Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-09-04
LETTER FROM LANGDoN CuEyEs, ESQ.

THEM, IN LISTENING TO THE STILL,
OF REASON. city Gas.
LETTER FROM LANGDON CIEVES, ESQ.
PENpLEToN, August II, 1882.
SIRI received by the las, mail, your letter OF the 9th
inst enclosing resolution adopted by large and respecta
bile meeting of the citizens Sumter District on the It'll
Instant, by which am appointed delegate OF the Union
aud States Rights Party for Carenont County to the Con-
vcntion To be assembled at Columbia the first Monday
in September next
understand the object OF that Convention to be- TO dis
cuss the proposition Of Southern Contention. That
measure, mean Southern Convention, has my hear
~ appreciation. have no doubt ii is decidedly the best
measure the Southern States adopt this time, in
reference 10 the oppressive acts of the General Government
III VIII give them the strength oil union, and what i at
least equally valuable, the harmony of union among them
selves Every other remedy is less powerful less certain
probably less peaceful any other remedy which has
any power has ominous iorcbodngs stamped upon it,
believe it To be the only remedy hadescrves the
believe objection would be made to it, it Tor
party propossession in avourof another IT is substantially
the course proposed 10y JEFFERSON in his Kentucky
lulons The objection that ii Is unconstitutional il idle,
and without any foundation Its monstrous doctrine in
the mouths oil the asscrcr OF States Rights The proposed
Convention is one for deliberations The Constitution (id
hitting that applies at all TO the case which ought
be grantcd) inhhits action. 1t would be novelty OF
which history exhibits parallel, were we to behold
Sovereign States without the power of comforting and de-
bcraung with each other. With these views, sorry
cannot personally unite with you the audable efforts
you making TO direct the public mind this
effective power and desirable safety and that ac
ccpt the appointment with which have been honored bv
this respectable meeting Of my fellow citizens.
series of domestic Affections which have suffered
within the last year. have badly prepared my mind for
such occasions, and have made extremely anxious
10 keep aloof from the hustle aad vexatons of life espe
cay Of its public controversies, AID devote my whole
time te the interests of my far2ily, which have fear
IN past attention public affairs, much too long
neglected Under these impressions, have posi-
lively determined to engage personally in the disturb
cd ana agItaung politics OF the present moment however
deep an interest may feel in them, and myself
with exercising that wholesome right which enjoy in
common with every free citizen, the right of expressing
my opinions oil the public measures of the time, thus
commingng mine with those of my fellow citizens con-
tribute my small influence to the formation OF the public
sentiment Ihs believe 10 be well the duty the
right of the citizen and that should deem himself
too humble or two unmportan To make this contribution
ne result oil (Hibhc scnimcnO is engine of incon
ceNable power; whether foF veal Sor woe it nav be
termed the mental consciousness of nation and when il
Is not formed under undue vicious excitement, is al
ways vlr'uous and generally wise This right this duty
OF the citizen You WILL hope, pardon exercising
in some small degree on this occasion.
On returning Unexpectedly, after long absence 10 re-
side again III my native State, found great Indignation
prevailing generally among the people, against the nus-
ucc and oppression which they suffered under the Tariff
System. On this subject felt entirely and zealonsv
win item. was OF opinion that the oppression should
be resisted as speedily The sufferers could be united in
that resistance Parties had then been formed in the
State, when their distinctions began be developed APP
proved OF the zeal and general spirit of the States Right
Party. The dangerous and seductive measure of State
Convention was indeed urged by of thenl but be-
Ieved that the constitutional barrier was and would con-
ine TO be sufficient defence against this danger and
believed that the public mind would in due time turn of
itself almost necessarily, 10 what consider the only safe
or hopeful measure OF rcdrcssA union Of the ap1rey-
ed States and People, in their efforts of resistance
discovered also in the ranks OF this party, body of
Intellect and virtue, and patriotism, which | hoped
woud be an ample guarantee against all measures
OF extreme excitement or ra,hncss. I'm This hone I
am o1lSed to say have been disappointed; think this
party has been hurried away by the of circumstances
INTO bo'li The measures OF excitement which they
have resorted, am obliged think, arc dangerous al
once in their operation and example and Nucation te
great ultimate measure TO which they huryng along,
and 10 which all their acts tend fear will be an awful ex
pertinent wh the power and upon the welfare the good
Ia al lltp f4fn
'nPue 10 Tue party any impure or dislonorabe motives.
On The contrary believe the great mass OF both the par
ucS OF me stale Is governed by The most patriotic feelings.
ne Choh party, II seems TO me, unfortunate in
the excited approximations OF disunOn the consequent
senbiliy on that point which appeared lie their 20
vcrning motive OF action. The union was i'm no dancer
unless 1t should continue lis unjust and oppressive ey9c
tons and valuable az undoubtedly to the peace and
happiness OF the people Of all parts of the United States
when IS justly and wisely executed cannot think yLe
acts The part OF bold and strong oppressor that it ought
TO be the OBJECT OF peculiar The part those whom
1t Expresses think such ought have been deemed
he natural sentiment OF the people. In our case, the Union
was the aggrcssor There Just cause of resistance
Oh the part Of the Southern States This was the feeling
Of The people.
was therefore bad, il not an unnatural occasion for
nose VINO wished the people to 20 with them, on which
oappea to their affections for the Union 1t was striking
SUNG OF discOrd and not OF power The Union Party
they feared the fOrwardness of their brethren of the
States Rights Party should have proposed some active
measure OF redress, and by their moderation and wisdom
nave checKed tie too great zeal Of that party instead of
denouncihg its motives. They should have done what
they are now doing They should have supported mea.
sure OF concerted action among the parties and people ag
gicycd II Ihey had done so. think we should now
have been IN danger of Modification Or separate o
ion Oh the part OF South Caroline. But rejoice that they
arc now, though fear rather too late d1y Offering
to their fellow citizens Of the States Rights Party nea
sure OF Cancellation, union and co-operaon and hope
ihat party will not act unwely as finally 10 reject H.
have said that fear your proposition comes too late
Work TIE good 'dt II might have done an earlier Pc
nod, bot u y not therefore 10 be deemed hopeless The
question - entirely for the people. They may redeem the
une past and make the effective the great and
patriotic end proposed II presents fine subject for tenn,
pcrae aud wcll-seasoned appeals 10 their Judgments Their
esi' have been so drummcd with the loud canors OF cx
element That they may be prepared to seek relief from
meh ~ listening 10 "thc STILL small voice Of reason"
think too that The Convention at Columbia on the first
Monday tn September next, will be too 10 act upon
the subject Tie people have hardly begun think up
on IT, -
Ono portion Of them has been exclusively engaged in
pushing forward the plan Of notification anil the other i'm
he contemplation OF lis dangers. Is but two or three
uohus since this proposition first submitted 10 them
ihey cannot get prepared to send from al parts Of the
state, delegates impressed with their distinct sentiments
ana opinions The sUbect and therefore in very many
ns''nec9n which they may be well disposed to the mea-