The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-03
From the Charleston Mercury.
Letter frssa Gen. Jamss HAMILTON.
TO he People Of South Carolina.

TO the People Of South Carolina.
FELLOW. CITIZENS desire 10 assume The privilege Of
an old public servant, OF addressing you at crisis oil
deep interest," il not OF great peril made, indeed perlous
BY the intense excitement which ervades every portion
and almost every man in our State.
twenty years OF service in the Legislative executive,
and representation Of South Carolina give
me no claim to he heard, because may diner 10 opinion
with large majority oiyou, know not what CLAIM a
man can have to speak, without indeed, he u blessed
with divine sanction am no prophet, but like most
soothsayers scarcely expect TO be honoed even 10 my
own country | know, however, the generosity and
elevation OF your spirit make my appeal 10 your mag
From the solitudes Of this distant and new country.
inst bursting into life under the impulse OF her vast na
raj resources will cherish the hope that my friendly
voice will reach State to myself dear, and TO be
forgotten wherever may roam, and whatever may be
her fate her fortunes, and her dangers. desire 10 give
you some information You may not have at home. |
have travelled through several OF the southern States 10
reach this point have been unwearied in my efforts 10
gauge and estimate public sentiment. knew that South
Carolina was ready for joint or even separate aclon I'M
der honest belief in the wrongs which have been
heaped on the South BY the recent legislation OF Con.
Of the southern States, beyond herself, is prepared
for joint action will take our two nearest neigh
bors North Carolina and Georgia The hrst, with few
signs Of animation has fallen into her accustomed and
refreshing sumber, and content to go and make
her usual amount OF tar and urpentne. Georgia. IN pass
ing owe! her entire width appeared 70 me 10 Dc SINKING
teen cents pound for cotton were powerful contributors
to make civil war and revolution exceedingly dlsasleiu
% nsd she wead hazard hat
markably pacific card, technically called "ot defining
her position Some OF the sronges! friends OF South
Carolina in Georgia told they thought that they might
bless their stars her convention SO far from resisting
these late measures OF Congress- did not lend an anhor
tatve sanction to these measures In her retreat you
may expect she will take the back track and clear at
leap at least nine rails and rider.
The feeling of Alabama is likewise neutralized by the
high price OF cotton Beyond the strong language held
by some of her presses she exhibits all the essential
signs Of undisurbed tranquility. Indeed, IT was quite
doubtful when passed through the State whether SUI
fcent excitement had been manifested to induce The gov
call the Legislature together, whilst no man pre-
tended to doubt, il Were conyoked thai would DO more
than 'nsrch up the Capitol Hill at Montgomery and
The great popularity OF Governor Quitman Of Missis.
spp Davis OF the Senate, and the delegation IRON
that State the House OF Representatives. will induce the
legislature probably 10 sustain the CALL without however,
immediately approaching within shot OF secession
Indeed, OF The largest and most Intelligent planters IN
Mississippi, whom met in New Orleans, informed me
that, although the legislature might be opposed 10 Gen
Fooe yet majority OF the people would certainly sus-
tain HIM. Among the tokens Of the change OF public
sentiment in that Stale may he cited the fact that the late
president of the Nashville Convention l. now the travel
ling companion OF Gen Foote as the missionary apostle
OF aud acQuescence with probably Tue whole OF he
whig party OF that State at his heels.
OF louisiana, what shall say-except that she has
made average sugar CROP IS as good -humoredy ac
quesce in those measures which you think call Tor &C
ton as old Sir Robert Fmer would desire, If he were
alive and is likewise quite prepared when The &C,
cason offers, OF sacrificing OF The most brilliant and
talented representatives she sent 10 the national
Senate, because he stood up the daunless cnivarous
and Incorporating champion OF the South! Such
mans genius, enthusiasm and courage should redeem,
nothing else.
quite well acquainted as am. deem II unnecessary
TO say word in relation to This ancient Common,
wealth. except in reference 10 contingency which shall
IT, therefore, the admission of California, the passage
OF the boundary bill, and tue act restricting the sale o.
slaves within the District Of Columbia, are, one or all OF
Sharr ovn.dh N Ca nlnaf Tho 1gI n
bella jnstfyng dissolution OF the Union think
may be assumed, TACT beyond all dispute, that ma
Jointly Of the people OF not single other southern Stale
concurs with her in this opinion.
Indeed, might have spared my self some good-humored
sarcasm relation these States by simply affirming
that believe, apart from all fear OF the consequences
they ents Eain The opinion thai neither one nor all
the measures to which l have alluded, afford
justification for. disruption OF this confederacy.
II is not the fear oil making myself unpopular al
home that will induce me to declare my own concur
renee in this opinion, however deeply repehend The adj
mission OF California, outrage on every principle OF
justice 10 the other States will now proceed TO state
my reasons Tor that opinion very briefly. but with can
dor which know cannot surpass your own magnanim-
ny and genero.s fobeaance In giving kind and consd.
erae hearing To old public seTvan who hopes he may
veniure without treason, TO der in opinion with you.
Twill begin first with the admission oil California.
This undoubtedly was an act OF injustice TO the slave
States and should have voted against her admission u
had been in Congress But IL was no violation oil the
Constitution OF the United States The power Congress
to admit States into bi. Union limited only by The con-
don thai the people who shall apply Tor such admission
shall adopt republican form OF government. The pro-
baiory transit through territorial orm OF civil poy is no
where prescribed indispensable prerequisite, how,
generally sustained by precedent Texas passed
through no such condition See her case.
Her admission might have been contested with far
lausbiy yet the South triumphed, and secured
stipulation. ngra.ted in the compact providing Tor The
admission OF four slave States, TO be hereafter
carved out OF her territory. The freesoers and sbo-
lonists OF the North called then upon the non slave
holding States 10 secede, under what they were pleased
TO call this outrage These States wise enough 10
be deaf 10 this invocation. All that contend Tor 49, thai
the admission OF Texas furnished lar greater proyoca
ton the North 10 secedc than the admission OF Cali
ornia does TO the South, with the auxiliary spula,ons
incident TO the former.
But Il is said that the adoption OF the inhibition oi
slavery in the constitution OF California was the result
OF an intrigue OF the late President Tal and bis cab
met 10 AVOID the responsibility OF the WllmOt Proviso.
T@ recent testimony furnished by General Riley and
Commodore Jones would seem 10 place the strong DC.
NAL Of this fact by the late President and Mr. King be
You'd dispute. cannot believe that men of honor should
lie at all, but especially without motive But, adj
have furnished justification for his Impeachment; but
il could not have infrnged the constitutional power OF
Congress 10 admit State into the Union, II cav
IT. The truth is, fellow citizens, lost California by
waat OF OF action and enterprise the part
the southern States eaty suggested 10 several dis
tinguished in Two three OF The southern States
that the legislatures OF The sayehoding States ought
each to appropriate bounty iund OF 100000 10 aid
ieants 70 20 TO California. knew without this extra.
ordinary stimulus, were no match Tor the enterprise
OF the northern people We cannot win empires by lying
on our backs and calling on the constitution and Jupiter
to help us II measures are not now adopted by
mint action the southPfu States