The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03
From the .Nelo Orleans Com. Bulletin.

FROM We VFeD OfteGnS Com. bulletin.
The ribaldry with which it was to be expected
such letter as the eloquent and patriotic epise of
Gen. HAMILTON to Mr.. Nc DUFFIE published in this
journal last week. would encounter from those who
cannot understand its sentiments, appreciate its mo-
tves, nor rise to the dignity of the questions which
1t embraces, having probably exhausted its stock of
nvectives, has ceased We think it proper, there,
fore, now to say few words, lest silence be con-
strued into an assent to erroneous statements that
have been made touching the letter and its distin-
gushed author.
The character Of Gen. Hamilton does not need
defence In his native country, in the adjoining Re-
public OF Texas, and in Europe, he bears the charac
ter Of of great ability, of honor, of courage
and OF warm and generous impulses A word there
fore, IN reiutation of the assertion that Gen Ham
ton is not citizen of the United Sates and is there
fore chargeable with impertinent interference, is all
we shall indulge in Gen. II. has neither voluntarily
nor involuntarily expatriated himself He holds at
this moment, and has always held every right and
privilege that his nativity in the State Of South
Carolina gave him. 1t is true that he has served
IN public capacities in another country than his ewn
but he had lllustrious examples before him 1t is not
true that he took oath of allegiance to the Govern
ment of Texas. He committed no act of expatria-
ton beyond the acts committed by every European
subject who fought in our revolution, and by every
American who assisted in the wars of Mexico, or Of
Central or South America, has served in any way
the independent Governments which have sprung up
in imitation TO our own in the world Besides
what grace this charge of Sin erierence" has in the
mouths OF those who, only fortnight ago, extolled
to the skies letter from the writer, discussing
the merits of the different candidates for the Pres
dencyl
Still less does the character Of South Carolina or
of "South Carolina heroes,n who have been so con
temptuously sDeered at, need justification. What
ever may be said or thought OF the position which
assumed by South Carolina in 1882, (and we
shall not attempt TO excuse the attitude in which
she placed herself) il must at least be admitted that
that State did not take advantage Of time when the
country was struggling in foreign and precarious
war; TO represent her grievances and enforce relief
moreover it cannot be said with truth that her words
were crammed down her throat'she succeeded
in obtaining nearly all that she asked, nor till then
laid down her arms " South Carolina heroes" have
shown themselves quite equal, we believe to the he
roes of any other State, whether with pen or sword
The South Carolina character stands as high, in ev-
cry good quality, as the character Of any people. In
the wars of the country IL has proved brave and
IN proportion to her population, the State has con-
tributed incomparably great TO the nation
al legislature than any of her sisters.
In regard to the letter ITSELF we hold il to be but
proper response to the insulting dsloyal manfes
to of Mr.. Webster. The Gerry of dsunion" is not
raised in it. Moreover even If il were the patriotic
pens that hourished their rhodomontade on the ap-
pearance Of the letter, might have found earlier vent
Tor their Indignation had they chosen to denounce the
cry when IL came from their friends and fellow
partisans. The ''cry Of disunion, however," as has
been charged, does not appear in the letter. The
whole country is spoken of as "our country the
benefits which would result TO the whole by adding TO
the system the ad Joining territory that invites the
connexIon, are dwet upon-the evils that must re- |
suit to the whole by the prevalence of such unjust
and insulting dogmas MIR. Webster avows are |
pointed out. Throughout the letter Gen II. mani |
fests affection for the entire country-he draws |
such invidious and injurious distinctions between
different sections as MIR Webster draws-he does
not, Mr. Webster does, separate the States into |
castles declaring that no more of certain sort can be
admitted, those Of that sort that are in being barely
endurable.
The position assumed by General Hamilton is .
this that if Congress shall declare "its authentic
sense" as is clearly TO be inferred from Nj Web
sters letter is his sentiment that the rights Of such
of the States have persons in them held to bond
age only respected in the other States conse-
quence of the obligation which the Constitution con-
fers that those obligations are already considered
and that, therefore "no more slave States
shall be admitted into the Union-in this case Gen.
era Hamilton contends, and we believe he will be
earnestly responded to, that it will behooye the
South TO assert her dignity and rights. When it
comes to be an sckno lodged principle--or, the
part of the North, an asserted principle that odous
exist, which make the Union dlsreputa-
BILE. When the compromises of the Constitution
come to be compared, they have BEEN in the
of the discussion, growing out of the proposed
re-annex aton OF Texas, 10 Shyiocks boud'--we do
not we'll see how the South is to remain, with re.
gard either 10 her interests her honor, in family
with those who despise contemn, insult
and threaten her.
As long as the doctine adopted by Mr.. Webster
was only uttered by men of no influence or, among
men Of note, confined TO those whose dissappoint.
ments had distempered their minds, it did not per.
haps require the earnest RESI- onse it has now met with.
But coming from a man of Mr.. Webster's repute as
an expounder of the Constitution-from man who
has earned national reputation and is often spoken
OF in connection with the Chief Magstracy of the
Union, It acquires certain authority and weight
that cannot be met by too positive an assurance that
1T will not I've submitted to.
Tie Constitution Of the United States does not u