The State guard., 1848-08-01
EALLApEeA, July %, 1e4s.
Io he Editor of Me eS.ate Guard,':

'ftN @1N''Sf v tffo- tfnt<tO NfNttft
 A friend has this day called my atten- ton to an editorial in your paper of the 18th inst, which, from it's novelty and in- justice. demands passing notice.
 When the painful conviction was forced upon my mind, that, upon the slavery question the Democrats of the North were abandoning the cause of the South and of the Constitution, felt Inc necessi- ty of Union between Southern whigs and Southern democrats, in defence ol their equal rights in any territory "belong- ing to the United States" For years past, the difference between Southern de- mocrats and Northern democrats, upon the questions ofithe Tariff, Internal Im- provements, and Slavery, has been be- coming more marked and wide. Mir. Van Buren's late course has but confirmed the estimate of Northern politicians, which the events of the last four years had impress ed upon my mind. As true Southern democrat, l resolved to support General Taylor, whose feelings, education, inte- rests, and geographical position, identify him with the South and whose great heart and pure life had marked him out as friend of his whole country, and of a strict construction of the constitution.
 In taking position for Gen. Taylor, I did not expect to escape the abuse and persecution usually poured out by the wor- shippers of power, by those who differ from their dictation. Washington did not escape the foul assaults of the calumnia. tors. Jefferson was grossly reviled. AL mo every crime known among men was charged against Jackson. If these good and great men were thus slandered and outraged, an humble man like, myself ought not to expect exemption from inius- tice, daring to follow the pathway illu- mined by theirfgreat minds. f4a
 But although l expected to be bitterly assailed by the enemies of Gen. Taylor, l never did expect to hear of man who would hold himself out as the author ol theassertions contained in your editorial. Among other things, you assert that was known in South Carolina as a whig, or rather an 'Adam's man, next in this State, to take his own appellation of himself, as the vance guard of democracy"
 Tnever have been a whig, nor an sAd- am's man., nor have I ever taken to my selt the appellation of 'the vance guard ol democracy" Mypolitical opinions were formed in South Carolina, and remain unchanged. In that State 1 was so thor oushly opposed to Protective Tariff, that approved of Modification as remedy for that evil, or as a remedy for any other violation of the Constitution. l am still a States Right Democrat-opposcd to a Protective Tariff, to Nationol Bank. Dis tribution scheme, and to every other mca- sure that is not in strict conformity to the constitution. l have not been permitted to give but two votes for Presidant. In lS40 voted for Mir. Van Buren, in ls44 for Mir. Polk. In every past struggle since l was capable of acting or thinking l have been on the side of the South, and for all its constitutional rights. am still willing to contend for those rights, and cannot consent to surrender the territory acquired from Mexico to the monopoly O the North nor am 1 willing that the South shall be excluded from it either b, Congress, or Gas Gen. Cass proposes) by the people who inhabit that territory.
 l am not sensible of ever having o6en. d d you. And even if had, it would be far more satisfactory to your intelligent readers, if you would answer my argu. ments and positions, instead of attempt. ing to divert public attention from them by gross assaults on me. Abuse of me will not prove that Gen. Cass ought to be j elected. s ~
 pity you for your insinuation of i'm proper conduct on my part towards the State Bank and Branches. That charge was made by my political enemies in ls41, during my canvass in this county A full investigation was had. after the Bank papers were obtained. Upon that investigation l was acquitted by large public meeting, composed principally ol my heated political toes. Immediately af- forwards was elected to the Legislature at the head of list of candidates. Still was pursued. On my own demand an- l oihSi ihNCstiSutioH WdS ustu DclOIc tilc lCp islature in the. winter of lS4l. Persons and papers were sent for; and was again unanimously acquited--both politi- cal parties concurring in my acquittal. In ls45 ] was the democratic nominee fol Congress in this Dist. and received very large majority of the democratic votes, but was defeated by the invincible popu. larity of Gen. Mcconnell, sustained as he was by the almost unanimous vote ol the whig party, and his respectable body of devoted personal friends of the demo- cratic party. r sat
 Do you think it right to lend your aid to perpetuate calumny twice investigated and twice exposedi If my political opin. ions are not approved by you, show the people that they are wrong, if you can = But do get your own consent to be just to- wards those who cannot think as you do. Do not hunt up state islanders which orig. mated in political injustice, and which on two investigations have been branded as totally unsustained by truth. %
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