The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-18

give the public specimen of the opinion at pre-.
sent entertained of theirforner allies by some
Of the ruling spirits at the South-men Of high
intelligence, character and influence, and many
of them with large possessions which, with
meaner natures, would serve as strong bonds to
keep the peace under any proyocation, rather
than run the risk even of a temporary deprecia-
ton, or possible loss. a,-.......
The imPloring and pathetic appeal to the
Southern Democracy in yesterdays Union,
shows the impression made on The mind
of the veteran editor by public demonstrations
as well rs his own private correspondence
from that quarter--but he affects to think that
the unity of the Wing party is still preserved.
The sense Of common misfortune is often
the most healing balm for bleeding wounds"
of this kind. We will therefore administer
that consolation by repubshing the stern repu-
diation of that party by gentleman second to
none in the Southern country for his devotion
to the Wing doctrines and policy in the days
lot their purity, and who never has retracted or
disowned single principle of the true conser-
vative creed alone worthy of that consecrated,
historic name. The gentleman to whom We
specially refer is Col. JNo. s. PRESTON, kindred
not only in blood, but in genius and in elo-
quence to his more famous brother Wan. G..
PRESTON, who has also sacrificed his allegiance
to the party Of which he has ever been shin
ing light, to that higher allegiance every free
man owes to the sovereignty of his State, and
the Constitution of his country. ~ .r. is.
The letter we subjoin speaks more eloquently
the sentiments of the writer, than any words
of ours could-it only remains for us to pre-
face it with the remark that he is leading
member of the Legislature, and large holder
Of slaves-throwing as large stake into the
cause as did JOHN HANCOCK in the days of the
Revolution. The same remark applies to Col
WADE HAMPTON, whose position in the Wing
party at the South, and whose present attitude,
are precisely similar to those of his friend and
neighbor, whose words needs no interpreter.
The stupid slur upon the selfish motives
which prompt Southern agitators-the desire of
place or power-cannot apply to men like these.
who have every possible inducement to uphold
in power where the party they sustained so
long in defeat.
| These are not rare or remarkable instances
for the spirit at the South is fast becoming uni
versal among the more intelligent and thinking
men. We have cited them only because the
letter of Mr.. PRESTON, which we publish, sug-
gested these reflections, when perusing it imme-
diately after the Unions diatribe against the
Wings of the South AS were their ancestors
in l776, so will be the Wings of that section in
the present crisis, "FEw, BUT FIRM AND FAITH
Full"
From the Columbia IS. CO. Telegraph
LETTER OF Col. J. s. PREsToN.-The follow
ing letter was written in reply to an invitation
to the mass meeting at Pendleton. 1t was ad-
dressed to Messrs. Burt, Sloan, Maxwell, Gail
lard, Seaborn, Taylor and Sharpe" and is dated,
Summer Home, Sept "a, 1850:
"Gentlemen Il have had the honor to receive
your letter inviting me to attend mass meeting
at Pendleton, on the first day of October | use
no merely formal expression when l say that I
do most sincerely regret my inability to Join YOU
at the time Indicated 1t would be most graft
flying to be permitted to unite with you in coun-
Gil concerning the grave and fearful issues now
before the country. If my heart needed stirring
to meet these high Matters know it would be
reused by the spirit which will animate the men
of the mountains. know what that spirit is
for claim descent from some of those who
seventy years ago-rushed from the valleys and
mountain sides of my native Virginia to repel
the invader from the borders of nv adopted
Carolina. The cause in which we are this day
engaged, is rot less urgent, Jess imperative, less
sacred than that for which they bled at Kings
Mountain and the Cowpens. | do not believe
the past history of civilized legislation furnishes
a parallel of such rapid and reckless encroach-
ment upon rights, ascertained and fixed by Con-
stitutional enactment, as that which marks the
late career of the General Government 1t
seems, literally to have torn the Constitution
into shreds and given it to the winds-all its
powers have fallen into the hands of party
which, urged on by the apparent interest and
real fanaticism are driving forward their fell pur-
poses with Titantic progress
Emerging from feeble and despicable ORR
gin, this party has risen and expanded until
now, it not only dictates the policy of the nation
but Is ready to wage war against Heaven it.
self. Destructive in all its principles, ferocious
and fanatic in religion, debauched and scanda
lous in the code and practice of its morals, it is
held together and strengthened by all the adhe-
sive sympathies of blasphemy, atheism, polu-
Ton ana treason,-such as 1t ls-it has had
power to rend from us all the safeguards of tho
Constitution, and now self-preservatiou, as well
as decency and selfrespect leave us but one al
tentative, and that is to quit them at once and
forever-are we ready for this? | believe in
South Carolina no true patriot hesitates, and vet
believe every man appreciates all the dangers
and all the difficulties involved in the disruption of
one government and the substitution of another.
If we take this step it will be done-calmly, firmly
and Understandings The doubling and timed
will have time to escape, leaving the work to
those who willing for it, so that when we come
to act or to suffer, there will be no faltering in
| our purposes
"My Judgment is that our legislature should
meet at the regular time and at once propose to
the slaveholdiAg States a convention of States
for the avowed purpose of withdrawing from the
| existing confederation, and settling the details
and preparing for the contingencies of that Sc
cesson. Should we fail to engage our fellow