Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-04-12

close my motive for going Overt, 7, who
have changed no opinion. abandoned no
principle. and deserted no .cnrty; ], who
have stood still, mad n,aiBtnilied my ground
against every difficulty, to be told that it is
left,to time to disclose my motive. The
mputation sinks to the earth with The
grohndless charge OIL which II rests. stamp
il with scorn in the dust. ] pick up the dart
which fell harmless ut my feet. l Lurl it
back. What tho Senator charges on me
unjusily, he has actually done. He went
over on memorable occasion, and did NOT
leave it to time 10 disclose his motive.
The Senator next tells us that bore
character for stern fidelity. which he ac-
compnnied with romarks implying that
had forfeited it hy my course on the present
occasion. Ii hc means by stern fidelity n
devoted attachment to duty and principle,
winch nothing can overcome, the character
is indeed high one, and, trust, not en-.
tircly unmcrited. l have, at least, the au
thority of the Senator himself for saving
that it belonged TO me before the prescn,
occasion, and il is, Of course, incumbent on
him 10 show that have since forfeited it.
lie will find the task Il Herculcan one. 1t
would be by far moro easy 10 show the op-
posite, that, instead of forfeitiug have
strengthened my title to the character; in
stead OF abandoning any principles, have
firmly adhered 10 them, and that, too, un-
der the most appalling difficulties. If |
were to select an instance in the whole
course of my life OH which, above all oth-
ers, to rest my claim TO the character which
The Senator attributed to me, it would be
this very one, which lie has selected to prove
that have forfeited it. | acted with the
full knowledge ofIhc difficulties had TO en-
counter, and the responsibility must incur.
! saw great and powerful party, probably
the most powerful in the country, eagerly
scizinS upon the catastrophe which had be-
fallen the currency, and the consequent en-
barrassments that followed, to dispiace those
in power, against whom they had been long
contending. | saw that, to stand between
them and their objects, mus, necessarily
incur their deep and lasting displeasurc I
also saw that, 10 maintain the Administra-
tion in the position they had taken, to scpc-
rate the Government from the hanks, 7
would draw down on me. with the cxcep-
tion of some Of the Southern banks, the
whole weigh, Of that extensive, conccn,ra-
ted and powerful interest-the most powcr-
full by far Of any in the whole community
and thus J. would unite against me a COM
bInation OF political aud monied influence
almost irresistible. Nor was this all. /
|
Interested my motives. and however consis-
tent my course with all had ever said or
done, would be exposed TO the very char
ges and aspersions which ] am now rerel-
ling. The ease with which they could be
made, and the temptation to make hem, !
saw were too great 10 he resisted by the
party morality Of the day, as groundless as
have demonstrated them 10 be. But there
was another consequence that could not
but forcsee, far more painful to me than all
others. but too clearly saw, in so sudden
and complex juncture, called on as was
to decide on my course Instantly, as it were,
| on the field of battle, without consultation,
or explaining my reasons, / would estrange
for a time many Of my political friends, who
had passed through with me so many tIials
aud difficulties, aud for whom l feel a
,brolhcr's love. But [ saw before me the
path of duty, and, though rugged and hctlg-
ed on all sides with these and MANY other
difficulties, l did not hesitate moment TO
take it.
After I had made up my mind as 10 my
course, III a conversation with a friend a.
remarked that my own State might desert
me. replied that it was not impossible
but the result has proved that under esti-
mated the intelligence and patriotism of nv
viruous and noble State. I ask her pardon
for the disrust implied in my answer, bu,
ask with assurance that it will be granted
OH the grounds shall put it-tlat in being
prepared to sacrifice her confidence, MS dear
10 inc rs light and life, rather than disobev.
on this grcal question, the dictates of NV
judgment and conscience, proved myself
worthy of being her representative.
But, if the Senator, in attribu,ins to me
stern fidelity meant, not devotion to prin-
ciple. but TO party. and especially the party
of which he is so prominent n member, NV
answer is, that never belonged to his par.
ty, or owed it any fidelity; and of course
could forfeit, in rcfercnco 10 it, no character
for fidelity. 1t is true, We acted in concert
against what we believed to be the usurpa-
tons of the Executive; and it is true, that
during the time, saw much to esteem in
those with whom acted, and contra acted
friendly relations with many which shall
not, be the first to forget. Itis also true that
common party designation was applied to
the Opposition in the aggregate. not, how
| ever, with my appreciation; but it is no less
true than 1t was universally y known thar it
consisted Of two distinct parties, dissimilar
in principle and policy, except in relation
to the object for which they had uni,ed; the
National Republican party, and the portion
of tho State Rights party which had sepa-
rated from the Administration, ,on the ground
that it had departed from the true princi.
plies Of the original parry. That belong
cd exclusively 10 that detached portion, and
to neither the Opposition nor Administration
party, prove by my explicit declaration,
contained III one Of the extracts read from
my speech OH the currency in 1884. That
tho party generally, and the State which