Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-04-05

power, generally, 10 SuS.t1ii "'N oPS"neA ,
but, in this instance, feel q paramount duty
10 myself and to my country, to urge upon
Ithis House a reversal of his decision. /
| wish that this course had been pursued at
the VERY first moment, when indications
were given that the usual mode ofdisposing
of these memorials and petitions was to be
abandoned. The usual practice Of both
branches Of Congress has been to lay them
on the table, Or to refer them to Il commit.
tee. This hus been the. practice not only
ofthis House, but of the Senate also. There
they were laid, there they have remained,
to sleep that sleep ofobivion which they so
justly merit. On some occasions, such
petitions were referred to the Committee on
the District Of Columbia, from whose safe
keeping they never escaped to sec the light
of day, or to accomplish that magnitude
! of evil which they were calculated to pro.
duce, through the agency Of wicked or
thoughtless citizens, who originated them
or sent them here. 1t has been painful to
many, and indeed to most of this House,
that We have been carried away from that
practice Of both Houses Of Congress, in the
disposition of anti.slavery memorials and
petitions, which, heretofore, has been found
so safe and polite. We were driven re-
luctantly topursuc some mode by which we
hoped to arrest that tendency of things
here, which VIC deeply feared might lead to
incalculable evils, and to dangerous results.
We hoped, by these resolutions, to stay
debate, to prevent discussion, to keep down
irritating, heartburning invectives, and to
unite Congress by strong expression OF
its feelings and opinions, both as regards
the States, and the District of Columbia;
so as to remove doubts, give renewed secu-
ritv, and unite Us once more in the bonds OF
common interest, and of united affections;
and that We might meet and unite upon
broad and common ground, from which
distracting and agtating questions might
he avoided, and where varying and practi-
cally unimportanta abstract notions and opln-
ions might have no influence in preventing
useful and practical results. Our aim has
been to reach practical objects, TO prevent
discussion, to keep down the excitement OF
cne portion of the Union against the other,
torcstore harmony, confidence, and that feel
ing of security TO life, liberty, and property
without which governments cannot long ex.
ist in this age Of the world, and without
wh;c. they would, if they could exist, be al
curse.
Sir, | have been filled with anxiety and
care at the course which things are taking
in this country. My bed is not refreshing
to me as it used to be. Unhappy visions
fit across my mind thorns are planted un-
der my pillow ; the air does not refresh me
as in other days the sunbeams do not bring
those .gladdcning and animating sensations
to my frame, Us was the case when Our
southern country washappicr and mo:e unl-
ted when the South, the land Of generous
feeling and of noble sentiment, the land OF
hospitality and of elegant and polished lite,
Of warm, inpassioncd, and sweeping clio.
ouence, and Of moral and intellectual pow.
e., was one anlrni.cd. These are the bright
features by which our southern States have
ever been characterized these are the fine
traits which adorn the lovely character OF
the South. This interesting country, in
earlier and happier days, was full Of hope,
and rio,ed in the grand prospective of the
distant future !; and as the series Of events
unfolded the rising prosperity Of our State
and common country, all was JOY, hope, and
gladncss. The times are changing; slow.
" operating causes are producing discon-
tent; underlined apprehensicns are succeed.
ing to full and unlimited confidence a thrill.
ling sens;bility has been awakened, under
cloudcd apprehensions, that attempts may
be made TO unsettle the existing order
of things by an interference directly in the
District Of fColumbia, ut no distant day, with
the rights ofthc slave owners;and by making
this a mere first move into more extended
and gcneralsystcm cooperation in the slave.
holding States at some still more distant
day. The object Of the friends of these re.
solutions is to disabuse the public; to sub.
stitutc for improper, correct statements; to
present just views Of northern sentiment
and feeling in relation to our institutions !;
and to give the other portions Of our com.
mon country an opportunity ofputtng down
those wild and cratic movements at the
north, by which those who aim at pressing
their memorials and petitions upon Congress
that they may produce discussion, excite
feelings, and thus to force themselves and
their objects into the notice and under con-
sidera,ion of a thinking, speaking, and wrI.
ting age, may fall short oftheir aim. Their
success will best be secured, and their ends
best answered, ifthey can but so far press
themselves and their objects upon the no.
tice ofthe country as to produce excite.
ment, awaken resentment, or elicit abuse.
Undc. the silence Of contempt, or under the