Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-11-19
pDATTT GAZE.

JUDGE Jf-H. SMITHS l. LETTER.
TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF. SOUTH CAROLINA
FELLow-CIrIzENs On the great topics OF a c
Tariff and Internal Improveme Mt that now so d4epIy
agitate the public mind throug bout the Safe of South
Carolina, there are certainly neu,ras. Indeed, i,
would appear that to he under any
circumstances Every finds his opinions either
called for expected, and il not given improper mo-
tves are attributed 10 his silence.
left home the latter end OF June, on travsI with
my famiy, and did not return in time to avail mself
tbs polite invitations OF the citiz.ns of Sateburg and
its vicinity OF the citizens of Lancaster District or Of
the citizens Ct Richland District to partake Of their
public dinners Qor which take this tender
them seyerally, my most respectful acknow
where might have mir gled in free discu. ion and
interchange OF opinions with the distip gushrd eii
zens OF those places; or have transmitted my view,
through the medium OF a letter, many other gentle.
men saw h to do. But when left s. Carolina, had no
nimations from aOy quarter, that the people were TO
be called together in largo assemblies and these topic.
publicly di cuserd before them; and the questions OF
notification and convention urged wi h warmth
for their immediate adoption. IL such had been the
course previously contemplated by any persons whom
soever, they had kept profound secret from Had
proportion OF that sort been suggested, had posi-.
bic motive why shoud.not have given my views then.
aswe az other members Of Congress & other citizens
have dono. However, returning az 1 did on the very
eve OF The general elections, bnt rot in time for ms
views to have reached every portion Of the State pre-
vious 10 that event. determined to wait until the .ec-
lions were over; not in the least doubling, that any
thing might say, if entitled to any consideration,
would weigh just as much with an impartial and re-
hectng community whose OF jet could only be truth
and whose end could only be the public good pos
sbly couid have done, had uttered il TO them in the
midst Of the animated and highly excited canvass
that perhaps, has ever agated the State. AS that con
test is now past and tranquility in some degree restor-
ed 10 the public mind such opinion have been led
to form for myself under existing circumstances beg
leave 10 present, without in the least degree presunng
upon its ntability.
There have been unki, remaIks upon my sup
posed silence 1t is not true that have been silent
10 my speech in the Senate last winter 10 the debate
on Foots resolusns, explicitly said IL would not be
necessary for the Peope TO rise ia their might to mt
dorm by ore portion seeding from the
Union, or by the diretui alternative, cip ,pay
fhof WOULD drench The States 10Th the blood of their
cttiz,ns Aud had what there aid on the subject OF
the Tariff been taken altogether gentleman could
have mistaken my opposition to nulli6 a,ioD the doc
trine then ed by other gentlemen in that de-
bate or indeed, to any other strong there
gave my reasons for my opinion. went further during
the last session of Congress; before left Washog ton
wrote to sevea al disting ushed gentlemen of nv se
quansnce in South Carolina, and gave il than
probable that both the Tariff and Internal Improve
meDt systems we're fast crumbing away, and would
coon he entirely demolished gave my reaeons why
l thought 50. When returned home from congress-
gave It as my belief, and publicly too, TO all with
whom convsrsed, that the rapid decline end speedy
dissolution OF those systems, thought could be no long
er doubted. Among The distinguished citizens to whom
i made these communications, were the Hon. Judge
Dessu'sure, and several gentlemen OF the bar Spar
tanburgh Court, in June Iast. 1 also called on
there, by The members OF the Legislature OF Spartan
burg District, with Col. Isasc Smith their heat no
asked Tor my opinion, explicitly, whether thought the
legislature Of South Carolina ought to adopt the strong
OF or convention 10 arrest these
sstemsl undertaking Iyold them thought IT uDneees-
ssry Tor the Legislature TO do this time sunder the
present. prospect OF their dissolution by easier and safer
mesns AMI gave them my also Tor that belief Al
this interview, which public, and in the midst Of
Large conconrse the Hon w. r Nuckol. was present;
and know that my visws were spoken Of without re-
siraiDt by many who heard them. Nor had I any wish
tshouid have bsen otherwise SO that ray fellow .o
ZsnS VIII plainly p receive that tho impula'ion OF
dudiel silence on NY part is unjust.
In giving my views shall not go int, any elaborate
dissertation OF what the constitution ought have been
or how 1t might have been bstter conUrueied 10
secure Perpeuity OF equal rights and innuntrs to
The ciZens OF the different portions OF the Union Nor
fhaIl aenp lengthy analysis OF the cons iuonsl
principles upon which The advocates Of tho,s systems
their legimacy: IL is sufficient that we know thew
exit, and that they bear uneuuav uniusilv and on
pressvey upon the people Of the Southern States and
tend directly to diminish the profits of their labor ,Sitl
cut any Eecessary exaction tom the general govern.
nen Tor 40 great sacrifice; whilst they are Kept in
operation by that government, avowedly for the pur.
pose OF augmsn dnS The fortunes and SUSTAINING
he spseulaions, OF other portions Of tbs citizens
thr united STATES, upon no better authority than wha
Hde,ivsd tom that inexhsusblo fountain Of implied
iegrsiVe powcrs, che public good snd general wei
Iarej or nom ha' eth more excepti0nabie and more
dangerous doctrine, "the power of congresa TO raise
money, aud consequently the power 10 disburse il in
the nsnucton Ut roads the excavation o ranaI. q,
"ny other extrsVsgant purposes, wbict their cupidty
or their ambition may suggest" Either Of which, II
carried out, ard adopted sound constitutional doctrine
would lead directly TO DOlsrste despoiisn aud exGn
Gusb NE equality o rights intended % to secured ~
the constitution