Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-12-20
THE VOICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.


THE VOICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The New York Tribune gives variety of ex-
tracts from the recent Message of the Governor of
South Carolina to the Legislature of that testy
State. These extracts relate principally to the
Tariff and Texas questions, which arc discussed BY
HIS ENcellency in that cool and placa6ie style so
characteristic of the "Chvalry." The Tariff ques-
ton is dealt with first and the grievances of South
Carolina, under every Tariff that has been enacted
for the last twenty years, set forth in indignant
terms. According to Governor Hammond, the
Compromise Act of 1888 was neither more nor less
tlan :" treaty, made between beiiigerent parties,
lcdh arms IN their hands, soemnly ratified by the
Federal Government on the one part, and a Con-
venton of the State of South Carolina on the 9th
err" Of course, the enactment Of the Tariff of
1912 is regarded and denounced by Gov. Ham
mond as "grosser and more insulting breach of
faith" than any known to history, and tho Message
tells us that the people of South Carolina looked
to the Loco Foco Congress of 1913, "jusly regard
ing it as pledged to free trade" for repeal of this
cxhorbitant Tariff" Congress, however, disap-
pointed these expectations though the great body
of the Loco Focos did their best to destroy the
Wing Tariff, and Gov. Hammond tells the people
Of South Carolina that there seems to be no reas-
enable hope left that this ruinous and unconstitu-
tional Tariff will ever be repealed. What then
shall be the course of South Carolina? His Ex-
cellency thus answers that question:
"Under these circumstances, it devoves on
South Carolina to decide what course she will pur-
sue in reference to the Tariff ! he period has ar
rived when she no longer postpone her final de-
cision. 1t is due from her. 1t is expected of her.
And if she fails TO announce it, her silence never
theless will be conclusive. Whatever may be the
technical validity, or legal force, of the opinions on
this important question which your predecessors
have placed upon your records, it appears clear to
me that our State is bound by her past history and
the principles she processes, and owes it to the
rn al o1p
at an early period bring all her moral, constitution
all and, if necessary, physicm resources, in direct
array against policy which has never been check
ed but by her ntcrpo5ition, and which impoverish-
es our Country, revolutionzes our Government, and
overthrows our liberties. The cxpediency, the
manner and the precise time of doing this are for
your grave deliberations
Modification, then, is South Cardinals "sover-
eign balm for the. evils of the Tariff The Dough
faces of the North will probably spare her the ne
cessity of this application
From the Tariff, Gov. Hammond passes to the
Texas question. This too, is treated of in the
same good temper as the other. The message as
cribes the rejection of the Tyler treaty by the
Senate mainly to the deadly luminosity of por-
ton of this Union to our domestic slavery and the
! fear Of extending and perpetuating it." The Gov
ernor discovers that the Abolition phrenzy is no
longer confined to few restless and daring spirits,
but has seized the whole body of the people IN the
believe that Congress can be cocrced into passing
IAN act Of Emancipation" yet the agitation of the
lquestion does infinite mischief at the South and
therefore must be arrested" and that too d" in the
shortest possible period Of time" How is this to
be done? The Governor thus replies -
"Seeing, as we of the South do, the naked i'm
possibility of emancipation, without the eXtermina
ton of one race the other, through crimes and
horrors too shocking to be Misunderstanding
devastated land covered with ashes tears and blood
i cannot doubt that you will be justified by God
and future generations in adopting any measures,
however startling they may app ar, that will place
your rights and property exclusively under your
own control, and enable you to repe all nerer-
ence with them, whatever shape 1t may assume
And as you incur danger Of no ordinary charac
ter-one so subtle and insidious in its approaches
that there is no asceraining how soon 1t may be
too late to resist It'll believe you will be equally
Justified IN taking these measures as early ard dec-
sirely as IN yow judgment you nay deem proper"
These recommendations are not very definite but
it is plain to see that they belong TO the nulliica
ton school and breathe your true Chivary" spirit.
] 1t is due to the people OF South Carolina to say
that they are not all "Hotspurs" or "Bobadis,"-
This fiery message of Gov Hammond's, though
endorsed by the Charleston Mercury, 1.-THE organ of
Mr.. John q. Calhoun our Secretary Of State)
- the best one heard or read from South Carolina
Governor" did not receive the unanimous approba-
ton of the Legislature Even Mr.. T, w. Pickens,
who is anything but moderate man, complained
of it as unreasonably savage and introduced the
following resolutions as expressive of South Caro-
na's feelings and opinions in the existing crisis
Resolved That the State of South Carolina takes
the deepest interest IN the annexation OF Texas to
this Federal Union because we believe it essential
TO preserve the pence and permanent independence
of the Coniederacy, and must result in advancing
the ultimate prosperity of the whole country.
Resolved, That the collateral issues, which have
H. 81 Mo- AtuNN
by the official communication of Lord Aberdeen to
the Federal Government, dated December ), 1913,
! in which he announces that Great Britain desires
and is constantly exerting herself to procure the
! General Abolition Of Slavery throughout the world
are of such nature as to make the annexation Of
Texas a vital and paramount question to the people
of South Carolina
| Resolved That we look with confidence to the
recent election of a Republican President and Vice
President, as giving a certain guarantee that all
. the constitutional powers Of the Government will
be eXertel TO secure the immediate annexation Of
that Republic.
Resoired, Further, That the Tariff of 1912 is I'M
just, oppressive and against the whole spirit Of the
Constitution; and that the recent triumph OF the
Democratic Republican Party has taken place un-
der such circumstances, as to give us an unequNo-
cal pledge that 1t is to be reduced to q revenue
standard and the wants of an economical govern
mcnt, upon the general principles Of the Compro-
mise Act of 1888.
RESOLVED, That if we should be disappointed in
f our lust expectations, we do not in the slightest de-
gree, by waiting events at present, waive the re-
served rights of the State IN her sovereign capacl'
: ty, to protect her citizens in any future emergency
that may arise,
Whether the message or the resolutions best ex-
press the peculiar views of South Carolina, remains
n to be seem In point of substance they do not dli-
fer very materially, but Mr. Pickens, who is usually