Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-03-14

fathers OF ne rtt)UDlIC, ara lliil S"''' e"-
inc experience has proved them to be t'l-
name, patriotic, cxpcdicnt, honorable, and
lust. If the agitation of this subject was
intended to reach the stability Of our III
s,i,ulions, enough has occurred to show
that ii has signaIIy failed: and that in tins,
IS in every other instance, the apprchcn-
sions of the timid and the hopes OF the
the wicked for the destruction Of orr CO.
ycrnn!c.t. arc again destined to be disap-
pointcd. Here and there, indeed, scenes OF
danncrous excitement have occurred; ter
ricying instances of local violence have
bccr Witnessed; and a reckless disregard
OF the consequences Of t!;cir con"uct has
cynoscd individuals to a popular Indig-
nation: but neither masses OF the people,
nor sections Of the country, have been
swcrvcd from their devotion to the bond
of union. and the principles il has made
sacred. 1t will be ever thus. Such at
tcmpis a, dangerous agitation may peri
odicalIv return, bat with each the object
will be better understood. That prcdomi-
mating affection for our political system
which prevails throughout our territorial
limits; that calm and enlightened judy
mcnt which ultimately governs our pco-
pic us onc vast body; will always be a,
hand to resist and control every effort,
foreign or domestic, which aims, or wo9!d
lead, t. overthrow Our institutions.
Wha, can be moro gratifying than such
4 r:'ro<p"ct rs this! We look back Oh
Obstacles avoided, and dangers overcome.
Oh expectations more than realized, and
prosperity perfectly secured. 10th" hopes
Of the hostile, the fears OF the tmid, and the
doub,s Of the anxious. actual experience
has given the conclusive reply. We have
seen time gradually dispcl every untavor-
able !iorcboding, and our cons tuition sur
mount every adverse circumstance, dread
cd at the outset as beyond control. Pre-.
sent excitement will, at all times, magnify
present dangers: but true philosophy must
teach US that none more threatening than
the past can remain to be overcome: and we
ought, iorwc have Just reason, to entertain
an abidln. confidence IN the Stability OF
our institutions, and an intirc conviction
that. if administered in the true form, char
actcr, and spirit in which they were cs;a5-
lishcd, they arc abundanly adequate 10 pre-
serve 10 us and onr children the rich bless
ngs already derived from them; 10 make
our beloved land ,ior uthous;nl generations,
tIa. chosen spot where happiness springs
from Il perfect equally OF political rights.
For myself. therefore, desire to declare
tlia, the priuc;pIe that will govern Inc in the
high duty 10 which my country calls me, is,
a strict adhcrancc % thc lcrcr and spirit OF
the constitution, rs il was dcsi igned by those
who framed it. Looking back 10 it as a
sacred instrument carefully and not easily
framed: remembering that ii was through
OH, Il work Of concession and compromise;
vicwingit as limited 10 national objects; re.
carding it as leaving to the people and the
S;a:cs all The power not explicitly parted
with; | shall cndcavor 10 preserve, protect,
and defend it, by anxiousI y referring TO lis
proviss :.on for direction III every action. 10
matters Of domestic conccrnmcnt which it
has instructed 10 the Federal Government,
and 10 such us relate to TO our intercourse
with foreign nations, | Shall zcaloi'sIy y de-
vote myself: beyond those Limits shall ncv-
or pass.
To enter, on this occasion, into further
or more minute exposition Of my views on
the various questions Of domestic policy,
would be us obstrusiyc rs Ii is probably un-
expected. Before the saf'ragcs Of my
coun.rymcn were conferred upon nc,
submitted 10 them, with great precision,
nv opinions on all The most prominent Of
these subjects. Those opinions / shall
cndcavor to carry out with my utmost abil-
itv.
Our course of foreign policy has been
so uniform and ineligible, as TO constitute
Il rule Of executive conduct which leaves
little to my discretion, unless, indeed. ]
were willing 10 run counter 10 the lights
Of experience, and the known opinion Of
my constituents. We scdulousIv v cultivate
the friendship of all nations, as the condition
most compatible with our welfare, and the
principles Of our Government. We &C.
cline alliances, as adverse 10 our peace.
We desire commercial relations on equal
terms, being ever willing to give a fair
equivalent for advantages received. We
cndcayor to conduct our intercourse with
opcnncss and sincerity; promptly avowlnS
our objects, and seeking 10 establish that
mutual lrankness which is as bcnticlal IN
the dealings of nations us Of men. We
have 10 disposition, and VIC di~claim all
right, 10 NEEDLE in disputes, whether n:crn-
al Or foreign, that may modest other coun-
tries: regarding them. in their actual state,
IS social communities, and preserving a
s'rict neutrality in all their controversies.
w III l.,ou,irr tho ,rioI y,1or of our neODlp