The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-07-31
IpaoldaA Acs n,l
Extract from MIR, Rhetts Speech in
~ Chaslcston. f.f

Fs16 ChaSleSton..
My friends q . have been nineteen
years Representative Of tho people, and
twelve years member of Congress. Dur.
iiig this time have watched with all the
intelligence possess, the operations of the
Government of the United States. Gwas
no disunionist in 1923 and 1889 / dc.
sired to reform the Government, then ma
Ring in the imposition of the taxes d dc.
parture fromthe Constitution, which woud
inevitably lead, as | thought, and then de-
clarcd. to,a similar departure OH the sub.
jects of slavery. | was sincerely desirous
OF saving the Union by enforcing the Con
stitution, in the strong measures South
Carolina proposed, as any Of those who re-
sisted them. In 1897, went to Washing.
ton as a member Of Congress. and after
witnessing tho operation ofthe Government
for sever years, in 1914, anticipating the
repeal Of the 2lst Rule, by which lurisdc-
tion over the subject Of slavery would be
assumed by Congress. came TO the con.
chisien that it was impossible to reform
the Government, and keep it within the
limitations ofthc Constitution NV person
al relations, as well as sense of duty. in.
duced me eto.conmunicntc nv conclusions
to- Him whowas ever esteemed in South
Carolina as her wisest counsellor and
friend, and by the whole South her ,niuh,i-
est arm Of defence. Hc differed wish ,,c
alrJ still thought that the Cropern,ncn,
could be restored to its integrity bv pron.
er Executive administration. 4, las, how
ever, even he, as devoted Il friend TO- ,bc
Unisn as existed within it's broad limits.
before he. died, despaired, it appears to nc,
OF reforming the Government When he
proposed new guarantees to the Consti,u-
ton, in tic last specc|r he delivered in ,br
Senate Of United States, it was practical
declaration, That the Govcrnmcn, could no,
be reformed, in the usual course of it's nJ-
ADMINISTRATION. The Constitution as admin
lstered, was not enough to protect m,
rights and Liberties of the South. Dcsp,ir.
ing OF any reformation, which will Lripr
'he Governihentb back to the ln,;,a,isns al.
the Constitution, dcspairing of any amend.
mcnts Of The Constitution which will rive
us new guarantees. iscc but ono course
left, for, the peace and salvation of thc
South,--a dissolution Of tic Union.
lhcre arc but two ways under Heaven.
BY which written Constitution, establish.
ing a'i5ec Government, can be Preserved
good taah aud force. Tho former is i'm
piled in all contracts, for without il no con.
8 tracts would be made. Ii our fathers who
entered into the compact, which lii. Con-
stltulion establishes, had forcsceu ,I,c nr,.s-
ent state OF things III tic South, think Won
,ley would ever have made it! Yet. when
has good iatli restrained The North from
any violations OF the Constitution, which
their interest or prcjudices have demand.
Gu! And now, that by the inevitable
course O; things the whole power of tho
Nnion IN Congress is about to be transfer
red to the free States, hopeless OF chanre,
what must be the destiny oI the South IN
tie Union! by skillul use OF he. minor.
'iy power, between the parties al the North
h'ie may loFa few years iynoblv keen off
the catastrophe; but the fate of slave coun.
try, ullder The dominion OF tic free ueoplc
Of our Northern States, is hardly matter
OF doubt, ,ef eculatioIh From the oririn
81 the governmsntsw tswhether from sheer In.
difference to their faith, or acoiyictientbat
they must become tic fixed majority in
the Confederacy, (and therefore that 10
make the Government OF the United States
omnipotent, is TO make themselves o,nnip.
otent in its aflairs) consolidation has been
their policy. "To provide for the common
defence and general welfare is in their view
OF the Constitution, the only lltni,atiou i,
imposes OH Congress. And wla, "ihc
general welfare" of the whole Union re.
luircs, North and South, with respect 10
slavery they have moi hesilatcd to declare.
1t is nuisance to be abatcd--a curse Ia
he cradcatcd-a national sin 10 DC wiped
out and attoned for /! Having usurucI over
II jurisdiction in Congress, the subject of
slavery never again, ! believe, viii dcnor,
from the Councils OF the Union. RllLd
IN one form in Congress, the Nor,I, will
bring It back in another; until the South
weakened, dispiritcd, and degraded, will
YIELD tocmancipation, or Dissolve the Union.
Looking 10 tho past-lookiny to- the, nature
Of lhings-l deem all reliance on, tho. c.,od
faith OF the free States, to protect the IA.
stitutono( slavery in the South. vans and
futile. The South must protect itscii.-
Its force IS powcrless in Congress. and in
the Union, because it is IA lni,.ptlfy. r.,
give to our people that pr.acctio,s a,ni pence
which the Consti,utiot, and Erfiom was a..
tabishcd to secure tic SAnf. she mus,
sever the co,..section With tFs. North.
Ii dissolution Oh tive Uaion IS H. tern
alternative TO subt,issess .ea -n,yc. ,,nnn7
without lultatloar in ts p1Wcrs, il l.au NO,
he improper to glance at its coneeu,icyces
on the physical prosperity Of the Smrh.--
Such consdcras'cats are notnns, To- rh.s nrco,
ends Of liberty and security, btyt fssav won
bo looked TO III view OF adopting fhps al
terimtive.
Is there thcn any thing the Union now
affords, which the South colrId no, as wc,,
possess without it III the taxes imposed
and expended, VIC Viii i. free. Onc.,hird
the rate Of duty We now payon The chief
articles of our imports, by the tariff of The
Union, viii be amply sufficient for the wants
Of Government, whilst ali revenue from
taxation viii be spent within oursclvcs.--
The voice OF insult and accusation, ns,i-
eating insurccl!on within our borders.
will be husl.cd. BY our physical power.
We can protect ourselves against iorci~n
nations: whilst by our productions we can
command their peace or support. The
Keys Of their wealth and commerce are in
our hands, which we will freely offer to
them, Ivy # System oil free trade, making
our prosperity their irintcrcsts-our security
their care. The lingering or dccayinr
cities Of the South. which before our rcvo.
luton, carric,l 0is all their forcjpn com