Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-06-11
dinner. at that place, at such time as he might
designate. The following is his reply to the
letter Of invitation.

designate. The following is his reply to the
letter of invitation.
FoRT HILL, 18Th May, 1916.
Gentltmea:-From some delay IN fhe
mail, did not receive. until few days
since, your leuerof the 2lsl April, inform
| iaS me. that a democratic meeting held in
the city of Mobile on the I4lh oflbe
same month, you we're appointed a. COM
millee 10 express the S6rdial appreciation
of the meeting of my public conduct;
their gratitude for my services, and to-
offer on the part of the meeting, such
iolher manifestations Of their respect and.
eseem as you might think proper.
| will not atlemptto express the deep,
gratitude | feel fer the warm appreciation
of my public conduct aud services ex-
pressed by The meeting in their resolutions,
and The very acceptable manner in which
| you have. performed the duty entrusted TO
you.
In perlormingii, you have alluded with
particular appreciation 10 my condnct and
services in reference TO State Rights, aud
during the period filed, fora short,ime,
the State Department under the lale ad.
ministration. -
To no part of my public life DO Hook
back with greater pleasure, than that de-
voted to expounding and maintaining the
relations between the Federal and State
Governments. on which the doctrine on
Stale Righlsdepend. and,il is great cou-
ISOLATION for NE to think it,has not been in
vain, -
The Federal Government regarded in
its federative character, in which States
aud mol individuals, are its constituents, is
the most remarkable ever formed /; and
promises, if carried out honestly and fair
ly as such. higher:degree prosperity and
happiness, than has ever falIen1o ihe lot
Of any people. On HE other hand,-re
garded as national Government, in which
individuals and not States are the .cons,i.
tuenls, has nothiug novel or remarkable
about it. instead of grear Federal Re-.
public. as il is. ii would lie ip that eharac-.
ter huge, unwieldly democracy, destined
to be lorn into fragments by hostile and,
conflicting interests, and to terminate ia
coavulsions. Such being my conyietion,
fell it my duly 10 maintain the Federal
character of The Government against the
national or consultative, al any sacrifice
aud hazard, and shall continue to do so,' so
long as il shall! please the author of my
being TO spare nylife.
The services rendered during lhe peri
cd filled the Stale Department, were
performed under great difficulties aud eln-
barrassmen's. Nothing, indeed. but the,
magnitude Of the questions involved In the
negotiations in reference 10 Texas and
Oregon, with the difficulties and embar.
rassments encircling them, and The unani-
nous call of the country 10 take charge Of
the negotiations, could have induced me
TO leave my retirement and .eturn to pub
lie life. Besides those that were Intrinsic,
there were many that were Of an exrrane-
Gus character.
Among others, the administration was
literally without a party in Congress and
very feebIy supported by thepeople; and
the presidential question was pending,
which experience had taught me Qverruled
10 great measure all others. 80.
The negotiation in reference 10 Texas
first claimed my attention. because it was
the most pressing and could not be delayed
without hazard. In order 10 avoid The,
difficulties aud embarrassment which I
.pprebenned from The presidential cleo.
lion, II resolved to keep entirely aloof
aloof from the party politics of the day,
and especially from questions relating: TO-
The election, and to use my efforts to&sa-
duce The candidates not 10 commit Them
selves agains, annexation. | had little
apprehension tha, Mr.. Van Bureu would
as great maturity Of his friends with
Gen. Jackson al their head, had declared
for it. The position of Mr.. Clay was
different. The masses Of his friends IN
the north opposed ii which | feared would
sway him. In order TO oprcveal il if pos
sible, saw some Of his most prominent
friends, with whom was on friendly
terms. and used every argument could
with them, TO exert their influence 10 pre-
venI him from coming out against it.
II was all in vain. His letter in oppo-
siton soon after appeared, and Mr.. Van
Buren's followed shortly after, mos, unex-
pectedly 10 me.
Their effect was great. Mr.. Clay's
friends were rallied against il almost to q
man. although the grea, body Of them in
The West and South were strongly dis
posed 10 support it,, aud no. a few Of tho
prominent openly committed in its lavor.
II was different with Mr.. Van Buren's.
The great body of his supporters remained
firm in lis support but active, influen-
tial and mol an iuconsiderable number ad-
hered 10 his course. Indeed, the stand
taken by the selected candidates OF the
two great parties. with The influence OF the
presidential question andihe feebleness Of
the administration in Congress and the
country, seemed, for time, to render the
prospect of success almos. hopeless.
To these causes OF opposi,ionlhere must
be taken into consideration another, 10 re-
alizc the difficulties and embarrassmenis
that stood in the way Of the success OF the
measure. ! allude to abolition. II may,
indeed he truly regarded as the main
a