destined to preside
SIN discharging the last rccited portion of my duties
1t will be my aim TO bring to your view, every
and seemingly judicous suggestion by which that first
Office OF civilized society be improv
ed and invigoraed-he administration of the Justice of
the countryand as its best auxiliary no opportuntv
shall be permitted escape me of the use
iuness OF our subsstng scheme Of public ucation
which is the only safe and eectual Agraran system by
which the poor participate in the valuable adj
vantages OF the rich Internal Improvement within
our own means and at our own cost in facilitating in
er-commuhicauon between such points in our state
promise decisive and substantial benefits, il will afford
me on all fit occasions the highest satisfaction TO recon
me nj TO your notice; and at the time, suggest
such for the speedy exiting OF the pub
lie debt prODDtly diminish he hur NJ
on. Failing as IL does somewhat within the exclusive
sphere oil my functions, need scarcely add, that my
best efforts shall be excrted TO improve the discipline
and increase the efficiency of our mila-a species of
force however dparagingy may be regarded as am in
srument for invading and violating the affairs and fire.
sides oil other nations, has been found by experience
the best defence for In one word gentlemen
shall greatly mistake the path my own inclnations
point out to and the light of those examples which
are before me- more proximaely but not less nstruc
lively that OF my immediate, distinguished and patriotic
predecessor, il fail to ask your jealous cooperation
or separate action the constitution provides in every
measure calculated to advance the interest promote the
happiness, and add within the compass of Just and hon
ora6le ambition, to the reputation of South Carolina
mere might with propriety stop, il not adj
monished by feelings, by what believed TO he
yours and the unexamped excitement of our own peo
pie that few words due TO the public crisis and to
the relations which South Carolina bears the Union as
sovereign member OF the Conlederacy.
'In the progress of our federative system we have
reached point at which the momentous question is
submitted, whether we TO live under government
OF limited or unlimited powers-or in other terms whe
ther majority, by licenous construction of the com
pact OF Unon are at liberty annu that provision i'm
he onsntu'ion, which requires the assent OF three
iourhs oil the States, TO an amendment comforting new
powers the Federal Governments or whether Il is TO
be allowed to substitute, whenever power is wanted
for some selfish temporary interest their own inter-
pretaton oil The instrument in the place of an appeal 10
this Just source Of all authority
on the decision OF this question: every thing dear to
ourselves, and pressbiy valuable to our nos,erit
depends.
The claim OF an indefinite power of taxation on the
part oil the General Government for whatever purpose
the majority may deem 'the general welfare" accom-
panied by the usurpaion of the right to regulate the
domestic industry, and 10 certain extent the domestic
police OF the States untedly form system, the past
eViis OF which, experience may have revealed but
thosc which are to come i'm their appalling magni
tude, TO battle all speculation
'Under this novel code of political ethics by which
me CONSTITUTIONS construed TO mean whatever is profit
able to majority the Southern States gradually
sinking into the condition of Colonies of them not
only losing the prosperity, but what is far more aict
ing, the spirit of Sovereign States.
sit is not to be denied, that this portenous change ha.
been the result OF perversion of the charter of
the conederacy in relation TO the power distributing
as well as raising, the revenue of the country. 1t is
iact susceptible OF demonstration, that no people are
more grevously taxed, in proportion to their income
than the staple growing States of the South These
burdens, oppressive they on our consmption le
We'd in form the most nsdious and the least likely TO
challenge detection are light in comparison with those
which we feel in the diminished value of our staple
products, with which our commercial exchanges are
effected.
In This condition et thing, il il but poor cono'a-
ton TO know, that we yet have the forms of free
whilst we are the victims of the ends OF an arbitrary
government. Melancholy the fact NAV be- il i. i'm
possible to conceal it, TRUTH that with macy oher ex
pefinents in government, have ilus.ra-d this no.
sitlon, that the moment a sectional majority in con-
tsderacy the limits of The compact OF Union and
brings the power OF taxation 10 hear uneauaIIy on
sscuonai minority, the absence Of all responsibility IN
the part OF those who govern, to those are thus
oppressed makes such system one of tn meet unre
lenDgly unjust, and implacably self n that can well
De devised; aud Tor this manifest reason, that majority
nus circumsanced, separated by geographical as
wen az political causes fom that sympathy and identity
OF interest wih The minority, which the only I'M
falling and eectua guaranty for Justice on the
part Of those entrusted with authority.
We are thus suffering under all the evils of a rom
sohdateh government, without even that securi'y re-
SuItlng from It's orms, W ich participation in the
choice OF the representatives who form this very ma
iriy would give ~ But must we be compelled 10
take refuge in this odous form OF government and thu.
blot ou, from this Western RI misphete that beautiful
constellation Of States, which in so much spe oJor
and which. in so sad ccnjuncture, must set in such
unn'ttrabis darkness. trust not, No people, per-
fec'y Informed OF their rights need despair Of their
preservation. independently OF those resovrces for
'he honor and safety Of the country, which belong TO
those on whom 10 tecreancy in the discharge of tie
ofiiees of patriotism has lett STAIN it is our peculiar
destiny 20 possess ghts which, " resulting from
the compact OF union, are inseparabe from each Slate
IN its sovereign character, which az "a
they are conservative in their operation and effect
The mind that conc lived, aud The hand that Dire "
the Declaration oil independence performed scarcely
more valuable service to the cause of free PRINCIPLES
than ty announcing the inestinabie truth That the
several States composing the United States of America
are not united On the principal OF unlimited submission
10 their General Government-Thst the Government
created by The compact wac not made the exclusive or
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