Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-30
Ths inaugural speech Of Gov. Means, Of
south Carolina.

}s New YoRK. Dec. 81.
Tho Charleston p1pers today bring :he
Inaugural Of the New Governor oI South
Carolina, John A. Means.
iaregard :. federal relations, he employs
the faliowing Language:
I'VE are dissatisfied with tho federal
goserrlnenh because j, has utterly failed in
accomplishing the ends for which i, was
rroated. f1'he harmony and good feeling
it vas designed to create among the States }
Tao ii,jns,ics-the fana,icism-!he imper-
iisepca of the North, has entirely destroy.
Cd the general welfare i. was intended 10
prprno.s. This results in building up one
,ec.ion upon the other; but TO this Union
with tyranis md plunderers, we owe no
sllegiance; for il we had no love; under it
We would rot live, unless We are recreant
to all ne have heretofore held dear or sac.
red to our honor or our interests; the brigh,
example Of a gallan. ancestry or the bright
and einrious destiny which now awaits US.
Ii We could, We would have saved ,heUnion.
Il the South were united in the common
danger, and .rnmpe..tongued rs it should
be, Il would bring back the Union to its
original purity, and dictate the terms Of fu-
t:rc1securi,y; bu, rs long as these unhap.
vy divis:oGs cxist--as long as among prom.
inent pcinicans treason flourishes, ,und trait
'urs saYe rewaroed, the only hope which is
l.h Us is 10 be derived from bold hearts and
str:ng armf, and if the Union is dissolved,
as dissldyed II wifi Dps and utt ItIs dreadful
fesuiis are 10 f,w from lis dissolution
which ina aginative writer's have pictured
~iih lis downfall, and the last expiring
ssoIts Of liberty are TO bo heard, let not The
earses Of pos.eri,y ligh, upon our heads,
tIai upon lhe heads Of these who might
haze saved, but whs, preferred the hopes Of
sfsi e.or oven its filthy lucre 10 their allegi.
anee 10 the country ="
!: concludes as follows:
"wh hh these opinions and feelings, SEN
ptars and Representatives, | shall deem i,
ny duly 10 use whatever Influence my po.
sillun may give me, to keep alive 'hs spiri.
+ &c resistance which now animates The hon.
or Of .py constituents and 10 carry out
faithfully and promptly any measures you,
in your wisdom, may desire, TO put the
stals in condition OF thorough preparation
for whatever may happen. Yet love the
cause in which we are engagsd,too we'll to
haznrd i,by any rashness. or indiscreiion.
beseech you to remember thu; We nre
nov actors in enc Of the most important
scenes the world has ever known. | feel
impatient o, delay: yet as we have gone
into consultation with our sister States OF
ahe South, good faith demands that We should
Maii tho result Of the measures suggested
by tho Nashville Convention. We should
) nsei them in the proposed Congress; but
Il all our honest exertions should fail, and
South Carolina should stand alene and SOL
i.ary,ist her ttrow her banner TO the breeze
and lslvs the consequence 20 God. Com
mon iLiercs. and common tongue will
rally oTh6f Southern States 10 cur stand
ntd; every effart has been made to iso
late our State, and prejudice the olher
Soashern STATES, by holding ou, the iden
thai. We Wish to lead them; butt nm sure
speak her universal sentiment. when say
she is willing 10 follow any Of her gallanl
I sisters that will lead off upon the path ol
honor.and duty. All we ask is, in the.hour
.m danger TINT We may be assigned place
nears the ilashing Of tho guns, and do moi
presume direct your counsels. lnclna.
lin as we'll as duty. commands that ! shonle
carry out your highest behcss. owe nc
allegiance to any power on Garth, excep
! thai which / owo South Carolina. When
-Ake speaks her voice must be obeyed.-
Bound TO her by every lie which man
holds sacred on Garth, ] seek no other fats
,taH that which is to be hers"