The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-25
South Carolina

south Carolina.
Extracts from the Inaugural Address pronounced before
the General assembly Of South Carolina BY his En-
celtency John H. Means.
In contemplating our federal relations, wish could
State institutions. The federal Union is now al peace
with all the world. It's power and influence every
where acknowledge its commerce whllens every sea
pety within there dscord, dissatisfaction, and dscon-
tent.
Twogreat parties auayed in deadly hostility against
each other and what is the OF this hostility II
results on the part Of the South from knowledge Of the
foul injustice which has been practsed against -ron
the insults and injuries which have been heaPed upon i
and to the support of which it has ever contributed more
than its just proportion-fom the indignation which
every southern heart must feel that we are called
upon TO share IN all the dangers, expenses and pnvaons
OF its conquests, and are permitted to enjoy more Of
their benefits The dissatisfaction and discomfort OF our
people with their government IS Just and natural One
OF the principal ends OF the government is the secu-
r,y of property; yet property is in danger from
other power upon the face OF the earth than from that
which was instituted for It's protection doubt It
there was government, purely constitutional IN
its character which had made 4dch rapid strides in
breaking down every constitutional barrier, and in the
prostrdon OF The rights and liberties OF ils citizens
To prove the truth OF this assertion, need but point
you TO the acts OF Congress for the last few years He
be wlfully blind who does not see IN them eel
tied determination on the part OF Congress 10 break
slaVery-dn
teclion OF which is ndeliby stamped upon the con.
sttution-an institution with which all our feelings, all
interests. nay, all our hopes completely blended,
that its destruction must carry with IN rs dreadful
Our liberties our property, our characters, are 10 be
submitted to the tender mercies OF majority whose
every thought feelings and emotion concentrated IN
burning focus of hatred against US and our instiu
TONS Under these circumstances what are we to look
for, what are we 10 expect Through the dim vista
OF the dark and gloomy future before u.s. we can see no
If thanu
but on the contrary sad vision OF the gradual ruin and
decay OF our State until we are reduced 10 condition
OF colonial vassalage far worse than that from winch
our fathers rescued Them Sad experience has proved
that the safeguards placed the rights OF our country
in the form OF parchment but parchment at lasihat
the only edectu bulwark which can be thrown around
them is bulwark OF men who know their rights, and
have the courage to maintain them.
Finally we dissatisfied with the federal govern
meat because il has utterly failed in accomplishing the
ends for which il was created The harmony and
good feeling il designed To promote between the
States. the injustice the anaiicsm, the mpertnence OF
the NORTH have entirely destroyed The general wei
fare" was intended to promote has resulted 10 build
ing up section upon the ruin OF the other The do
nestle peace and tranquility" il was intended TO secure
have never known for under ts protection those are
actually supported and encouraged who are setting
ures on foot amongst u.s. the fatal termination OF which
can alone be seen amid all the terIors OF blood and
burnings And yet we are even called upon TO vene;
rate such a governments government which would
stamp the brand OF nferiory and degradation upon US,
which, like fell malaria. is scattering its blghting and
whitening influence all around-which, BY the consnm-
nation OF its measures would light up the dark future
before us by the blaze OF happy homes We
called upon 10 shout hosannas TO union which has
been entirely perverted from It's original purposes into an
engine OF fraud corruption aud oppression, or ncuS The
odium OF reckless disorganizers who for ambition
wicked purposes would pull down glorious fabric &C.
mented by the blood OF our fathers.
few years back, when IL hrst became manifest that
corruption had crept into our SYSTEM that the powers OF
the federal about TO be used to Cypress
and plumber ts citizens, that the constitution was in
hui loua nj
the Union threw herself solitary and alone, into the
breach by the interposon OF her State sovereignty to
save both the constitution and the Union Yet Tor this
generous this self sacrificing act, all the power, patron
age and influence OF the federal government have been
used to brand the actors in that as disunioniss
and cover their with all the nfamy which should
attach itself to Hartford conventioniss But how differ
ent are the crcum stances under which they actedbow
different their moivesl The Hartford conventionists
attacked the government when 1t was weak, when II
was engaged in war with foreign power, and when
generous patriotism called upon Them to forget their
private gries aud rush the standard OF their common
country South Carolina bearded the "lion In his den,
upon 6rm and lasting basis the principles Of liberty and
equality upon which country would have hourished
forever They, like traitors, would have given as.
sisance the enemies OF their country in the hour OF
In future days. the impartial historian. unnnenced by
the passions and preudces which surround and pos
sessng the sdvansages Of me asvelORmsns wnen ume
will record this hated and dsrded act Of notification as
the rst step towards the restoration Of down rodden
bery and the names Of Calhoun, OF Harper OF Hayne,
of Turnbul and OF Miller, with all their talents, their
patriotism and their virtues will have no halo OF glory
encircng them more brilliant than that which enshrnes
their memories in the hearts OF posery the able de.
tenders Of constitutional liberty and the fearless advo-
Gates OF the only remedy by which the Union could have
been saved No we have been false TO the Union
OF our fathers Just give back that glorious Union,
under which just and equal laws threw their broad ngis
over conented, conhding and happy people, and we
will cling 10 il with all the devoted fondness Of child 70
It's mothers bosom But to this Union with tyrsnts and
punderers we owe no allegiance; for il we have no
love under IL we will not 1--we, unless we are recreant
TO all we have held dear sscredo honor
our interest," the bright example OF agaant ancestry, sy,
TO the bright and glorious destiny which await us II
we could have saved the Union. would have done go
n the South were united 40 their dangers plead
trum they should be. could bring back the
Union 10 ts ogns purity and dictate the terms OF future
securiry Bat a. long these unhappy divisions exist,
q ong a. among prominent poIitcans treason hour