Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-10-14

We have received from the Hon. WTrIIAs
the following letter TO the Commit
tee Of Arrangements, in reply to an invita-
ton TO be present at the meeting in Colum-
bia on the goth inst.-C hssteston Courier,
CHARLESTON, SEPT. I6.
GENTLEMEN Il have the honor to acknowl-
edge your polite invitation Of the 18th ult. TO
a dinner in Columbia, to he given en- the 20th
inst. The avowed and liberal purpose Of ne
meeting, is with a view 10 discussion, and
more thorough understanding Of the import
ant p..i,,icei tepics which engage the ailes-
ton OF the people of this State,'' and Of ex-
changing opinions with citizens froa any O.
Their part &c tke State, who may favor ycs
with their attendance.
imust apologize for not making an earlier
acknowledgement OF your favor, by inform.
ing YOU, that thus invited and encouraged,
Immediately wrote a private letter to my
friend, the Chairman OF your Committee, 10
enquire, if he thought | could promise myself
a patient hearing, while defending certain
propositions which | detailed TO him, aud
which constitute my honest views or hsnest
errors, on the great topics which at present
divide US.
/ have waited for an answer, until | could
wait no longer, without committing the inde-
corum, of not answering your invitation in
due form.
regret exceedingly, gentlemen, that | am
now constrained to decline the henor intend
ed me, by your invitation; ] say emphaticai-
", sthe honor" because with the views ex-
pressed in your invitation, it is inn ossible
that your meeting can assume the character
OF one Of those, in which men have SO often
raNnu+Ir k.-r krot,rtt Aon~n4{.c - - L..
ed by wine and defamation, and surprised
into Incorporate toasts and sentiments. !
would as soon be privy to Intoxicating a jury,
that sat upon a case of life ard death, as be
partaker Of a feast Of the latter character.
Believing that the imitation was intended
to elicit my opinion on the grea; topics which
are to affect the approaching election, ] have
no difficulty, gentlemen, in expressing them
In a brief and general manner.
] AGA altogether opposed to the doctrine Of
NuilllcatIon, Ito use a barbaTous and moved
term, Tor want OF a more direct neue Of ex-
pressing an opinion and, as TO a Conyentien,
l think Il a most hazardous measure, and al
together nugatory, unless we mean to secede
from the Union And while I believe that
niue-ienths OF those who favor the measure.
are as honest in being disposed to favor it, as
| ana N my opposition to il, yet must be
permitted TO say, that | most sincerely fear.
that there are among AS, those who press the
calling OF Convention, for the distinct pur-
pose Of 50 cinbreiling our relations with the
tscReral Government, as 10 iarolre the latter
IN the dllaE3na, Of either abandoning he
Ielns OF Government altogether, or Of nlaln-
tanning it by force, In the latter case, they
Aatter themselves that the States or some Of
them, viii take part with US. and thus, in
either case. a dissolution Of the Union would
ensue, IL there are any such, | trust they
are very few IN number, and must think them
only iii to be consigned to the care OF tho
Regent Of the Lunatic Hospital.
There cannot be- a possible case imagined,
in which we shoiid be even countenanced by
a single state, al present
/ ava aware. that in the slang OF the day.
those who think as / do, are rcproachcd with
the epithet OF Submission Men. and the in
P%utation Of fer; but it is equally unjust and
unreasonable in those who claim Tor them
selves the attributes of Patriotism. integrity,
and independent minds, to refuse the same
to others. Nor are there wanting men IA
Cur ranks. who have some p~retenjions 70 cha
ractcr and talents. Our fear. is the fear OF
God, and Of disgrace, and of public catani-
~; our submission, submission to our own
consciences.
win conclude. gentlemen, by rendering
the following toast, with profound respect to
the meeting:
Tie generous feelings Of my Coumtrymen-
Elevation 81 character is conspicuous in lis
most irregular movements. May it never bn
misdirocted by false reasoning, false calca.
false pride, or false men.s
With thc highest respect, / have the plea
sure TO subscribe myself, gentlemen,
-FOUR very humble servant,
WI Ea.s IAIIArEDN- 81