Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-07
THOMAS S, GRIMKE. OF S. c.

The following letter from the Hon. Thomas s.
Grimke, conserving to furnish copy OF his Ora
ton before the Washington Society. Tor publica'
ton, she VS. that he has ever been the consistent
advocate of American Union and American Ll6er'
ty-that although one Of the old federal party,
in the day when opposition to the republican ad'
MnistratiOn of Thos. Jefferson was at Its height,
and New England, suffering and impatient un-
der eie restrictrye system OF that era. was ready
to sever her connection with our political family,
he rebuked the federal spirit Of disunion, with
the same patriotic feeling and boldness that have
recently arrayed him against the dogmas and de-
signs Of notification.
Genttemen-Y letter of this date, reuues.
ting copy Of my Grafton, delivered before the
Washington Society on the 4th, for publication,
has been received. Iacquiesce in your wishes,
under the belief, that whatever is devoted to the
cause OF our whole Country, to the character
OF Washington, and the spirit Of American In.
sututinns cannot be valueless; and may il execu.
ted with-iudgment and taste, be eminently useful.
1t has been my singular fortune, at the dis
lance OF twenty four years, to stand again be.
fore my Country on the Anniversary Of Ameri.
can Independence, to yndlcate the integrity Of
the Union and the sanctity Of the Constitution
In 1909, was called to demonstrate, on behalf
of my whole County, against the discontents
and disaffection. which had been engenderd in
the Eastern States. In 1885, | have been sum.
moned to the painful and Notifying duty Of ex.
postuIating, on behalf Of that whole country,
With my native State, for sentiments and deeds,
far exceeding all that has ever yet been done. in
this country, against the Constitution and the
Union Nav the Carolina Of future years, with
redoubed fidelity and love, vindicate the spot.
less character and elevated standing, once her
proud distinctions; but now SO changed, under
the baleful influence of men, who could have
made her the brightest star Of the Union. The
grief of our Sister States for the sake OF Carroll.
ma, exceeds their Indignation at the principles,
that have been avowed, and the acts, which have
been threatened, by her leaders. Let US re.
juice, at the result of recent events, not as the
victory of party, but as the triumph Of our coun-
try. Respectfully,
THOMAS S. GRIMKE.
Messrs. James II. Smith and others,
Committee of Arrangements OF the Washing
Society"
In 1909, Mr. Grimke thus eloqueuty pictured
:" the folly and madness Of disunion."
"The American. who can look forward with
calmness to the day OF separation, must be either
more or less than man. He must be the victim
of ambition or corruption; deluded enthusiast.
or prophet of good, which the most sangrlne
dare not hope. and the keen-eyed statesman cannot
ioresee. Thenceforward the American Eagle
shall drop the olive branch Of peace. and grasp
only the arrows Of war. The hand. which
writes the declaration of disunion, shall feel the
blood curde in its veins; and the tongue which
reads il to The world shall stiffen in the act
The mountains that divide US, shall be a" the dark
mountains of death" and the streams that flow
between like the waters of Egypt, shall be turn.
ed into blood"
"But terrific as s the picture, which anticl.
patton PRESENTS let us gaze upon it, resoutely
and calmly. Conceive the eventful crisis arriv.
ed when the delegates Of America meet to sever
our confederacy Unlike the glorious Congress
which declared US independent, unlike the equal.
" glorious Convention, which framed our Con-
stitu,ion, they would join to destroy the falrest
edifice that human hands have ever raised -
Already is their object attained; with one voice
they pronounce US free and independent OF each
other. They dash IN the earth the tables OF our
common alliance; they march in triumph to kin
die the flame, that is to consume the temple OF
the union, and hear with a smile, the loud crash,
as it SINKS in ruins. In vain, when the youth
full genius OF America is laid on the altar OF
separation, may voice from Heaven exclalm,
hold! hoid!!" In vain, may the bleeding
image Of their country arise and point to her
wounds; each will exclaim, in the language OF
the murderer Macbeth, "thOu canst not say, |
did it," In vain, may they call up the spirit OF
Washington to hallow their rites like the prophet
at Endor, he shall look but to blast, and speak
but to curse"
Guapovder Ploi-An accident of fatal as