Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-24

u,on all. From its commencement, the tendon |
CIV of the administration OF this government has
been less BENEFICIAL to US than to others but ad-
ministered as it has been, our government has al
forded us more happiness, more prosperity than
any other people enjoy, much more than we shall
probably enjoy under any other government which
the ingenuity of man can devise. ms natioh,
Sir, arose under peculiar circumstances, the WIS,
dom and virtue which were elected and matured
by our revolutionary struggles, have never oeen
equalIed in any other age or nation. II IS 10 ,'ls
extraordinary combination OF virtue ana W''uo :.
that our present Constitution owes its being. IL
NAV not be perfect, but let US take care how we
change it-another revolution may produce o'het
men; Washington we have had, Cromwe''
we may have.
This brings me to the precipce, on the DRINK
of which we stand; one step forward ana we ave
lost--lost forever to this Union. And are we pre-
pared for this? Can there be heart IN TINS as
sembIy. which does not swell with anguish. al 'ne
thought of immolating on the altar OF D'scoru,
the recolcctions of the revolution, the glory OF
our forefathers, and the hope OF civilized mann
Are our expressions so great as to induce Us 10
e>patriate ourselves from the country oil hahcoSh
and Washington: To fly off from the oonsteiia-
ton, which has hitherto lighted our steps to pros
Derity. ana dIllUldttu Jul o"oo"S
ness? Is it true Sir, that our situation is SO hes-
perate that we must despo our children OF that
Inheritance. which we received from our foreiath-
ers. coupled with solemn injunction to trans
mt it to posterity? 1t may be 50. but II 1t Is So
Mr.. Chairman. our fathers were the last Ameri-
can patriots.
know, Sir that the high minded and honora
bic men, to whom am opposed, fear no conse-
uuences. apprehend no danger. and even hope To
preserve the union by threatening it. would trust
much to such men, but when the honor and hap
pness of nv country are at stake, must calcu-
late and understand the consequences OF every
measure. by whomsocver recommended oeiore 1
can be induced to move. As lar as am permitted
to see as far as can penetrate tie iature' Coh-
vention must endanger this Union. or wound the
honor of my country. Ii the Convention snail
move forward, If It shall assume an attitude hos
tile to the Governmt mt, and Congress snail re-
cede. what, sir must he the effect on tins Union!
We shall have dishonOred our own government.
:, shall have started the strands OF that cord
nv which the States are bound together; we shall
have fulfilled the prediction of its enemies; we
shall have proved that the Cnonis but little more
than a rome of sand II congress should not re-
cede. if satisfied tlat State has no right to ar
rest their acts, they should proceed to enforce
them. where then will Carolina be? In arms: aye
Sir. in arms, one and all 40 OF hers will stop
to ask the cause, if at her bosom blow be aimed.
And can we look to such catastrophe without
horror? Can we proceed in a course which may
lead to such consequences, without perfect con-
viction that our honor and the happiness OF the
State demand 1T? Recollect, Sir. this will be no
contest between America and Briton; but between
Americans, felow-citizens, children OF the same
family, egatees Of one political father, Washing
| ton the great.
| Terrible to me as is this picture, would, new
ertheIess. raise nv voice. even for such war. u
| demanded by the honor OF the State. But let
| us take care. that we do not fall down and wor-
ship some false god. The honor OF Carolina is
not that of the duclist-t is not offended to
blood. il her skirts are but touched-no sir. her
honor is of more rational, more serious cha.
racter-it demands nothing rash, 1T sets down
naught IN malice. it commands us to do no wrong,
and is satisfied only when do what is approx
ed by reason, Judgment and prudence. Sir,
know, that we who are opposed to what we be-
lieve to be rash, unconstitutional measures, have
been called submission men. l accept The APP
pellation for myself. 1t has been the pride OF
my life. to submit to the laws OF my country
| To her will, even without the obligation OF a law,
| have always submitted, and hope to persevere
in so doing. to the end Of my last days. Sir.
nave Uo o"' '''' S'"'N'
Here | was born, and have lived. and here were
born nv ancestors uut" the third and fourth ge-
nerations. Their biuod has enriched. their ash
rs have sanctifed unto me, this soil. Here live
nv children and their allie, lance. l trust. will
never be changed The recOlectOns ct the past.
entwined with the hopes Of the future. bind me
To Caruiina. How much have loved her, how
much honor her, will not, cannot calculate.
TO her partiality owe all that am; she en-
couraeed me in youth. she con6ded to me in una
turity; and now, when about to seek Ill her DO
som. the everlasting resting place OF my father,
can have no motive no object but her welfare.
When | left the high and honorable position IN
which she had placed me. TO re-enter these walls.
| abandoned all hopes of future preterment. 1t
was only the completeness of the sacrifice which
would satisfy nv devotion. | may be wrong in
the course, which have recommended, but can
not be wrong in the motives b, which have been
influenced. Should Convention be called
shonld Carolina be torn from her sisters, will
abide her fate-she has been all to me, and for
her would sacrifice my ALL