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

for discussion will produce excitement one
degree of excitement will beget another; a
warm and animated southern excitement
will, nay, must, produce corresponding
northern excitement each will grow in
character and in degree, until a grand north.
crn interest may stand opposed to n grand
southern interest. The north, then, bc.
comes arraycd against the south, and the
south against the north. | wilt not allow
myselfto inquire. under q conjuncturc like
this, what will become Of this our beloved
and happy country? Under such circum.
stances, truly will the hearts of patriots
tremble for the ark of our political safety.
The ground assumed in the resolutions is
not only a broad and common one. upon
which all may safely unite, but is one broad
and ample enough to sustain all the rights
and interests of the South.
Under the compromises Of the States
which led to tho formation of this Govern.
ment and TO the adoption Of the constitution
ofthe United States, we believe,however 9TH
er gentlemen may differ from US, that Con.
gress, under them, has no rower whatever
to interfere directly or indirectly with the
slave property of the citizens within the
District ofColumba, no more than it has to
interfere with houses or land or any other
description ofproperty. 1t cannot do this
otherwise than i'll such way, and for such
high and necessary purposes as has been
clearly and definitely expressed in the con-
sttution itself. Property cannot be taken
by the Government from its citizens without
full & adequate compensation; andt then only
for such important purposes, and for such
absolute wants, as the safety Of the coun-
try may require. Under these compromi-
scs, in reference to the property ofthe slave
holding States, the constitution ofthe Uni
ted States was adopted; with these under.
standings, the Government was formed ;
upon these, as their proper basis, rest the
constitution and Government. These, then,
under legitimate deductions of reason, arc
the spirit and life Of the constitution and
Government; and under their broad banner
we the people will protect and defend our
property and lives, should this sad alterna-
two ever be forced upon us. When Viz
ginia and Maryland made cession Of the
ten miles square, within the limits, Of this
District, they never for a moment believed
that the original and inherent right Of those
States would be or could be transferred to
Cong ross, so that it could interfere with the
rights ofpropeny of their citizens, who liv.
cd upon the soil. Neither could Maryland
or Virginia do any such act, or make any
such transfcrence. The constitution of nei.
ther State gave any such power to their res.
pcctivc Legislatures. If no such power
resided in the constitution, then any such
attempt to exercise it on th9part ofthe Leg
islatures would have been gross usurpa-
ton Of power, never yielded by the people.
Nothing but an act ofthe people, in conyen-
ton, could have yielded that power, which
certainly was never granted under those
State constitutions. Then it is as clear as
light, that the Congress ofthe United States
never can interfere, so as to emanclpate
the slaves in the District of Columbia, until
the people ofVirginia and Maryland, in con.
ventions ofthc people Of those States, shall
sec proper to confer the power. L believe
that an unfortunate issue was made up,
when fundamental principle Of our gov
crnment was connected with the question
of slavery. What would, if this course
should be pursued, be the result? BY a
forced and unnatural action Of this House,
you would drive-not the abolitionists, for
they under any circumstances are and vii
be against us-but you drive on a most i'll.
portant vote, those who differ with us on a
mere abstract legal opinion, but who are
among our very best friends; the abiding
friends Of southern rights, and who are firm
and unwavering supporters Of those com.
promises, under which the States united, to
form the Governments of the United States.
This denial ofthc right TO petition gentle
men never could have yielded. They
would have been rebuked by public senti-
mcnt for yielding ono of those great pE'nci-
pies upon which rests fundamentally not
only our Government, but without which
no free government can exist. Besides,
sir, where was the necessity Of taking this
ground 1t is one which is impracticable;
one which cannot be maintained by repub-
licans. 1t would, ifpersevered in, drive from
US those very friends who, to protect and
defend the existing order Of things. to pre-:
serve the Government, protect and defend
the Union Of these States, and the rights and
interests Of the southern, or of any other
portion of this contedefacy, would, in the
manly and patriotic languageof the present
Governor Of Massachusetts,, used some
wears ago, "buckle on their knapsacks,
and, with arms in hand, rally to Che support
of the laws and constitution Of this coun.
try" Yes, sir, to the defence of,hose very
compromises. under which our fathers, with