Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-26
TDe Constitutional gUbtg.
Friday Erenilsg, Dec. 23.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

ident Jackson's letter to Euudry citizens Of that
State menacng tho State with the Federal Powor
We arc no Nufyors--far from it-but our blood
did not the less warm when we read that insolent
letter, dictated by the vile mehials of the Palace
no doubt, and threatening free people with mill
larry chasisement, before elaboration had reached
any overt act whom no law had been violated, and
when the People of South Corolina had dono no
more than express opinions. We are yet to learn.
that tho people OF this country have not tho con-
stitutisnal, the indsfeasible right, peacoaby to
ssmble and declare any opinions Government,
Religion. or any thing beneath the Sun, or above
az When this right is challeng ed-whon it's sxsr-
Else is ntimida,od BY pewor-when Ineligible
threats arc thrown out OF Executive interference,
repression, and chastisemont-evsry man ought to
forget his enmity to Notification, and Join to de-
nounoe course insulting TO all, and to ropcl dan
gor' common to the liberties OF ALL In Nulliica-
lion we perceive danger indeed, but danger to the
forms OF the Constitution, not to tho liberties Of
tho People; while attempt of power to restrain
by menaees, public discussion of any SORT or an
anticipated course of Legislative action, strike. at
Liberty itself.
If the spirit of Virginia has not departed-if it
has not dwiadled and degenoratsd into a base poll
tical calculation, called into action only for tho mis-
throning ono man Or enthroning another-the Re-
port of South Carolina so worthy of tho hast DAVIS
of American Liberty, will be responded to in
voice that will shake the Palace over the head of
the Tyrant Lot tho friends of Jackson remember
let them ask themselycs-what they would have
said if Adams had written that letter TO South Car
inal Will they with trucking subservioncy
overlook and pardon that in Jackson, which they
would have invoked all their eIoquence to de-
nounce had Adams done lit Have Presidential
contests so debased the Ancient Spirit of Virginia
that 1T has become impossible to separate the glory
of the Commonwealth from tho interests of An,
drow Jackson, or to sustain any great principles
which conflict with his inclination or his ady.n-
tage2
After the Report, tho reader will come across
the wretohed substitute of the Iainority-which
seeks to meet the manly reasoning of the majority
by appealing TO the personal affection ei the Poo
pie for jackson. We have not yet understood hat
has been dono in tho Legislature of South Carroll
ma but the Report will undoubtedly DO adopted.
South Carolina Report on the PrcSidrnt's
letter
The Committee Federal Relations to whom
referred that portion of the Governors Mes
sage relating to a letter from the President of
tho Unitod States, of tho date ofJune 18th, 1891,
to sundry citizens of this State, beg leave to
REPORT:
That in the examination of the matter referred
to them they havo cndcavourcd far possible
to subdue all feelings which might disturb their in
vestigation, or throw suspicion upon their cOnclu-
sions. SURPRISING all emotions of State pride,
and tho natural indignation which menance of
violence and punishment excitcs, they have been
disposed to regard the Presidents letter invoIy-
ing important questions of constitutional law, and
the bearing which such principles and svch an
avowal of them has upon the permanenco and free
dom of this confederacy.
A preliminary question without the decision of
which it would be inconsistent with tho dignity
and self respect oftho Legislature to proceed, is
IN what capacity or character has Genl. Jackson
denounced tho oxiseenco of 4 plan of disorgaHza-
ton in South Carolina. With his private opinions
and sympathes the Legislature would, not con-
Germ itself Whatever exclusively aPpertains to
the individual must be left to individual consure
approbation-but whatever the officer determines
on, and sends forth to tho world, his dotermi-
nation becomes at once matter Of consequence
and justlfes as in the present instance demands
the animaderson of the State.-That Gen. Jack
son spoke and intended to BIO understood speak
ing in this official character President of the
United States, is apparent from his languago-His
>"high and sacred duties" be mono other but
official duties-to the official performance of which
he emphatically pledges himsef.-It doubt-
loss understood and intended that this solemn de-
claration should be laid before the public, and bo
received a warning of the course the President
has marked out for Observation-Disclosures tho occasion
1T one for donuncation of his fellow citizens,
or the oftlcIGl avoWal OF his course OF action,
upon what all must admit to be the
highest and most responsible Of his fGRc-
'tons, of course 4 matter for his consider
ation-and can afford no light in determining the
character of the act. The Committee, therefore,
cannot but regard it the annunciaton to tho
world by the President of the u States that thero
.is plan of disorganizaton existing in South Car
elina, against which chief Executive of the
United States, he has resolved to present in
spTmountable barrier.
If there be plan Of disorganization, within the
State of South Carolina, known to the President
of the United States, it would scom to be within
tho scope of his high and sacred duties to inform
the constituted authoriles of this State, Of it's
ture and extent, and lay before them the testimony
to convict tho dsorganIcrs II is not less the high
and sacred duty of the constituted authorities of
this State, than the President of the United States,
to interposs an ''insurmouEtabie carrier" against
whatever endangers the existence of the Govern
Taent. Nor is il to DO presumed that any depart
nent of this Government, either legislative, judi
Cial, executive would he less sensible to the In
uenco Of those duties, than the corresponding de-
partment Of the General Government. But if the
President alludes, as the Committee do not doubt,
nc docs, either to the public avowal and discussion
of certain constitutional ptjncples-or to tho pro-
posed action of this Government upon them, it be.
serious question whether this interference
of tho President does not lead directly TO the
disorganzaton than the plan which he denounces
The Constitution Of tho United States guarantees
to the citizen freedom Of speech and Of the press
Whatever opinions nc may choose to entertain me
may dare to express. Error Of opinion, said Mr.
Jefferson may be tolerated, when is left free
to combat it.
When ono Of the earlier Presidents supposed that
Inc had detected plan Of disoTCanization in the