The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08
Governor Troup's Letter,
To The Committee of Invitations 10 Columbia
DirDor

" e .
Governor Troup's Letter,
To The Committee Of Invitations 10 Columbia
Dinner
LAURENs COUNTY, Ca, Sept 2Ist, 1851.
GENTLEMEN Accept my thanks for your po-
Columbia, directed to Milledgeville II did not
reach me until last mail Whether with you on
that interesting occasion or not, you have my
best wishes for the results of the wise cornsels
and patriotic efforts which you cannot fail to car
ry to the discussion of the topics of the day;
they are of first Importance to the whole nation.
Whatever the people of South Carolina in
convention shall resolve for their safety, inter-
est, and happiness, will be right, and none will
have the rights to question it. You can change
your own government at pleasure, and therefore
you Can throw off the government of the Union
whenever the same safety, interest, and haPpi.
ness require il. If ambition and aVaripe shall
make Of the federal government CURSE and the
States are to be held to it against their will, our
condition differs in nothing from the old Prov
ince of Turkey or Persia. The many-headed
tyrant, in the hahitua violation of the Constitu-
ton, vaunts his love of Union as if ready to
make burnt offering of his looms and spindles
upon the altar of that Union, yet not one jot of
concession is made to the prayers and entfeaties
which, if offered to the Throne of Grace would
be received graciously, and answered fayorably-
The cormorant who fastens and fattens on our
substance may not release his hold so long as
we are the willing subjects of his remorseless
passion.
But do not utterly despair--ths American
people will see that the Constitution and the
Union can only be preserved by the return to
honesty and Justice. II is impossible that we can
be wrong-ours is the cause of liberty --of free
dom Of industry-of the exercise of the facul
ties of mind and of body for all purposes merely
innocent without governmental Interference;
opposed to restraints, and prohibitions, and mo-
nopolies In every form. IF, contrary to the ex-
pectation, the existing systems shall become the
fixed and settled policy of the country, the
Southern States must withdraw from the CON-
federacy, cost what it may. No evil Is to be
more dreaded than power In the general gov
eminent, to regulate industry power that
cannot with safety be confded to any govern
ment but with the most guarded limitations
direct taxes for the encouragement of manufac-
lures would not hsve been paid for single
year. The FIVE cents a yard on our cotton
bagging levied for the express purpose Of en-.
abling the Western States to supply the article
on their own te ms, when the proceeds were to
make roads and canals for the same States,
would have been opposed with spirit not easily
allayed They have been borne only because
being indirect they are unseen, and because
portion Of the evil may be avoided by non.con
sumption of those articles which are not of first
necessity. There cannot be greater fallacy
than that the Union is TO be preserved by a
power in the general government TO coerce the
States. The existence Of sovereignty excludes
the idea Of force. Ours is government Of
opinion, of consent Of voluntary association
! the only guarantee for Union is justice. JUS
tice secures good feeling, fidelity, and affection,
and nothing but justice can secure them. or
what value is the Union which Is formed Of un-
willing and reluctant members, who but for the
sword suspended over their head, would fly of
| from the common centre, as from a fierce and
consumg fire, which burns only TO Destroy
The Constitution, administered according TO
It's letter and spirit, can dispense nothing but
iustice; and the character Of the American peo.
pie Is sufficient warranty that no State would
separate from the Union without justiiable
cause. Regarding the Union as family com.
pact, the members Of which can only be kept
together by the practice Of strict and impartial
Justice, Il il better that the non-c contents and
The malcontents should be suffered 20 depart IL
peace by common consent, than by common con-
cert TO constrain reluctant obedience, which IL
Welded to-day, may forcibly be Withdrawn To-.
morrow. IL Is the shedding blood which deters
US from constitutional resistance 10 unconstitu
tional laws, and which ought to be postponed so
long as the faintest hope remains Of returning
sense OF Justice. You well know how the same
infatuatIon Is constantly pursuing interest in.
fnitely more sacred, the unhallowed touch Of
which we would be bound In honor TO resist, and
with vengeance never 10 be appeased. But
pardon so much on these distressing topics, and
accept the tender Of my regard and esteem.
G. NJ. TR0UP.
| To Messrs. John Taylor John G. Brown, Wade
Hampton, jr., Pierce M. Butler, and William
| Harper.