The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-03

osases, by hef own vols, ii she had consented ior
PIES
This, General Houston, is the fourth item in
the history Of this confederacy, to the credit of
South Carolina.
from this period to the war of 1912, her ma
tlonal'ty and loyalty to the Union were as con
spcuous A. the ability and GENIUS of her repre-
sentafves were resplendent in sustaining il
Although We had scarcely seaman to be im-
pressed, or a ship to be molesied on the ocean
by Great Britain, we went in for the national
honor OF the country, with unprecedented gal
iantry, which was staked on that war; No ac-
cursed b'ue-light made night hideous" on our
coast-our treasury was poured into the ex-
nausted treasury Of the Union. and our sons
Died on the sea, and on almost every battlefield
on the land
This is the 9Th item, General Houston, in the
history OF thisconfederacy to the credit of South
Carolina.
Alter the termination of this war, her loyal
attachment to the Union continued without
abatement. Great as was her interest in free
trade, she opposed reduction of the revenue
duties, as she was not DESTROYS of breaking down
the industry Of the Northern States where large
Investments had been made ia manufactures,
under the encouragement and stimulus that war
had afforded. Her generous concessions were
converted into an absolute right, on the part of
Needless majority, to shackle the entire in
dustry Of the country by a system of monopoly
and restriction as odious as it was tyrannical
need not recite to you the steps by which this
monstrous system Of injustice at last reached it's
detsstabe maximum of patriotism, in the tariff
Of 1928. South Coroliua, single handed, struck
for the freedom of the industry of the whole
country. No base slaLderer shall rob us of the
glory Of this victory, The odious tariff was re-
Peaied, and solemn pledge was given to the
people of the South that the duties should be
hereafter levied for revenue, and not for protec-
ton, although the latter might be incidentally
promoted.
This, General Houston, is the sixth glorious
item to the credit of South Carolina, in the his
tory Of this confedcracy
After this triumph, accorded in a spirit Of so
much justice and amity by majority of both
branches of Congress- South Carolina returned
to the track of her old loyalty to the Union
but unfortunately, it was but temporary truce.
A gang Of unprincipled demagogues, in com
parison with whom Cataline and Cethagus were
patriots and no est men, made the discovery that,
by agitating on the subject of slavery as a ques-
ti0n OF political power the could summon TO
their aid the influence of the pulpit, and light
the fires OF funaticism which would give them
control over the government OF the Union,
even L that Union lost in the conf1agration
they mad kindled. Ia the darkness OF this night.
did South Carolina ascend the watch-tower, and
treacherousIy call out that "all was well" when
we were in the midst of this peril ? No. She
met it ut the threshold she denounced the out
rage, and demonstrated at once the violation of
that compact by which the rights of the slave.
holding States were guaranteed. She brought
into this discussion an august intellect, which is
now hushed in the repose of death. No man
could meet the mighty argument which no enun-
ciated, and reason was triumphant where even
prejudice csuld not be subdued | maintain,
fearless of contradiction, however deeply de-
pore he present excitement in South Carolina,
that the reaction which has taken place in the
notwithstanding States, on the subject of
slxvery--the SCOTS and shouts of execration
which are lavshed upon the WiImot Proviso,
and all the f rago OF an atrocious fanaticism-
are to be attributed to the attitude which she
early assumed in this controversy. The Will
mots have fallen 80 low that there is no news
boy, even in the streets of Washington, who
would now do them reverence.
This, Gen; Houston, is the seventh item to the
credit of South Carolina, in the history of this
confederacy.
Now, as one of her sons, think South Caro-
lima should pause here. Let her rest upon her
arms. She has won honor enough.
Although the violation of the great compact
on the subject of slavery, stipulated and affirmed
in the celebrated Missouri Compromise, has been
grossly and fagrantly violated in the territory
of California, yet it is enough that vast major
ity of the people of the other Southern States
have acquiesced in this wrong, to induce South
Carolina to submit to what seems to come with
something of the force Of a moral necessity
Between avenging an outrage of this kind, and
the responsibility of precipitating the country
into civil war, ! think no prudent man would
long hesitate IN his election. cannot resist the
temptation of here adopting the language Of one
of the most beautiful and philosophical of mod
crn authors, who says, and justly says:-"That
in revolutions, as in all human movements, there
are certain ethical conditions, as well as pruden-
tial ones, which true men and wise men will al
ways respect. War has its morals as well as
peace moreover as war is of all controversies
the most affecting, as it is that which involves in
nocent parties who have had no part in bringing
it about, who yet may suffer the worst of its
consequences, it should be the last, as it should
be the most solemn, Of human resolves
hope that my countrymen, before they make
this solemn resolve, will bring home to their bo-
sons at once the balm and charity of these
truths When, therefore, invited, in letter
which addressed to Mr.. Cheyes from Texas, the
interpositon Of Virginia, ] looked to the pre-
eminen, probability, if she invoked convention
of all the Southern States at her capital, consti-
tuted under the authorized forms of their respec-
tive constitutions, that specific solution Of the
whole controversy might be achieved, Or il this
was impossible (which did not deem probable
under any contingencies dissolution might
be consummated without the CONFUSION OF n
civil war, which the separate secession of one or
rIore Of the States might intiict on the country.
l do not shrink un Ter your rebuke, from the re-
sponsiblty Of this recommendation. ! believe
it to be wise, pacific and considern:e. What South
Caroliua could not do for the want of influence,
Virginia might accomplish with great potency
and eject. If she does not now consider her
honor, and the honor of the entire South, as
staked on the good faith with which the Fugi-
tive slave law is to be enforced in the non-save-
holding States---if, on this point, she is not pre-
pared to cavil :" for the ninety -ninth part of a
hair no must have made II her mind tn All r