Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-25
900 otto Sza 1s6M,
MONDAY MORNINt, MAY 25, 1880.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

MONDAY MORNING, MAY 25. 1880.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
We have recently had occasion to observe that as
tar as Intentions to be inferred from language
profession and menace, doubt remained but that
1t was the fixed purpose Of the ascendant party in s.
Carolina, to place that State iii an insurgcns attitude
towards the Government of til, Union. unless their
conditions of repeal of the Tariff. were complied
with. We the term "nsurgent" because we
presume, that is the proper word to describe dsobc
dience to laws passed by competent authority, end
from disposition widen the breach, or to irri-
tate the feelings of those engaged in the design.
The proofs of this determination daily multiply
and It is much to be feared that if originally it was
nothing than defamation, the party will final
ly place themselves IN situation where pride and
shame, mnglng with rcsentunsnt, viii coerce them
to attempt, what necessity did require them to
undertake.
The question of declaring the Tariff inoperaiirc u,
5. Carolina, appears to be considerably the violent
and influential journals on that side, the Mercury and
the Telescope, settled; and the only remaining
question to be decided whether this shall be done by
the ordinary Legislature, or by Convention elect
ed for. md limited to. that object. The papers are
filed with the discussions of this point and heat
appeals addressed to the public, stimulating it to
meet the crisis sud calling upon the members of
Congress from, Carolina to vacate their seats and
return to their constituents
There Is prevailing temper to treat these indca
tlons with ievi'y, and to consider them the ebui-
tions of artificial, and very limited excitement To
what extent the resolution oil resistance pervades the
people OF $. Carolina or whether it embracesa ma
EJority OF Tue population, VIE decides but there
is reason to fear that although the opponents are
confessedly numerous, the mass ofthc people partake
OF tae fanaticisrn and are prepared to second the
anti-iederal designs of the leaders. The men of the
State best known for their talents and from serving
| IN the General Councils, with the exception of Mr
Calhoun who is CONTROLLED by his position are not
exceeded in violence by the subordinate agents who
have been bucy flaming the flame of disunion.
However then it may terminate, the appearances
IN s. Carolina are truly alarming to the phlanthro-
psf and the friend of the Union. Onthe one hand
to repeal the Tariff at their discretion not only to
subnt the majority to the minority bu: to set pre-
cedent which leaves Congress to be bullied bv
single state in succession On the other hand, the
immediate, and as it would the certain prospect
is presented of State annullng an act of Congress,
by her Own authority, refusing its operation within
gress, and standing to her to resist attempts at
compulsion. momentous and threa en;no
crisis has never occurred in American history: for
or perseverance, on the part of the Fede
raj authorities, is attended with equal dancer II
must be plain to the lowest capacity, that allow the
dlcaton of one State to change the fixed policy of
the country, and the deliberate will of large rnao-
ry of its citizens at her menaces, is to reverse the
order of nature the principles of all Republican inst;
tutions, and to surrender the Union
We do not wish to present picture more gloomy
than the reality authorizes. More reioiced will No
man De than ourselves, if our forebodnrs prove nm
founded, and the clouds blow off without storm -
But consider it duty to speak on public mat
ters think and to prepare the public mind for
state Of things which seems neither distant ooubt
full
We have laid extracts from S. CaroI;a7 papors.
disclosing The condition of public feeling there before
our readers from time TO time. We make further
extracts below and shall keep the reader advised of
the progress of events ia that quarter as our orma
ton will enable us.
From ,fc Columbia Telcscope
oScs ions resolved at meeting of he Richand So
ciety for constitutional information
Sir-Our society is private, not a public ono; we
meet TO collect and receive: not to publish iuforma-
ton, but at the present crisis, few plain questions
bearing upon the times easily put and easily answer
ed, may have their use. p.
Questions proposed.
l. Can the union be said to be sustained and SUP
ported, II the constitution be violated?
2. Can the constitution be sustained and supported
IT the Legislature who derive all their powers from
the constitution habituay assume powers which the
constitution does not authorize,
.. Is not such an assumption of undelegated pow
ers, usurpation' Is the exercise Of them tyranny,
Are the acts ofan agent or attorney valid and obig
atory, which are not authorized by the instrument
or power under which he acts?
a. May not such unauthorized acts be lawfully re-
sisted, by those upon whom they are exercised?
5. Is resistance to usurped, unauthorized undee-
gated power, any offence legally, or politically?
q. IG n I