Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-12-11
House of Representatives.

The gallery, on Thursday last, was crow.
ded with ladies and gentlemen, and his En-
cellency the Governor, as well as most of
the members of the Senate, (the Senate busi-
ness over,) were seen occupying seats on the
floor of the House, or in standing positions.
The Rev. Drs. Leland, Howe, aud Thornwell
were in the gallery. In word, there was
no vacant space in the house, except that
which was over the heads Of its occupants.
1t was understood that our Federal Relations
would be discussed on that day, and after
twcvemonth Of much agitation, and not
withstanding the ridiculous position in which
the State has been placed by the recent elec-
tions, it is not surprising that general curiosi-
ty should be felt in respect to the character
of the warfare that is still to be kept up be-
tween the parties, or the terms Of pacltica-
tion into which they may possibly, though
not probably, enter
The house resolved itself into 4 Commit
tee of the whole at o'clock, Mr.. NIcmmin-
ger in the Chair s1r. Compbcll's bill, to
subject the property Of citizens Of any State,
being in this State, and subject to our con-
troll, to seizure, upon the refusal of that
State to surrender our fugitive slaves, open
ed wide the field of discussion on federal
matters, much wider that had at first been
anticipated from the nature of the bill. Mr..
Middleton, of Winyah opposed the bill, on
the ground that it conflicted with the Federal
Constitution. Mr.. Campbell attempted to
defend it on State Rights principles. Mr..
Abney, of Edgefeld regretted that while
more important and vital matters were before
the House for its consideration, its attention
should be engrosscd by indifferent and mere
collateral issues. Mr.. Thompson, from Un-
ion concurrcd with his eloquent friend from
Edgefcld, at the same time asserting that
the bill was not only unconstitutional III Its
character, but would, if passed and enforced,
operate the greatest injustice to innocent per-
sons. Mr. Campbell answered sharply to
the remarks of Mr.. Abncy and Mr.. Thomp..
son. Both those gentlemen rcioincd, and
Mr. Campbell, regarding the gauntlet as
thrown down, rctorted, making scme re-
marks which his colleague, Mr.. Burnett, and
Mr. Keitt of Orange, regarded as rejecting
upon the honor of South Carolina. Mr.
Campbell REPLIED disclaming any such III
tcntion. Mr.. Vcrdier thought it useless to
discuss the merits of the bill on constitu-
tiona grounds, rs the Constitution had been
dead and buried for the last twenty years
Mr.. Sullivan thought, so long as we remain.
! ed in the Union it was our duty to respect the
Constitution, and he was opposed to the bill
because it was, in several particulars, 4 pal,
pable violation of the Federal Constitution
Mr.. John Smith said lie should vote for the
bill. Mr.. Phillips moved that the Committee
We We're sorry that a gentleman of the
acknowledged ability of Mr. Campbell, in his
f first effort at law-making in South Carolina
+ should have wasted one entire day of short
session in discussing the merits of 8 propo-
sition so utterly futile as q remedy for exist
ing evils, so unconstitutional in its provi-
sions, and so unjust and unmcrcifnl in its
operation. as the bill he submitted TO the
House. That it was elected bv so large 4
majority afforded significant Indication that
the House, while there are wcighty matters
for its consideration, involving the rights and
honor Of the State, are not in the humor of
cxpending their own time and the peoples
money, in discussing matters Of no impor-
tance, and wholly foreign TO the duty Of this
Legislature.
The remarks of Mr.. Abrcy were exceed
ingly eloquent He regarded all measures
of resistance and retaliation, which stopped
short of secession, as inadequate, and con-
silering the past attitude and bold profes-
sions of the State, as disgraccful. We can
not report his words, but he spoke with 4
tongue of fire, and old Edgcficld might well
be proud of the spirit and patriotism mani
tested by her son and representative on this
occasion. The passage at arms between Mr..
Campbell of Charleston, and Thompson of
Union, and between the same gentlemen and
Mr.. Keitt of Orange, will long be rccollected
rs amopg the most spirited encounters Of the
session, and the fiery rebukc by Mr. Burnett
of the sur cast on this State by his COL
league, formed most striking, and, i'll our
view, appropriate episode in this debate.
a message was received from the Senate
requesting the House to concur with that
body in the adjournment of the Legislature
on the 10th inst The House sent 4 mes
sage of concurrcnee-State Rights Repub-
liran, Dec 9th inst.
THR CONVENTION AGA1N-Quitc 4 long