The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-03
THE UNION


and be perpetual II not the league be cut
forever hope am sufficiently understood Bur this is
moi the time for applying the knife. AT moment when
we have aroused The intelligent portion OF the population
Of the free States 10 fal sense OF the danger Of the
walton OF the Union and OF the public peace OF the coun
try-who are waging war od inleyaationem with
the ylndicye oil enemies Tor single Stale like
South Carolina SO suspected in her loyalty to the Union.
to make the issue at once, would be calamity cannot
but think, greatly 10 be depored:
Ii will undoubtedly be reiored upon me, You in
favor OF separate action by the State in 1881 and 1882,
and perhaps had much, II not more to do in bring
ing that crisis than any man in The State This is all
together uus. But we grapped then with what we be-.
leyed palpabe violation o. the constitution. We had
an issue on which could apply through own State
legislature, practical remedy But il the crisis had
terminated in blood, Tor which we were prepared on
this great question, had The sympathy Of The whole
civilized world in our favor. Shall we have IN the
issue you now urged 10 make Besides IN our Tree
trade struggle, although we had one third OF our own
State against u.s. trumphed and compelled Congress
TO repeal the odions tariff OF 1925. s l a HH
II is Justification OF all history 70 say that this was
charitable boona concession 10 the fears and weak ness
OF South Carolina II resulted from the fact that the
general government less willing TO look civil war
in the face than ourselves We were well prepared
as they were We had 200 men enrolled, and larger
field train and heavy battery than the French had al the
siege OF Antwerp,
Il is time should conclude this long letter, which has
already been extended TO an unreasonable length.
Let me say something now OF man whose opinions
were lle short OF oracuar with YOU who now sleeps in
his grave, before speak oil so insignificant parsonage
AS myself.
believe, before God, if the voice Of John c. Calhoun
could be heard from the tomb, he would call upon
you TO PAUSE Ii he now alive, he would see that
every hope he had formed in the sangneness OF his tenn
permanent, OF Tie operation and alliance OF the other
southern States, was fading under the gradual fall IN the
public spirit in those States on which he 80 confidently
relied He would the Wmo Proviso, as lar as the
legislation OF Congress Is concerned, crushed and tram
pied under foot He would see a fugitve-slase bill
passed. far stringent in its provisions than he could
have supposed would have received the SANCTION oil Con-
gress. He would see great party rising up a. me
Norhgreat at least in wealth intelligence, and talent
who resolved to maintain the constitutional rights OF
the South In spite OF the admission oil California, fla
grant that act OF injustice may have BEEN and the pass
bs @ r soaa
must soon." In an interest common to the whole
South, the whole South must move ~ harmony and re-
sstance together" believe this would now be his Ian
guage. # God, in his mercy had spared him to US.
Revolution. il has been justly said, is the hot-bei Of
genus, and of high capacities for the public service
its prolific max. who shall possess the colossal grandeur
Of the intellect of John c. Calhoun. When ask where
the companions OF my labors in my free-trade
sruggles' the grave can almost alone respond TO my
moaning inquiry .
Calhoun sleeps in the slumber Of death The gifted
Turnbu with all his sterling integrity and rmness OF
character his incompatible power oil investigating and
discussing the most subtle truths in political philosophy,
has gone forever to his rest Harper with all his gigantic
ability, is poweress now And what shall say OF the
and superbly endowed Hayne ia man OF whom, as
think, my heart grows liquid as write, and could
pour out like walter" Where are McDufiie and Pres
ton once equally commanding, brilliant, anu all-powe
full, each in his province oil intellect Both stricken
down By the hand OF unrelenting and cruel inhrmy
God grant that you find such in your approach
ing struggle. The soil which produced Them may pro-
duce others OF equal, II not tIanscendlng power But
you will be fortunate II you lind such. As to myself,
among the last survivors, The least considerable OF the
hropg. claim the privilege Of speaking TO you-yea,
in the language OF truth and holiness have public
honor emolument TO ask at your hands II the niu
OF my opinion was Tor a time dlscredlted by my
supposed interest in the public debt OF Texas that dis
credit circumstances must now withdraw forever The
payment OF that debt is placed beyond contingencies
Even your Jealous acceplalion am al last freeman
again, and every iaeh South Carolnan When, there
fore, | approach you, and ask you, as believe your
great statesman would ask you IL he were now alive 10
pause and bde your time, come not alone as a man
who contributed 10 lead you 10 great constltu-
lona victory, but who is now determined. if you
do ac share in all The perils of your struggle whether
defeat or victory lights on your standard
You may dseed my opinions, and because they differ
with your suspect my allegiance; but you cannot
deny me The privilege whatever may think OF the wis.
dom and policy OF your measures, oil battling with you,
however huuibe may be my post
know no other public ethics which applicable TO
This subject hut this II is enough that our country is al
Let our enemies demonstrate that sue Is wrong.
Her sons have but duy-to think that she is right
and to s,nclify the belief Wi life itself, il need be.
hope, ielowcuzens, that you will pardon The ex.
IRENE freedom OF this communication. could not leave
this fer the Interior oil Texas, which may deain me Tor
very few weeks from South Carolina, without aimon.
lshlng oil the extreme peru OF
sympathy and support OF the other southern States and
the less greater peril Of acting separately at the pres
| ent crisis know your dauntless courage. God, in
his benehcence, has never made Drawer people.
know on your sol, ia your own deience. you can
whip twice your force let il come from where il may;
desire that these great and glorious resources shall be
kusanded and reserved for crisis in which, ii IL should
come they will tell with victorious power For venture
TO predict, IL such frighul calamity civil war should
ever beis country the banner OF South Carolina will
be in the van and her gallant will form the Tenth
Legion in any force with which ste may be allied. In
such cohon, IL the hand OF God does not strike me
with death or paralys you will Ind me enrolled But
let Us add 10 bravery dscreonio GOODNESS and self
esson forecast as subtle the stIaagems which may
| be designed 10 circumvent us.
tell you--for tell you in the language Of an old
tried, and once trusted Irend-wat with patience. A
| peaceful or bloody triumph Is at hand know you
are prepared for either.
subscribe my self, with unalterabe loyalty your de-
'O'S' JAMES HAMILTON.
RETRIEvE, Oyster creek,
Brasoria county, (Texas,) Nov. III, 1850,