The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-11
THE REPUBLIC.


them. repeat that, to my knowledge. both G enera
jackson and Mr. Polk had the same difficulties ant
yielded with much reluctance TO what appeared
necessity not depending on their action.
And as a mere question ofexpediency, tits wholly
useless to prolong the regular time OF stting by the
addition OF half day or whole day, or any mum.
Der OF days, because whatever time you fix it will
md US Just as unprcpared as any other period
would, and We quite likely to be ready ut
the regular constitutional time, midnight, as we
shall be at the senatorial time, midday. We shall
prepare ourselves for the other, we find
either is inflexibe.
One other word. This is small game, very
small. Here is prominent organ of a great Adj
mlnistraton, acting under their eyes, do not be
heve the Administration desires such small attacks
as these will not do them that injustice. But what
do not believe, thousands aud hundreds Of thou
sands through the country, who do not know the
men that compose the Cabinet as well as do, viii
it. They will not doubt that it ia attack
not ON mel am nothing-but intended to injurt
the great Democratic party with whose confidence
have been honored on one occasion, and which
mean to go down to my grave without violating
This Administration has placed itself high in the
great work Of pacifying the country and they have
received the need of appreciation from political
friends and political foes. ! pattake OF the same
sentiment. do them Justice But am Demo
crat. have passed my life as a Democrat, and
God willing, mean TO die one. This ia q Whie
Administration, but that is no reason should not
do them justice, and do it with pleasure, in this
great matter Of the salvation Of this country, il
may 50 say. have done SO, and shall continue tC
do 80, whatever sneers their papers may contain
for do 1t not for their sakes, but for the sake Of
truth and the country.
Mr.. President, it is not with any view to attack
them, or to conciliate them, that make these re-
marks; for upon all the party issues we as far
asunder as ever. But do not wish to have my
views misreprescnted upon this subject, In jour-
nal thus situated, without contradictions; for these
views are as plain the words of General jackson
can make them, and he that can find palmer than
were employed in his message, let them be pro-
duced.
AS to noise and confusion, observed before,
can never advert to this absurd charge without
laughter. l am sure the Senate will do me the
justce-I am sure my friend from North Carolina,
(Mr BADaER,) whom am proud to call my friend,
will do me the justice to say, have never alluded
to II but in the very best humor
Mr.. BADGER. do, fully and entirely.
Mr.. CASS. think the Senator from New
Hampshire, (Mr. HALE,) to whom also ! feel
friendly, notwithstanding he is the wrong side,
very much on the wrong sido will do me the same
justice; for he and have exhibited an equal por-
ton of good humor in these cases of suffering.
That Is about all have to say. leave the matter.
satisfied with the silent evidence furnished by the
Senate, and bid goodbye to noise and confusion.
One word more Any editor of paper who be-
licycs what is here said is unfit for his position for
the want of mental qualification. If he does not
believe it, and yet asserts it, he is unfit for the want
of moral qualifications. Whether il is one both,
either, in which he s deficient, have no wish to
ascert tain.
ANOTHER PERSONAL ExPLANATIoN-oEN. HOUSTON
AND SOUTH CAROLINA
Mr.. RHETT said that in the Union of yesterday
there was published letter, written by member
of the Senate, in which there several CHROME
Gus statements made with regard to the State OF
South Carolina, which he wished to correct in order
that the correction might find its way to the
try through the same medium. The errors were
contained in the following part of the letter
:" here is one significant fact, which should be
stated in speaking of South Carolina, that throws
flood of light her political character and insttu-
TONS That is this: Her constitution is obviously
| fashioned upon aristocratic model. Tho people,
as such, have very little control of affairs. No
man can vote who does not own fifty acres of land
or the equivalent, or pay high tax. No man can
be member of the Legislature whose freehold is
not worth one hundred and fifty pounds sterling
clear of debt, or be the governor with less than
fifteen hundred pounds sterling free of debt. The
elections are all confined to members of the Legis-
lature. That body elects or appoints all the Off
cers of any grade, from the governor down to the
sherifis and parish Judges. The Legislature elects
the Senators of the United States, electors for Pre-
sdent and Vice President of the United States, and
can change or amend the constitution when it secs
fit. The government is a complete oligarchy-even
more than in Rhode leland under its royal char
ter. One OF two facts must be cvidenti the people
have no genuine spirit of freedom, or they would
not have submitted SO long to this oppressive do
mnion of mere wealth. In no other State would
it have been tolerated SO tamely. In Rhode Island
they have turned when trodden upon, but in South
Carolina they seem to wear their chans without a
murmur.',
He desired to say that these statements were
wholly untrue. That mo man vote who does
not own fifty acres of land, or tho equivalent, or
pay high tax" was untrue for forty years or
more there had been universal suffrage in South
Carolina. That "no man can be a member of the
Legislature whose freehold is not worth one hun
dred and fifty pounds sterling, clear of debt" is
partly true and partly untrue. The law was, that
if he the owner Of freehold. or of ten slaves
he may be eligible to seat in the Legislature.
That "the elections are all confined to members Of
the Legislature was untrue.
The statement that the Legislature selects or APP
points all the officers of any grade, from the gov
ernor down to the sherifs and parish judges" was
untrue the shcrifrs and all district officers were
elected directly by the people. That "the Legis-
laturc elected the Senators of the United States
was true, and that indeed most astonishing
evidence of the existence Of an oligarchy in South
Carolina. It was equally true that the Legislature
chosc the Presidential electors; but such was the
course adopted at one time by all the States, and
such, at the time of the formation Of the Constiu-
ton, was generally supposed to be the proper
mode. In this, then, there was hardly any thing
which could SAVIOR Of an oligarchy.
The statement that the Legislature can "changc
or amend the constitution when it fit" would
seem to imply that this can be done by majority
of the Legislature. He read from the constitution
of the State to show that to amend the constitu-
ton requires concurrent vote by two thirds of the
members of each House of the Legislature. He
thought il was time to put this systema.ic detrac-
thought the Senator from Texas had had sufficient
opportunities to have ascertained the truth of this
matter before indulging in structures and condem-
nation upon South Carolina.
Mr.. BUTLER said that he had set the Senator
from Texas right on this subject before.
MIR. RHETf thought this dcnunciation of South
Carolina came with a bad grace from State which
but the other day had become State South Car
olina had done much for Texas; she had fought
among the first for her, and had supported her to
the last.
Mr.. HOUSTON was ready, at any time, to re-
spond TO any thing said which called for expla-
nation by him. If he had committed any error
with regard to the laws and Constitution Of South
Carolina, it must have been the result of hurry of
business. and Of his having inadvertently laid his
hand wrong copy of the constitution, which
had been amended several times.
Mr.. II. stated that it was obvious that he had
made no intentional error. He then explained
that for some time he had been target 70 certain
politicians in South Carolina to aim their shafts
at Ever since his vote on the Oregon bill he had
been denounced by them. And before that, and
during the Texan revolution, the Governor of
South Carolina had denounced him and his com
panions as outlaws, and as men unworthy of the
sympathy Of the American people. He disclaimed