Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-22
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
AFFAIRS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

larger part seem TO be favorable to any revolution
which shall distinguish them yet more than they
ARE now distinguished from the mass of the Peo-
~ple-who are not blinded to the future, but have
the sagacity to realize and the manliness to dis
-close to the People the dangers which environ
them, and the fatal wreck to which the leaders of
the Revelation are hurrying every interest of the
! State of South Carolina Among these honorable
exceptions may cite, illustrating the virtues
of his race and the pristine character of the gentle
men of Carolina, the example and the conduct Of
JOEL r. PoINsETT. Laboring under i'll health, and
unable 10 attend public meetings, he has yet not
been unmindful of his duty as Christian, Phi
lanthropist, and Republican. We have before
us, in the " Winyah Observer of the 5th instant,
Letter written by that gentleman as long ago as
the 9TH of last month to friend, by whom it was
read on the day following at Public Meeting in
that District but which is only now, after months
interval, allowed to meet the public eye, and now
only upon the Editors own avowal Of the belief
that nothing which Mr.. Ponsett could say or do
would have any influence on the People of the
South y and his further belief that the Letter
will be treated by the papers in the State with
can be said against it." The Editor himself has
nothing 10 reply to it; none of his fellowdsunon-
lists will attempt to answer it; and, though he
has been obliged by some compunctious visitation
to comply with promise to publish it, he dare not
send i. out from his press without an injunction to
his contemporaries TO be as mum as himself on
the subject. How terrible must be the truth to
these Disunionists, when they not only dare not
face it themselves, but call upon others to suppress
it, as the readiest, and, certainly for them, the
scisest way of answering it.
Some of the truths of this letter entirely too
important, however, 10 be confined TO the vicnage
OF the paper in which we find them. 1t shall not
be our fault if they have not circulation, to GER
tain extent at least, in every State and Territory of
the Union.
The following extracts from that Letter, there
fore, we present to readers, as being full of wis
dom and instruction. and deserving of their whole
attention.
EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER OF ]. R. PoINsETT
TO COL. D. L. M'KAY, OF GEORGETOWN, (s.c.)
"DEAR SIR was much graifed to find, by the notice
you of the call Of public meeting Of the Of
the General Government that the vigilance Of portion Of
eowcizens had length been aroused by the
binary of Legislature. should have been glad TO
have heard the explanations Of Representatives only
the object of the Convention, and their for
creang taxes but learn whether they supposed that
their constituents, when they elected them to make laws to
promote the prosperity of the State, intended to confer
them the dangerous po,cer Of initiating revolutionary
Increment too likely 10 terminate in its ruin have every
disposition do justice Representatives, and regret
therefore, my inability TO assist at the meeting"
81 studied the proceedings of Legislature during its
last session with earnest socude bu. failed to find there
explanations for what proposed to be DONE
only the expression of ereed feelings passionate dee
nation, and oregoae conclusions, all tending to revolution
seceson eaceabt or jare6k, in conjunction with other
States. slone short, fixed determination hurry the
State into the fearful position il occupies And what
the assigned for calculated alter the
foundations Of Government and the desnies of peo
pie Not the admission of California, for that is fat
coph California is become State, and act Of ours
can i've her Of the Union. She is, however, a
reign Stale, free follow the dictates Of her own interests
aud may introduce slaves work her Mines if she thinks
proper so to do"
Nor the arrangement entered into between Texas
and the General Government be regarded aordng any
color for these Texas the party concerned
accepted the offers Of Government with unexamped unani
nifty and that have longer any cause of
complaint The suppression Of the slave market in Wash
ing,on furnishes for violence 1t purely
ncpa regulation, uncaed for by The circumstances.
We then, about to commence revolutionary be-
apprehend aggression This would certainly be
mos; unheard-of proceeding.
"Du told no revolution is contemplated. South
Carolina, in conjunction with other slave States or alone
merely intends peaceaby secede from the Unon have
looked in for any sanction Of this right by the early
FOUNDERS Of Cons.uton II advocated indeed ad
vanced by none and expressly repuda,ed by the wse and
best Of the Of that epoc, Such doctrine would
have defeated the end and aim Of the Constitution which
form perfect and permanent Union than existed
under the old Confederation II preposterous to
suppose single possess constitutional right
cede from the Union whenever may think proper do o
without regard 10 the injury such might nact upon
the other States The old and wel-consdered maxim of
common law applies to States well tondviduals" Sic
uters tuout aienu das" Make use Of what is your
own such not to pjure another As well might
Il be cohiended that has FIRE bis house
because he is dissatisfied with II he were 50 advised
however, as to exercise this abstract right his pro-
perry in the midst Of city, be would be regarded as vo-
istor Of the law and be consigned punishment for the
crime OF arson And what comparison is there 10 tke de-
gree OF crime between the conAagaon Of the opulent
city in the universe and the overthrow Of this great republic
the seat oil freedom, the hope OF the world the of