The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-21

ernment because it has utterly failed in accom-
plishing the ends for which it was created The
harmony and good feeling II was designed TO
promote between the States, the injustice the Ia
naticsm, the impertinence OF the North has entire
ly destroyed. The general welfare" it was in
tended TO promote has resulted in building up one
section upon the ruin of the other The domestic
peace aud tranquility" it was intended To secure
have never known; for, under its protection
those are actually supported and encouraged who
are setting measures foot amongst US, the fatal
termination of which alone be seen amid all
the terrors of blood and burning. And yet we are
called upon TO venerate such a Government
a Government which would stamp the brand OF in.
ferioriy and degradation upon US; which, like fell
malaria, is scattering ts blighting and whitening
influence all around; which, by the consumma-
ton of its measures, would light up the dark fu-
ture before us by the blaze OF our own happy
homes. We called upon TO shout hosannas 10
a Union which has been entirely perverted from Its
original purposes into an engine OF fraud, corrup-
tioa and oppression, or incur the odlum oil reckless
disorganiz ers, who. for ambitious or wicked pur
poses, would pull down glorious fabric cemented
by the blood OF our fathers.
The history Of our State. from the frat dawnlng
Of our Revolution to the present time, brands the
foul aspiration false. Whenever and wherever
the star spangled banner has been raised, her pa
riot sons have been among the first to rally to Its
support, and the bloody tracks over which they
have trod testify that they did their duty.
few years back, when it first became manifest
that corruption had crept into our system that the
pow of the Federal Government were about TO be
used to Cypress and plumber its citizens, that the
Constitution wasin danger, South Carolina, prompt
ed BY her ardent love of the Union, threw herself
solitary and alone into the breach, by the interpo-
sition Of her State sovereignty, to save both the
Constitution and the Union. Yet for this gener-
this self sacrificing act, all the power, patron
age and influence of the Federal Government has
been used brand the actors IN that scene as DIS
unionsts, and their with all the inia-
my which should attach itself TO Hartford Conven-
tionists. But how different the circumstances
under which they acted-how different their mo-
tives. The Hartford Conventionsts attacked the
Government when it was weak, when 1t was en-
gagged in a with foreign power, and when
generous patriotism called upon them to forget
their private griets and rush to the standard OF
their common country. South Carolina bearded
the 'lion in his den," the Douglass in his hall.
We would have established, upon firm and last
ing basis, the principles OF liberty and equality,
upon which our country would have hourlshed for
ever. They, like traitors, would have given assis-
lance TO the enemies OF their country IN the hour
Of its danger,
In future days, the impartial historian, uniniu-
enced by the passions and prejudices which sur
round us, and possessing the advantages OF the de-
yelopments which time IN Its progress Will make as
the effect of that event will record this hated and
derided act of notification the first step towards
the restoration of down trodden liberty; and the
names of Calhoun, of Harper, of Hayne, OF Turn
bull, and of Miller, with all their talents, their pa
triotism, and their virtues, Will have no halo OF
glory encircng them, more brilliant than that
which enshrines their memories IN the hearts OF
liberty, and the fearless advocates of the only re-
medy by which the Union could have been saved.
No; we have never been false To the Union OF our
fathers. Just give Us back that glorious Union
under which Just and equal laws threw their broad
egis over a contented, confding, and happy peo-
pie, will cling il with all the devoted tondness
of child 10 its mothers bosom. But 10 this
Union with tyrants and plunderers we owe no allie
glance for il we have love- under il we will
not live, unless recreant TO all we have here
tofore held dear sacred, to our honor, our lnte-
rest, the example of gallant ancestry, aye, TO the
bright and glorious destiny which awaits US. III
we could have saved the Union we would have done
so. III the South were united, as their common
dangers plead trumpet-tongued they should be, 1t
could bring back the Union To its original purity
and dictate the terms of future security. But as
long these unhappy divisions exist as long as
amongst prominent politicians treason hourishes
and traitors rewarded, the only hope which Is
left lie be derived from bold hearts and strong
arms And II the Union ID 70 be dissolved, las dis
solved il will be- and all the direful consequences
flow from its dissolution which the Inauguration
of have pictured, If with it's downfall the last
expiring shouts of liberty TO be heard, let the
curses OF posterlty light not upon our heads, but
upon the heads of those who might have saved II,
but that they preferred the hopes Of Office even
the promise of filthy lucre, to their allegiance 70
their country, like the " base Judean," who, Tor
thirty pieces of silver sold his fidelity 10 his God
and with il his hope of everlasting salvation.
We have been accused Of rashness-beware that
we suffer not from tameness-lest we thug the de-
/ lusive phantoms of hope until our enemies have
bound Va hand and foot"
With these opinions and feelings, Senators and
Representatives, ! shall deems 1t my duty 10 use
whatever influence my position may give me, to
keep alive that spirit Of resistance which now ami
mates the bosoms Of my countrymen, and 10 carry
| out faithfully and promptly any measures you In
your wisdom may device 10 put the State IN con-
dition OF thorough preparation Tor whatever may
happen. Yet love the cause in which we are en-
gagged too well ~ hazard il by any rashness in
| discretion. And beseech you 10 remember that
we nov actors in one OF the most important
| scenes the world has ever known. We are on the
| eve Of great eyents-events which may not only
decide our fate nation, but the fate OF liberty
| throughout all generations. Every act you com
init IL 20 become part Of history, and Tor veal or
| for wo 10 TO be felt by postcrity. How important,
| then, u IL that no move should be made without
calm deliberaon, and consultation with the visest
| and most prudent Of our land. Although feel
| impatient at delay, yet as We have gone into con
sultaton with sister States Of the South, good
faith demands that should wait the result OF the
| measures suggested by the Nashville Convention.
| We should meet them in the propoeed Congress.
But If all honest epertiCns 70 unite the South
should fail, and South Carolina should stand alone
then. solitary and alone let her throw her banner
| " the breeze, and leave the consequence TO God.
Common interests and common dangers will rally
the other southern States 10 our standard But II
their fatal blindness these interests and dangers
should induce them to Join the standard Of our
my, and their enemy, and they should triumph,
What will they gain by ~ IL will be triumph
should ascend, they must ascend amid the walls
| and grOans Of their own cOuntrymen, whose fate
must sooner or later be theirs
Every effort has been made 10 Isolate our State
and prejudice her in the eyes Of their other south
ststes, by holding out the idea that she wishes
to lead them. But am sure ! speak her uni.
versal sentiment when say that she ia willing 70
follow any Of her gallant sisters that will lead
| OF upon the path Of honor duty. All we AJAX is,
| that in the day and hour Of her danger we may be
assigned place in the picture near the flashing
| Of the guns."
have given you (very imperfectly know my
| views and feelings on this all-mportsnt subject
| ! do not presume 10 direct your councils; nclina-
| ten. well az duty, demand that should carry
! out your high behests. ! owe no allegiance 70
| any power upon earth, except that which owe
| through South Carolina; when she speaks, her
voice must be obeyed Bound 10 her by every tic
| which man holds sacred on earth, seek or desire
other fate than which il 10 be hers. II she s "a
| triumph, (as all her Who have been devoted n
| her cause can do,) claim share in her glory. II
she IL 10 fall, all that desire IL grave upon her
| bosom. All that have and all that ] am, here
| devote 10 her service. And, II for feeling deep
| indignation at her wrongs, and burning desire %
| redress them, am 10 be branded by the minions Of
| power traitor, then be Il 90; | desire more
| glorious cpitaph when dead In conclusion. suffer