The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-22

II south CaroIias.
Inaugural Address pronounced before the General Asssm
ay Of South Carolina By his EIceiieney John II
Senators and Gentlemen OF the
/ House OF Representatives OF South Carolina:
appear before You to qualify for the Office 10 which
must experience the emotions OF pride and qualification
which scene like this would inspire in any heart ye
the loo painful conviction impresses itself upon me
exertions OF old and cherished friendships than 10 any
merit OF my own and should consider myself as an
entirely unworthy recipient OF your kindness, il my
heart did not re-echo with gratitude to its nmos
cesses
The Office which am about to assume is at all times
evenu CRISIS when dangers and difficulties are casting
their dark and gloomy shadows around federal rea-
lions trust that approach i with due sense OF the
nation TO devote all my powers and energies 10 The dis
charge OF s aduons dutss And may 1not indulge the
hope that the kndaess which iadncsd you 10 hs,
support amid the difficult Is that may encompass il
may, no doubt will frequently err, but never Intention
ally, for thank God, bear about heart burning with
Indignation at my countrys wrongs, and which has
known thought, feeling, or emotion higher than that
which beats for the glory. honor. and welfare Of my
Although the office Of chief magistrate is one full Of
responsibility because involves the faithful execu-
ton Of the laws, yett has little or nothing Of patronage
or Of power connected with it, Yet there il degree OF
influence that always belongs 10 high official stations,
which be exerted for good for evil greater or
less extent according TO the capacity for management, in
the incumbent s important, therefore, that the opin-
ions, the purposes and feelings of him upon HON il is
bestowed should be fully known.
From the views have ever entertained OF our internal
policy see but little that would alter amend ndnothng
that would radically change Being under the firm
vicoH that the institutions Of country exercise pow
erfunay. an upon the formation Of
reputation which South Carolina has ever sustained,
come into this oce to the fullest extent and meaning Of
the word, conservative. Although | am not blndly
welded to ancient laws and customs account OF the
sancnty which antiquity may throw around them, yet
when under these laws and customs nation, character
zed by everything that is great or noble has grown and
HOurshed, feel that what experience has shown 10
be the cause of those great results should be pro-
tected from the ruthless hand OF the nnovato and should
ated as time honored monuments OF the wisdom Of
our ancestors. know that by many abroad, who
not appreciate it's character envous OF its tone
pride we feel in our beloved State. Yet he who looks
upon that State as his nursing mother-who, with unal
teng allegiance, is willing TO cling to her destnes Though
veal as well as woes not ashamed 10 thank God that
his lot has been cast amongst her hearted and gen.
erous and that her sunny plains contain the home
around which are clustered the dearest objects of bis
possess shall be honestly devoted to the maintenance Of
our State institutions in their integrity
Inc most important discretionary power which is in
and pardons" Although is proper that This power
should be placed in his hands. that the laws may be
executed in mercy yet i is one 50 liable to abuse and in
very ends OF justice thai the question has grayey suggest
ed itself to the minds OF many whether good evil
abuse has ever arisen from deliberate design 10 peyer
the power or to perpetrate evil but from weak,
though sometimes irresistible yielding to the purest and
hottest sympathes OF nature do not profess TO be
above the railles Of human naturecertanly above
its sympathes; but will be my honest endeavor for.
get the feelings OF the in the discharge of the duties
of the officer, and TO grant pardons in instance where
Dpac q a
where The majesty OF the law might be violated or dis
honored.
see the for satisfaction that in
State institutions. The federal Union is peace
with all the world. lis power and influence are every
where acknowledged its commerce whiiens every sea
yet with all these external signs OF splendor and pros
pery within there sdiscod, dissatisfaction, and discon
tent
Twogreat parties anayed in deadly hostility agan.
each other and what is the cause Of this hostityl 1t
results the part OF the South from knowledge OF the
foul injustice which has been praciised against rom
the insults and injuries which have been heaPed upon il
by government which instituted for its protection,
and TO the support OF which has contributed
than its just proportion-from the Indignation which
every true southern heart must feel, that We called
upon share in all the DANGERS expenses, and prvaons
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
rity OF property; yet our property in danger from no
other power upon the face OF the earth than from that
~
there ever was government, purely constitutional in
its character, which had made such rapid strides in
breaking down every constitutional barrier, and in the
prosration OF the rights and liberties of Its citizens
To prove the truth OF this assertion, need but point
you the acts Of Congress for the last few years He
must be wiliully blind who does not see in them set
lied determination the part of Congress TO break
down the institution of sayeryan institution the pro-
lection OF which is indeibly stamped upon the con-
stitutionan institution with which all our feelings, al
interests nay all our hopes completely blended
that its destruction must carry with i in IFS dreadful
crash the ruin and downfall OF beloved country.
The determination is shown in the manifest disregard OF
the rights OF the STAKEHOLDER under the constitution u ~
shown in the acts which deprive him OF any participation
in the territories upon battle.eds where every
sod is sprnkled by southern blood and where every
tans the corpse OF southern hero, still green and fes
terng with the wounds received while fighting the bat
ties OF common country and in winning that very
soil IL is shown in the indecent haste with which new
States are admitted. that the equilibrium OF the sections
may be destroyed and power given TO carry out its
unjust purposes against u.s. IL is shown IN the open de-
caratons of the aboltonists, whose wild anacism has
conduct OF that class Of politicians who, contrary TO
their convictions of right and justice, and IN direct vlo-
laton OF their solemn oaths TO protect and defend the
constitution swept along before the current OF public
opinion of ther sections like chaf before the wbrl-
wind; il is shown in the undivided public sentiment OF
the North--a public sentiment whose mighty waves for
the last ten years have been moving higher and higher
dashing their foamng crests against very Capitol
but heretofore breaking at its feet These stormy waves,
warmed by no genial sunbeam OF humanity. are fast be-
coming frozen into solid mass, and soon must come
like mighty avalanche torn by the storm from It's Alpine
hills, to crush and bury us beneath their weight
Who can contemplate without shudder the conse-