Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-02-01
[CoMMuNrcArED,l
PENDLEToN, Jan. 3Oth, 81.

PENDLEToN, Jan. 3Oth, 81,
Mr. EDIToR -.
must ask the privilege through your
columns, to express my acknowledgements
to the citizens who composed the pubic
meeting at Anderson, for the honor of hav-
ing recommended me, among others, ms n
candidate for the State Convention. Tt is
the more prided from the fact that il was
entirely unsought for and unsolicited on
my part, and mostuneSpectcdiy conferred.
Whether it will be confirmed will depend
on the will of the people and the result of
the election. If | should be selected and
thought worthy of that high and response
bile station, it will be my pleasure and my
duty 10 carry out as far as will be in nv
power the feelings and opinions Of those
whom may be called on to represent. so
fully and rereatedly expressed and clear
ly defined, in relation To our rights-our
wrongs-and the remedy.
1t is well known that there is n diversity
of opinion as to the course South Carolina
ought to take in relation to our difficulties
with the General Government. Some, and
trust large majority, are in favor of sep
arate State action when the proper time
comes, while others are only in favor of ac
ton in conjunction and cooperation with
some other of the Southern States and per-
haps there are others who are looking TO
the action of Congress, to renew their at
tack on the institution of slavery. and there
by knock the last plank from under us and
drive us ei her into the most abiect submis.
sion, or into open, bold, and manly resist
al,
which divided the members of our late Ley
stature and Which are now dividing the
people of the State. on the happening of
which the action Of the State is TO be predi.
Gated.
AS it is question of principle purely and
not OF expedicncy,- ii is n great struggle
for liberty and equality and Constitutional
right, cannot see how a diversity of opin
ion can he entertained In the great strug,
giles for liberty which history has recorded,
neither the amount involved, nor the anprc-
hen'ions OF the consequences, governed
those who were the first movers Of rcvou-
ton. 1t was not the epitiful amount of ship
money, nor the fcNrs Of powerful mon
arch, which nervcd the soul of John Hamo
den, and which resulted in the establish
ment of English liberty and BROUGHT that
proud monarch to the block it was not Che
tax of two-pence lb. on tens or The Stamp
duty which caused the opposition to British
taxation and resulted in our glorio IS nde-
pendence, In both instances it was the
right to tax that was disputed and resisted.
1t was high anc holy regard to principle
which actuatcd and stimulated the opposi-
tNylNI, I,,I, Il al ~ =
taking and enobled the actors in the scene.
1t was this devotion to principle which
brought up from the common walks of life
the men of cur rrevolution-thoses statesmen,
orators and heroes, whose fame and exam
pie should serve as a beacon light to direct
our course in similar struggle If these
principles are regarded If those bright OK
amples are followed, how with ten. fold
greater weight Of oppression and with the
madness of fanaticism which threaten our
institutions, can we, for one moment, hesi.
taie as to the course which South Carolina
ought 10 take? Let us not count the cost
nor fear the consequences, when our dearest
rights have been trAmpled on. and when
the Constitution which was intended TO give
us protection and security, is perverted and
disregarded
AS the Convention Is intended to be the
embodiment ofpublic opinipn--as the State
of South Carolina will then speak in her
highest sovereign capacity, it is important
that the feelings and opinions of those who
shall represent her, should be well ascertain.
ed and fully expressed, And when that
Convention shall assemble, / hope your del
s,.l ,,... l.. 4