Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-03-26

January Gen. Houston addressed letter 10 John Le,cber
ESQ, on The present attitude -four national and sectional
affairs which he spoke fully of the course ofSouth Car
DINA. Gen. Hamton of that State, whose ale letter
Mr.. Cheves attended to by Gen. Houston, warmly
took up the cudgels, and published long reply, dated Bos
ton, Feb 22nd. He euuzes the people Of South Caro-
lima in high Terms, speaks Of their nob, blood having
sprung from the Huguenots and Cavaiers,-,hei hered
tary glory, their revolutionary services &C. Gen. Hous-
toms reonder is peculiarly acy, as the following extracts
will show
No nan-nos even Yourself enierains more profound
resnect for the great revolutionary heroes and services of
The State of South Carona, than do Her Marons her
Sumles and her Haynes, with thousand other less dis
tnoushed but not less deserving, have venerated from
boyhood as the companions and co-laborers of Wash
ngtUn and shall despse myself when cease 10 honor
their memories and feel grateful for their patriotic devo
ta,ion TO the cause of their country Many of her gallant
sons too are entitled 10 all the credit you claim for them
in the wars of 1912 and with Mexico. She has produced
statesmen also of the most eminent worth. Of all men in
the world trust shall be the last who would pluck leaf
from the aures that adon the brows OF either her
men or her warriors. No, God forbid hope they NAV
flourish more luxureny time hallows their proud
Names in the Pantheon Of their countrys benefactors
But this is not the point issue between u.s. 1t is whether
South Carolina has not been, ever since the days of u
caon, uneasy, complaining and seeking for pretexs on
Union Has she played the part Of vixen in this con
federacy for the last twenty years. What great measures
otpnbc policy has she supported? What hs9AHss& q
opposed Sho has, il is true, been in The Union, que
nyi of IT, She has seduiousiy nsealcaed The notion il
the federal CONSTITUTION is CALLING yoke thai becom-
ing too geyos bear, and that she is ''bding her ne
to cast il indignantly off, and annnl the bargain. This
is her position this has been her Such the
invaabe line of policy adopted by Mr. Calhoun and while
he lived he and South Carolina was synonymous. lie
never rose speak in the Senate in any other strain than
that of Recommendation prophetic ruin. make these re-
marks in no spirit OF hostility but far more in surruw than
in anger" lie sleeps with his fathers; would tread
lightly on his grave but his public part Of The
history of his country. As such speak Of them and
hope without offence.
do no Of course object TO your historical derivation of
the "nube breed" of the people of South Carolina The
"Hngueno,s and Cavaliers doubt spirited and
high melted OF men, in both lines of descent and
would he likely TO leave the impress of their characters upon
their children. Sill less disguised dispute the act
stated by you that there good deal in the blood of men
as well of horses but you know well as do, that al
must as much depends On training as blood YOn might
have red Flying Childers Eclipse Tor dray horse
and what Thea would have been his chance for mIlual
iy ia The annals of the turf? Men may degenerate or
misapply their talents and their energies To bad ues-
They have hitherto shamed their mothers. Even tie
piring blood Of Lancaster has sunk into the ground and
50 may it he in South Carolina. fear she has seen the
lag, of her Romans The Grants, that gave dignity
and influence her nam-ihe Pickueys. the LaureIses
and the I.owuss-where they Echo answers,
where We ask for their successors and direct,
ed 10 the tum5s Of those departed Hugueno,s and Cava-
Tiers" Yes, the race of such men in South Carolina is
extinct
might inquire, if were disposed to be queruous in
what respect The first settlers of South Carolina were su-
peror 10 those of Virginia Georgia, Maryland Penn
syyania North Carolina or the Purtsns of New Eng
I land Were they wiser patriotic, or religious p
Did thew display greater wisdom founding their govern
ment or higher galanry in defending it from savage or
civilized aggresson2 Where are the nobe monuments Of
their arts and sciences, of their political foresight, of their
courage and c0nstancy in the OF freedOm would
raise none above them but by what right do you argate
this preference of genebood' in their behalf? "Y0u say
you better than ~, exclaimed rough old hero proDe
it," This will be the of every American to this
South Carolina eXaaion. You speak Of the battles oil the
Cowpens, Eutaw and Camden, as if all the gnry belong
ed exclusively to South Carolina. She deserved we'll
But did not the skill and bravery Of Virgin ans, and Ma
ryanders and zens of other States shine brightly
there as her own2 Did their blood flow as freely p
Aud when South Carolina crushed and overrun by the in
silent foe, was struggling in his grasp, did the brave
men of the other States rush to her rescue ard nerve the
hearts aud strengthen the arms of her ciyaous sons
to redeem her from the vassaiage of the Rawdons and the
Tarieions and British tyranny? And do YOU nrget or
suppress these robe recol!econs? While you invoke
justice for South Carolina you should render II in return
These descendants Of the Huguenos and Cavaliers have
peculiar notions of lreedom-preclseIy the notions that
would fit them for snug little monarchy, if they could
nutv the laws and constitution of the federal government,
or secede from the cOnederacy. This state U things clear
" proves that of all men in the world the good people Of
the Palmetto State are the best adapted faction and dis
cord. The legislative body is omnpoen 1t can do very
much as i, peases and hence where few be
suited action is speedy and united man who enjoys
their confidence and who possesses ability, ambition and
energy sway and direct them with absolute certain
" as the Emperor Nicholas can his ministers. Such a
man is in fact dictator to all intents and purposes and
can say as the French monarch did 81 am The State"
do not know that any such lives South Carolina.
There NAV be many aspans for the honor there
arm left that ''wied the sword Of Richard" The
hope of the nation 49, that these candidates for the dcta
torshp will prove check upon each other and use in mu
ua bos the daggers they were ready 10 aim at the heart
ofthe federal Union.
agree with you likewise that the Union cannot be pre-
served by singing hosannas the Union, if the principles
of the constitution be violated ard dsregarded. 10 pre-
serve the Union we adhere the federal constitution
in its true design and spirit We must regard 1t not as
sword be used against any, but as shield to guard the
rights of all To attain this end the great purpose OF
its founders, and venus, purify ii, to maintain it, by fire
taken from the altar erected by their hands, Slight differ
encts Of opinion upon lis construction ought not O be allow
ed weaken debase the instrument llse IN the eyes OF
the people. 1t should not be lightly and tppanty de-
nounced and Clsparaged 10 be laVpre system
with the South Carolina school of political regenealors-
This evinces bad il does want Of patriotism
Men who pursue this course, may be honest, but 1t is
species Of honesty far removed from Let me
conclusion General that you inerror you
suppose that South Carolina has inherited any keen in
siinc,s" of pride" pubc spirit" "honor courage,
that now place her in advance Of her southern conedcr
s,es'' In all these high qualities, they her peers
You must look for different Of influences from these,
TO account for her present position.
The foregoing remarks in This communication afford a
partial explanation. Il, not for to predict whether
your gallant State will advance boldly or reiire graceful
y or whether her banner shall be borne aft oweTed
these grave considerations you and The resi- OF her
sons Blu, will hazard this opinion, that the child has not
yet been born in South Carolina whose eyes will be-
hold any other banner than that of the glorious stars and