Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-03-23

manner, and only expressed my regret for
the publication Of opinions which / pre-
sumed the honorable member disapprov-
ed as much as myself. In this, it seems,
| was mistaken. do not remember that
the gentleman has disclaimed any senti-
ment, or any opinion Of a supposed anti
Union tendency, which on all or any Of
the recent occasions has been expressed.
The whole drift Of his speech has been
rather to prove, that iii divers times and
manners, sentiments equally liable to my
objection have been promulgated in New
I England. And one would suppose, that
his object, in this reference to Massachn-
sets, was to find a precedent to justify
proceedings in the South, were it not for
the reproach and contumely with which
he labours all along, to load his proceed.
ents. By way Of defending South Caroli-
ma from what he chooses to think an at
tack on her, he first quotes the example Of
Massachusetts and then deDounces that ex-
ample, in good set terms. This two-fold
purpose, not very consistent with itself,
one would think, was exhibited more than
once in the course of his speech. He re-
ferred, for instance, to the Hartford Con-
yention. Did he do this for authority, or
for a topick of reproach Apparently for
both: for he told US he should find no
fault with the mere fact of holding such
convention, and considering and discuss
ing such questions as he supposes we're
then and there discussed but what rem.
dered it obnoxious was the time it was
] holden, and the circumstances of the
country, then existing. We were in a
war, he said, and the country needed all
our aid the hand Of Government required
to be strengthened, not weakened, and
patriotism should have postponed the pro-
ceedngs to another day. The thing it.
self. then, is precedent the time and
manner of it only subject to censure.
Now, sir, 60 much farther on this point
than the honorable member. Suppos-
ing, as the gentleman seems to, that the
Hartford Convention assembled for any
such purpose as breaking up the Union,
because they thought unconstitutional
laws had been passed or to concert on
that subject, or TO calculate the value of
the Union; surprising this to be their pur-
pose, or any part of il, then say the
meeting itself was disloyal, and was OBJ
noxious to censure, whether held in time
peace or time of war, or under whatev-
er circumstances. The material matter
is the object. Is dissolution the object if
I it be, external circumstances may make
it more or less aggravated case, but can
not affect the principle. l do not, hold
therefore sir, tina. the Hartford Conven-
lion was pardonable, even TO the extent of
the gentleman's admission, if its objects
were really such as have been imputed to
it. Sir. there never was time, under
any degree of excitement, in which the
Hartford Convention, or any other con-
yention could maintain itself one moment
in New-England if assembled for any such
purpose as the gentleman says would
have been an allowable purpose. To hold
conventions to decide questions of consti-
tutional law Ito try the validity of stat
utes by votes in convention Sir, the
Hartford Convention, l presume, would
not desire that the honorable gentleman
should be their defender or advocate, if
he puts their case upon such untenable
and extrayagant grounds.
Then, sir, the gentleman has no fault
to find with these recently promulgated
South-Carolina opinions. And, certainly,
he need have one,-for his own senti-
ments as now advanced, and advanced on
reflection, as far as | have been able to
comprehend them, go the full length of
all these opinions. propose, sir, to say
something on these, and to consider how
far they are just and constitutional. Be.
fore doing that, however, let me observe,
the eulogium pronounced on the characte
Of the State Of S. Cardinal by the honoura-
bic gentleman, for her revolutionary aud
other merits, meets my hearty concur
renee. | shall not acknowledge that the
honorable member goes before me in
regard for whatever Of distinguished tai
ent or distinguished character, South
Carolina has produced. / claim part Of
the honour, l partake in the pride of her
great names. Iclaim them for country
men, one and all. The Laurens, the
Ru,ledges, the Pinckneys, the Sumpters,
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., alI--whose fame
is no more TO be hemmed in by State
lines than their talents and patriotism were
capable Of being circumscribed within the
same narrow limits. In their day and
generation, they served and honoured the
country, and the whole country; and
their renown is of the treasures of the
whole country. Him, whose honoured
name the gentleman himself bears-does
he suppose me less capable of gratitude
for his patriotism, or sympathy for his
sufferings, than if his eyes had first OPEN
ed upon the light in Massachusetts instead
Of South Carolina Sir, does he suppose
it in his power to exhibit Carolina name
so bright as to produce envy in my bosom
No sir-increased qualification and 40 |