The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-30
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF
SOUTH CAROLINA.

This document was delivered TO the Legisla-
ture convened at Columbia on the 23d instant.
The Governor congratuaes the people Of his
State on their .reviving prosperity from the
unexampled depression and embarrassment OF
thetimes." This he justly ascribes to "wise
and vigant economy in the people," and adds
that they shave cause 10 exult in the hope. that
our Government may noio be regarded as hay
ing passed ia security through the most trying
and difficult exigencies that ever tried its vir-
tue or tested its stability"
In reference 10 the anticipated and dreaded
measures Of the ultra Wings, previous TO their
separation from the national Executive, the
message proceeds to say:
"Amonp these abortive expedients, none
garded with more intense and absorbing solicltude,
than the proposition establish National Bank
On no occasion has the exercise Of the Conservative
power vested the Federal Executive been received
with warmer appreciation by the people OF this State,
been wisely and fortunately lnterposed TO ar
rest the most dangerous and obnoxious OF all the pre-
medtated violations of the Constitution. OF all the
great Of national policy, productive OF the
btterest contention among the great parties OF this
Union, and which has always and justly been regard
ed fraught with the most powerful influences for
good or for evi) on political institutions the estab
lshment of National Bank is certainly the most oh
vous and important If such has been the expert
Of the country in the primitive and purer ages OF
the Republic, under the regulations OF Bank arIs
ing out of the embarrassments of the first war, and
the exigences Of the lasl-of comparatively limited
capital and directed by the wsest and abest officers
what were we anticipate from an institution organ
lied as the instrument Of panty then in power--ope
rating amidst the ruins of dsordered currency, and
the wreck weakness, and dismay, Of State and local
institutions The expiring struggles OF the late Unit
ted States Bank, to perpeuate Its existence against
shaG g. of tho
Of the country recent in the recollection OF all OF
u.s. and form important epoch in the history Of our
Government
Abiding TO the pernicious powers Of Ma
tional Bank, and the limitations OF the friends
of such an institution, to rend the Constitution
in such manner as to force the country to sub
nit to their unholy desires, he thus continues:
II was an honest confession, of of the ablest
presiding officers Of the late nted States Bank, be-
fore committee appointed by Congress to investigate
its affairs that it any time within its power TO
crush State and local institutions What an aPPall-
ing fact for the contemplation of the Sovereign States
Of the Union What prophetic warning TO the IN
situations chartered by their authority The Institu-
tons of the country be uprooted and erased at the
bidding of heartless soul less cent per cent calcu
laling corporation The rights of the States, and the
liberties OF the people, be subjected to the dominion
of a sordd moneyed AutocIacy And yet, such Is
the supremacy law, liberty, and the constitution
TO which such institution would inevitably have at
tanned. Encroachments upon the liberties OF the Peo
plc in other times and nations, were to be aPprehend
ed from the swords of conquerors and the usurpaons
Of ambitious rulers but experience has shown that
in age and country, the strongest contests to
maintain constitutional, and even sovereign rights
have been waged against an ambitious money poDer
in all its various forms Of Bank monopoes, and pro-
tective tariffs Well, therefore, may we congratulate
the country having escaped the ambitious pieten-
sons of institution which, after imperiousy dlc-
tain hal m
of violating his constitutional obligations, now threat
ems, through the vengeance Of disappointed party
the rash and iniquitous retrtution OF aboshng the
useful and conservative, OF all the prerogauves
of his department"
The Governor deprecates the Protective Poll
CIV resorted to in the revision OF the duties on
imports. He alludes to the former opposition OF
his State to tariff for protection, and intmaes
in unequivocal terms that its preparations for
defence are still in readiness and requisition."
He is clearly of opinion that the spirit Of com
promise of 1888, should still be adhered to. In
connexion with this subject he expresses his
views freely in opposition to the Distribution
law, and the recent manifestations Of the will Of
the people:
at was enough to have borne all this with patriotic
devotion the interests Of our common county, but
II
cred purposes for which it coded to afford pre-
text for additional burdens and taxation class
of industry give protection and bounty to another
it assumes character Of the highest injustice well
as the most palpable infracton of constitutional prin-
ciples
"But the most dangerous, well the most hum
ating effect of this measure, is the condition of de-
tendency to which ii reduces the States, upon the
bounty and benefacton Of the goveInment-exisling
as they would in the relation Of subsidiaries upon the
profits OF their own estate-receivng its charity,
doled out from their wealth, and subdued to a
state of homage, servty, and compliance, by brides,
stolen and lavished from their own Treasury. Is it
not to be regarded the first step to the assumption
of State debs-desgned to consummate consoda-
ton ofinterests oberating all distinctions Of
reignty, PRIDE Of independence, and tending to con-
centrate Empire and Dominion the rights of the
States, and the liberties of the people
~ trust, however that the spirit of reform, which
has been powerfully evoked by the of the
late session of Congress- and so decidedly manifested
in the results of the late popular elections throughout
the Union will prevent the spoils and plumber Of this
system, from soing the Treasury, contamina-
ting the Golfers of single State in the Union Let
pause, al least for moment In the hope that the
correct principles and high motives Of unbought,
unterrited, and incompatible Democracy operat-
ing their and salutary influences the counses
and measures Of Government"
The Governor is not in favor Of the PROPOSE
ton to alter the Constitution, so as to limit the
eligibility Of the Federal Executive to one term
of office. He is also opposed to a restriction Of
the Veto power. He says:
In all the history of our government, the influence
of the Executive power 10 modify its action TIE
reserved rights Of the States has been of conserva-
tive, rather than of an aggressive character More
than twice has il been incrposed to the people
from the domination and abuses of National Bank.
II in defence Of our rights and institutions,
that the Determination of late Executive 10 refuse
his constitutional sanction The abolition Of slavery