The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-22
From the Southern Chronicle.
LETTER FROM SENATOR PRESTON,
CoLuMBA, May IL, lS4l.

CoLuMBIA May ii, lS4l.
To BENZ. " Martin, Esq.
SIR-I have had the honor to receive your note en-
closing 10 me certain resolutions passed IN meeting
of portion of the citizens of Abbeylle
The temper and language Of those concerning my
self sayour so much ofpersonal bitterness than OF
political discussion that should hold myself discharged
from any obligation to notice them but that feel Il
due TO the public not TO permit assertions con-
tanned in them to pass without contradiction.
In the fifth resolution, being the first in which my
name is mentioned am denounced for acting with
party whose principal objects known to me, though
not publicly avowed were National Bank, Protec-
tive Tariff and the distribution of the proceeds of the
public lands
II is not the fact that the Wing party had any OBJ
ject known to me and not publicly avowed. IL could
not be the fact, for the Wing party consisting Of
vast majority of the United States must of necessity,
act upon publicly avowed principles and consisting too
of great majority Of the Southern States, could not
be implicated in conspiracy against Southern lnte-
rests.
II is not the fact that the distribution of the proceeds
of the public lands, has been considered Wing
party measure.
il is not the fact that in any just meaning Of the
phrase it comes in the high Tariff parly-either Sc
crctly understood or publicly ayowedfor il is noto
rous 10 the whole country that far pledges could
be made by political party-the Wings were pledged
to the Compromise Act Of 1888. Their candidates
for President and Vice President deeply repeat
edIy and publicly pledged to it, and the leading
men Of all the party bound to its maintenance by
every possible charlottesville on the other hand,
The candidates of the other party for President and
Vice President, and their most leading and able par
tizan Mr.. Wright, of New York; were at all times
the advocates and supporters of the most exravagant
system of Protection The vote Of the anti Tariff
States Of Georgia and North Carolina the pre-
sent attitude of Virginia. vindcate the Wing party
against this charge.
Ii is not the fact that was elected Senator as an
opponent on constitutional grounds Of Narf0hal
Bank or distribution of the proceeds Of the public
lands-neither Of those questions were agitated or
thought of in the State at the period Of my election
If my sentiments in regard TO Bank Of the u. S.
were element in that election-it was known that
was Of the Republican State Rights School of MAp
SON and CRAwPoRD--and had never denounced them
or the whole body Of the Republican party who fol
lowed their lead in the financial emergencies of 1916
My strong aversion to Bank of the United States,
existed then and exists neither decreased d.
minished by the recent failure Of State Corporation
OF Pennsylvania, aversion which could yield only
to paramount necessity, such overruled the OBJ
jecons of wise and patriotic men in l6l6whoee cha
racter and fame must be aspersed before denuncia
ton can reach me for following their example.
So far from this question entering into the conside
notorious circumstances then existing prove it to have
been impossible. F~
was elected shortly after Mr.. Calhoun, who had
been the principal agent in establishing the Bank of
the United States and who in the session subsequent
to my election, declared this fact in the Senate of the
United States, accompanied by strong panegyric up
on the Bank. He did not forfeit the confidence Of
the State thereby.
Mr.. M'Dufie, always the jealous parzan Of the Bank
had at the moment of my election signazed his adj
vocacy of il upon every ground Of consttuiionality
and exPediency-had eulogized its conduct and its
conduct0rs-and proposed its recharter elaborate
and powerful document He neither forfeited the
confidence Of AbbeyIle District or of the State 10 the
highest Office in which he was subsequently elevated
Although did not and do not concur in all the views
AnA~ nsrasr uNff koN~a o1- Il.
ieve that was elected the Senate on account of my
dissent from them Hs
And cannot refrain from renlarking that in the
proceedings Of the meeting at Abbevie, there is
the Constitutionality Of United States Bank--the
objections TO being selected from the frightul exhi
billions made in the Pennsylvania Bank, and other
topics Of policy, entitled unquestionably the very
highest consideration. The meeting seems to bind me
hile il cautiously keeps itself unfeered and holds
me TO an opinion which itself does not entertain
During the period that had the honor to serve the
State in her Legislature do not remember that the
Bank question was Agtated. Engaged as we were in
the prosecution ola great enterprise in which energy
and concert were necessary to success-when Il was
known that many conspicuous men deeply devoted to
the maintenance Of the principles upon whchthe State
was acting, entertained various sentiments upon this
subject it would not have been prudent to have agta-
ted and this s, perhaps why it not
agitated at that time My course upon the high ques-
tons then settled, undoubtedly procured the honor
scarcely second my opposition TO the men and mea-
surcs Of the Jackson Van Buren, administration To
prosecute this opposition, mainly sent and if at
any time have enjoyed the appreciation of my con-
stituents it when have been fearessly and We
misunderstanding in beating down that dyna ty
The only doubt that was thrown upon my reelection
that might relax in these efforts to PROSTATE the
Procamation, the Force Bill, and the Tariff party al
though that party then distinguished by hardy /
opposition 70 Bank. If had faIiered in my oppos
ton to that party never could have been elected or
reelected. If had faultered in that opposition
should have been false to my country and my con-
science; and having prosecuted to glorious success
find no matter for regret but that in the moment Of
that victory, am separated from portion of my con-
sttuents, whose co1ntenance and encouragement had
sustained and rewarded through SO many vississi-
tudes of the eventful struggle.
That tho meeting at Abbevlle has thought proper to
censure me for thus persising To the contamination
of what set out to effect is matter Of regret 10 me-
that it has impugned my motives by the nsnuaton in
the 9TH resolution, excite at the utmost but
momentary irritation The Of my life has put
me beyond the reach Of such shafts Ii had been |
ambitious, the party in power, at the of its as
tendency, was accessible when might have chosen |
it rather than the doubtful and almost desparing cause
of the country. If the allurements Of popularity OF
that dearest popularity which is found at home could
have seduced me from the rough and thorny way OF
duty, the primrose path straight before me- II |
serviie, might have surrendered my conscience
10 the keeping of others and been snfe Ii had been
yenal, might have joined the spoiis party. have
preferred 10 discharge according the dictates Of my
conscience the high and responsible obligations Of
patriot SENATOR for the promotion Of the interests and
honor Of our common country, and esteem il piece
of good fortune that in performing this duty have
crossed no material opinion OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
denounced no principle once avowed--and avowed |
none once denouncedthat have deserted from or to
party, but have maintained straight forward and
direct course, from the beginning ofmy TO the
present moment.
Even on that policy which has been the occasion of
the greatest difference between me and my constitu-
ents, am entitled at their hands, at least 10 the Gre
dit Of consistency Before my reelection my judy
ment was fixed in regard to IT, Experience and he
verdict Of the country have proved how Justly my es
innate was. Il has fallen, and amidst is hdeous ruin
has dragged down the party which supported it.
Anonosf the cvils which ie,vcc.te.l A; ~. ....