Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-03-27

is now source Of much anxiety with the
conservative portion Of the nation, the
precise doctrine of the South Carolina
School Of S,ate.Rights men, Of whom MIR.
Rhett may be looked upon Us the leader,
cannot fail to be OF interest to those who
feel sol'citude about our national affairs.
Mr.. Rheit declares to he unconstitutional
the acts of 1893 and 1850, for the recovery
Of Fugitive Slaves; contends that the mat
ter should be- left TO State legislation aud
that any interference by Congress is usur.
patton. He ridcu!es the decisions OF the
Supreme Court, and is willing to allow ho
force to the precedents established b!
Cnnoress, or the coincident and long settled
construction by Tue puUIrr. Wnal aIio-
gance in man who cannot claim to occupy
the most exalted position, either as u states
man, or Constitutional aw!erl The
rankes. smelling, blood red Aboltionists,
could not advance doctrines more adverse
Fugitive Slave Law" is no law, and ought
to be repealed, is their very doctrine.
South Carolina principles or policy, may
be summed up in a very few words - to
quarrel with the General Government upon
any pretext, and about everything. She
mediates secession; bu, she canno, go out
Of the Union peaceabIy; the known views
and past acts of the Administration pre-.
c'ude the anticipation that any distinction
will be drawn between secession and rebel
lion. She must 90 alone, if at all Tor a
conservative feeling at present prevails in
all the Sou thern States, except South Car
DINA. They all feel. u, well as that State,
that the institution Of slavery is inextrcably
intel woven with the social system of the
South, and cannot be suddenly removed
without violence, attended and followed by
the most appalling calami,ies. They also
deprecate the impertinent interference OF
the North, whom the institution affects in
no way. But while majority OF the
North. and majority of the nation, respect
Southern rights, they do no, see suflicen,
cause for raising hand to overthrow the
Union. Abolition societies, Abolition,
speech makers, and Abolition presses, are
evils, bu Dangerous Qply. wten 4! they sha!
and carrying that sentiment into the halls
I. OF the Supreme Legislature, pass laws over.
riding Southern interests, aud n,an,fes,ly
destructive of Southern rights. The South
would not bear tyranny and oppression
from sectional majority - such, for in
stance as abolition of slavery within the
States. But that time has not come, and
it is folly to anticipate what i, is imp obabls
will ever happen. 1t is to the Supreme
Court South Carolina should appeal, and to
The Supreme Court more temperate States
will appeal dsierring armed resistance
until national affairs shall come to such
condition, that in the sober judgment of
mankind, civil war will be choice OF evils.
We believe that time will never come to
this nation.
Bu' here is Mr.. Rhet,'s speech. In our
next We will give Mr. Clay's answer, which
places all parties in their proper position.
The dressing he gives Mr. Rhett and his
CO. worker in iniqui,y, Mr.. Chase, is no less
piquant than it is deserved.
um Statt-righ.s lnau. Ever since hsv,
oeen IN public HE have sndssvor~d to oarrv
nut tho plain aud simple meaning Of tho con.u
'ulIoh Of the United Ststss. I abhor coDs,rnc-
''"ns. They are subtsrfusss Of Dishonesty, bv
which the mssniug Of the constitution 10 per
vs'ted. and the constitution itself virtually o.
veTthrown. With 80 sub,ls an instrument 70,
constituting the meaning Of words Is the human
m'"c' with the passions and Interests which
'vsFn men, there 10 but one way to preserve y
written constitution, aud that 1. 10 administer il
according :" It, strict and simple pnrpor;. From
'hs time ! commsncsd public life, I have en-
dsav"red to pursue this oo,irss. and il | have
ever departed from It by any vote Of mine in
Congress. ! am totally UNCONSCIOUS of il. Nov
let 10 look into the constitution. There ere
Nv" wsy' OF getting 81 what the meaning of IN.
constitution 10. All Senators, on both side, I
believe, will grant that whom ws take up IN.
CONSTITUTING Of tho United Statss We take u o an
sgRrrgntr Of grants. The constitution 4, :ot i.
'h'ng oi Itself !, is not ssl: exis,snt Il ws.
mad" ny The people Of III. S,s,ss, sud thew dss
en''rd IN III It contribution the particular grant,
81 p""tr they conveyed, rssrr,ing 10 th.p
selves OIL p"wSrs MT granted. Then when va
'""k to the constitution to know whether AMI
power 10 contained therein, W. must first LOOK
~ the distinct sDrcific atnos or ,,o,,.. ..l =