Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-11-03

son, in reply to an invitation to be pres
EFT at Columbia, 2Oth ult:
Charleston, Sept l6.
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge your polite invitation of the
| | 9th ult. to dinner in Columbia, to be
given on the Goth inst The avowed
and Iberai purpose Of the meeting, is
"with' view TO discussion, and more
thorough understanding OF the important
| political topics which engage the atten-
ton Of The people of this State" and of
exchanging opinions with citizens from
any other part of the State, who may
favor you with their attendance.
must apologize for not making an
earlier acknowledgement Of your favor,
by informing you, that thus invited and
encouraged, | Immediately wrote Il private
letter to my friend, the Chairman of your
Commit ee, to enquire, if he thought |
could promise myself a patient hearing,
while defending certain propositions
which detailed to him, and which con-
sttutc my honest views or honest errors,
on the great topics which at present di-
vide us.
| have waited for an answer, until |
could wait no longer, without committing
the ndecorum, Of not answering your
invitation in due form.
iregret exceedingly, gentlemen, that
| am now constrained to decline the hon
or intended me, by your invitation; ] say
emphatically, "the HONOR" because with
the views expressed in your invitation, it
is impossible that your meeting can as
sumo the character of one of those, in
which men have so often recently, been
brought together, to be heated by wine
and defamation, and surprised into in
temperate toasts and sentiments. ! would
as soon be priyy to intoxicating a Jury,
that sat upon a case OF life and death, as
be partakcr of feast of the latter char
acter.
Believing that the invitation was in
tended to elicit my opinion on the great
topics which are to affect the approach
ing election, have no difficulty, gentle
men, in expressing them in brief and
general manner.
am altogether opposed to the doctrine
of Notification, Ito use a babarous and
novel term, for want of a more direct
mode Of expressing an opinion) and, as
to a Convention, think it most hazard
Gus measure, and altogether nugatory,
unless we mean to secede from the I'm
ion. And while | believe that nine
tenths of those who favor the measure,
are as honest in being disposed to favor
it, as l am IN my opposition to it, yet
must be permitted to say, that | most sin
ccrely. fear, that there are among us,
those who press the calling of Conven-
ton, for the distinct purpose of so embroll-
ing our relations with the General Gov
ernment, as to involve the latter in the
dilemma, of either abandoning the reIns
of the Government altogether; or of
maintaining it by force. In the latter case
they fiatter themselves that the States,
or some of them, will take part with us,
and thus, in either case, a dissolution of
the Union would ensuc. If there are
any such, trust they are very few in
number and must think them only fit to
be consigned to the care Of the Regent
of the Lunatc Hospital.
There cannot be possible case mag
ined, in which we should be even coun-
tenanced by single State, at present.
| am aware, that in the slang of the
day, those who think as | do, are re-
preached with the epithet of Submls-
sion Men, and the imputation of fear; but
it is equally unjust and unreasonable IN
those who claim for themselves the attrl-
butes of Patriotism, integrity, and inde-
pendent minds, to refuse the same to
others. Nor are there wanting men in
our ranks, who have some prctcnsions to
character and talents. Our fear, Is the
fear of God, and of disgrace, and of pub
lie calamity; our submission, submission
to our consciCnccs.
\ | will conclude, gentlemen, by tender
ing the following toast with profound re-
spcct TO the meeting.
"1He generous feelings ol my Country
men. Elevation of character is conspic-
uous in It's most irregular movements
May it never be misdirccted by false rea-
soning, false calculation, false pride, OF
false men,
/ With the highest respect, have the
| pleasure to subscribe myself, gentlemen
Your very humble servant,
/ WILLIAM JOHNSON