The republic., 1850-12-02

attachment 10 "the Conssituton - II u, and tho
Union - u was" IL rose with the majesty and
splendor OF the morning sun. God grant that II
may never set in blood If il can be preserved
with safety and honor to ourselves, say, let it DO
preserved and be perpetual II not, let the league
be cut forever. | hopo | am sufficiently under
STOOD but this Ia not the time for applying tho
KNIFE: AZ moment when we haye aroused the
ug ,n.elhgent pDfuon OF the population OF the free
States 10 iuli sense OF the Of the crisis who
have at once the deepest stake in the preservation
OF the Union and of the public peace OF the country
VINO are now waging a war ad iatsrmationsm with
the most vindlcuve OF our enemies, for = single
State, like South Carolina, suspected in her low
atty TO the Union to make the issue ut once would
be calamity cannot but think greatly to be do
plored
1t will undoubtedly be retorted upon me "You
were in favor Of separate action by the State in 1891
and 1892; and, perhaps. had as muoh,if not more,
to 90 in bringing that crisis than any man in the
State" This is altogether true. but we grappled
then with what we believed palpable violation Of
the Constitution. We had an issue on which we
could apply, through our own State Legislature, .
practicable remedy. But, if the crisis had termi-
mated In blood for which We were prepared, on this
great question, we had the synpa,hirs Of the whole
civilized world in our favor. Shall we have it in
the issue you are now urged 10 make? Besides, in
our free-trade struggle, although had one third
of our own State against US, we triun,phed and
compelled Congress to repeal the odous tariff
oflS25
IL is Justification Of nll history to say ths was a
charitable boon-a concession to the fears and
weakness of South Carolina. 1t resulted from. the
fact that the General Government were less will
ing to look civil war in the face than ourselves
We were as well prepared as they were. We had
twenty thousand men enrolled, and larger field
train and heavy battery than the French had at the
siege Of Antwerp.
1t ia time Ishould conclude this long letter which
has already been extended to an unreasonable
length .
Let say something now of a man whose
Ia aha pT or,,I,
who now sleeps in his grave, before speak Of so
insignihcant personage as myself
believe, before God, if the voice Of John c. Cal
houn could now be heard from the tomb, he would
call upon you to II he were now alive, he
would see that every hope he had formed in the
sanguineness OF his temperament, of the co.. opera
ton and alliance of the other Southern States,
iadng under the gradual fall in the public spirit
IN those Ststes on which he confidently relied.
lie would see the Wilmot Proviso, as far as the
legislation OF Congress ia concerned, crushed and
trainpled under trot. de would Fugitive
Slave Bill passed far stringent in its provi-
sions than he could have supposed would have re-
ceived the sanction OF Congress. He would see q
great party rising up at the North, great at least
in wealth, intelligence and talent, who resolved
to maintain the constitutional rights of the South.
In spite OF the admission of California fragrant
that act OF injustice may have been, and the pas
sage of the boundary Bill, he would now say to
you, "wait and bide your time" "The issue or a
pacific triumph must come soon." SIN an inter-
est common to the whole South, the whole South
believe this would now be his language, if God,
In his mercy, had spared him to u.s.
Revolution, it has been justly said, is the hot bed
OF genius, and OF high capacities for the public
wee. trust that you may lind some man who
shall arise out OF its prolific matrix, who shall pos
sess the colossal grandeur of the intellect Of JoHN
C. CALHouN. When ! ask, where are now the COM
panions OF my labors, in my free-trade struggles.
the grave can, almost alone, respond to my moan
ing inquiry.
Calhoun sleeps in the slumber of death. The
gifted Turnbo with all his sterling integrity and
iirmness of character, his incompatible power Of
investigating and discussing the subtle truths
IN political philosophy, has gone forever to his
rest Harper, with all his gigantic ability, is
powerless now And what shall say Of the friend
of my bosom, the endeared, never to be forgot
ten, and superbly endowed Hayne, man of whom,
as think, "my heart grows liquid as | write,
and could pour it out like water" Where are
McDufhe and Preston, once equally command
ing, brilliant, and all-powerfui, each in his
province of intellect both stricken down by tho
hand of an unreleniing and cruel infrmity. God
grant that you may find such men in your approach
ing struggle. The soil which produced them may
produce Others of equal if transcending power.
But you will be fortunate If you find SUCH As to
myself, among the last survivors, the least consid
cradle of the throng, claim the privilege speak
ing to you Yea, in the language Of truth and bold
ness, have no public honor emolument to ask
at your handa. II the influence of my opinion was
for time discrcdited by my supposed interest in
the public debt of Texas, that discredit circum-
stances must now withdraw forever The payment
OF that debt is placed beyond contingencies. Even
in your jealous acceptation am at last freeman
again. and every inch South Carolinian. When,
therefore, approach you, and ask you. as believe
your Great Statesman wo6ld ask you, If he were
alive, to pause and bide your time, come not alone
as a man who once contributed to lead you To n
great constitutional victory, but one who is now
determined, if you do act, TO share in all the periis
of your struggle whether defeat or victory lights
on your standard.
You may discredit my opinions, and. because
they differ with your own, suspect my allegiance,
but you cannot deny me the privilege, whatever
| may think of le wisdom and policy of your meas
ures, of battling with you, however humble may
be my post.
know no other public ethics which are applica-
bic to this subject but this II is enough that our
country is at war. Let our enemies demonstrate
that she is wrong. Her have but ono duty, to
think that she Is right, and TO sanctfy the belief
with life itself, If need DO.
hope, fellow citizens, that you will pardon the
extreme freedom Of this communication. could
not leave this for the interior of Texas, which may
dcain me for avery few weeks from South Carolina,
without admonishing you of the extreme peril OF
your relying on the sympathy and support OF the
other Southern States, and the no less greater peril
of acting separately at the present crisis | know
your dauntless courage. God, in his benehcencc,
has never made a brayer people. know on your
| own SOIL in your own defences, you whip
twice your force, etit come from where II may. i
desire that thcse great and glorious resources
which, If IL should come, they will tell with vic
torious power. For venture to predict, If such
frghtful calamity civil war should ever befal our
country, the Banner Of South Carolina will be in
the van, and her gallant sons will form the Tenth
Legion in any force with which she may be allied.
In such cohort, If the hand Of God does not strike
me with death or paralysis, you will find me en-
rolled. Bot let us add TO bravery, discretion; to
GOODNESS and possession, forecast as subtle as
the stratagems which may be designed TO circum-
vent ne.
tell you, for tell you in the language Of an old
tried and once trusted friend wait with patience.
peaceful or bloody triumph is at hand. i know
you are prepared for either. subscribe myself
with unatcrable loyalty, your devoted iellow.ci-
tizen. JAMES HAMILTON.
Rebiepe, Oyster Crsek, Braroria County,
(Tsras,) Nov. IL, 1850.
From the Sandwich Islands.