The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-10-14

I agree with you entirely that Judge
Lee and myself ought not to have been
invited, and for the reasons you suggest.
You see that | doubted whether it was
not hoax, and after the lapse Of so
much time without an answer from you,
l was nearly confirmed in that doubt. i
treated the invitation, however, respect
fully, yet so as toleave as little as posi-
BILE to be gained by the hoax, if it was
one. There is one thing | must beg you
particularly to notice. / do not mean to
suffer myself to be drawn into the ques-
ton Of Construction or Constitutionality
Of the Tariff Act. ] see that in my first
point / have written Constitution, where
| ought to have said Contention; but the
context will correct the lapsus. l will
treat the subject historically, and no 9TH
erwise, and then i'll find have even ap-
preached the question Of Construction, l
will not sit Judicially upon a cause aris-
ing under it: As to the point which you
press with most earnestness, l mean the
conspiracy, am as ready now to dispose
of it as | probably ever shall be, and
have no objection to do so. Ihare no er-
nlence bm mhat is before The public, AND
probably neper shall hare. 1t requires
the power of an Asmodeus to ransack ca
binets, or rake up the ashes of conhden-
tial correspondence, but if there has not
been enough published to establish the
fact of fixed purpose and Jealous CO.
operation among some of our citizens to
get rid of the Tariff Act, or get rid ofthe
Union, then can only say, differ wide
ly from every one in my references. l
think there is evidence to show that
some 90 farther, and maintain that Sc
paraton from the Union, whether singly
or in confederation with other states, Is
the true policy of South-Carolina: but the
evidence onthis subject, is chiefly before
the public also, and may safely be left to
their consideration without comment. 1t
is of too personal character to admit OF
public discussion, otherwise than in a
Court of Justice, .and there it can never
be discussed that know of: | hope new
er will be, directly or incidentally.
As toahe moral imputation of consPira-
cy, it does not necessarily carry with 1t
rcproach. La Fayette would never
blush TO have it known if the truth be so,
that he headed a conspiracy against
CharlessX. If there are any among us
who maintain that they are absolved from
their allegiance to the United States,
what offence can they take at being char
gcd with conspiring against it. 1t there
are any who charge the Government OF
the United States with oppressive and
ntolerable Tyranny, what reproach is It
to them to be charged with conspiring
Shall there be Caesar and no Brutus,
no Cassi,s, no Casca found among us:
BY such presume it would be coveted
as honorable. The motive only can
characterize the act, and to those only
whose consciences upbraid them with
selfish or dishonorable views can il come
with reproach. | do believe in the ex-
isteace of what call conspiracy; but |
have impugned no mans motives.
have attached no reproachtM epithet to
the term As to those who press the al
tentative upon the people, of either COM
pcling a repeal of the Tariff or positive
resistance, if there are any such who
know or believe that Congress cannot
and will not recede, leave them to settle
with their own consciences how near this
approaches to a distinct effort to dissolve
the Union
And now let me conclude with one
earnest request. If this correspondence
cannot be carried on without interrupting
that cordial feeling which has subsisted
between us from our boyhood, 1 pray
you Let it end here. Do not entertain
the thought that | am stunning the com
bat: you know me too well to believe it.
On the contrary | should unwillingly
forego my feeble efforts to reconvert the
State through the columns of the Teles-
cope .---iY ours, VIM. JOHNSON.