The republic., 1851-03-18

and annoying to me; and il is astonishing that asp
rants should have to make capital out of such as
persion and in regard to the peo-
pe of South Carolina. Has il come to this, sir, that
South Carolina ia to receive lessons OF instruction.
and that her institutions are to be di5sected, con-
demned, and held up for scorn to the other States
of the Union, because gentlemen may find il con-
venient to avail themselves OF a popular prejudice
against State which, solemnly say, would go
back TO the primitive simplicity of this Govern
ment, and adhere to the strict construction Of the
Constitution, as soon any one in the Confcdera-
cy. And my deliberate opinion is, that II every
State of the Union would adhere as strictly to the
Constitution she will, this Confederacy would
last for many years Gentlemen may suppose it is
very easy to fall in with the vulgar temptation of
the times; but they will find that the Constitution
will crumblc before they are aware Of it, and they
will not be the persons to save it.
But this is not exactly to the point do say that
what my colleague has asserted with regard to the
voting test is true. Now, do not pretend TO reca
Pltulate; but any man can be member OF the
House of Representatives in South Carolina by own
ing prima facie ten slaves and certain quantity OF
land; and suppose no man ought to be a member
OF such a body in any other country who has not
some such qualification. And in regard to the
ecutive of South Carolina, the truth is believe, it
has less power than any other II has not the veto
power, which most others have. And what import
ance can be attached to whether he is elected by
the Legislature or by the people? The people have
the power to change it as they please. The COM
plant has been that there Is too great difficulty
in altering the constitution. There has been but
one convention for that purpose, and but one alter
alton, and that was this right Of suffrage.
Now, was mortified at these repeated state
ments; and what have to say to these gentlemen
who choose to have their personal contests ia this
they may contend they please, but they must
not make their statements the vehicle to carry as
saults upon the State which in part represent.
MIR. HoUsToN. was very reluctant to enter into
this discusson Mr.. President, because 1t was very
unexpected to me. / thought that should have
been on my way home and, if it had not been for
an accident, ] should have been on my way before
this time. came here not expecting to be called
on to make any remarks, and least OF all, expect
ing an assault from any quarter.
would be very sorry, MIR. President, to avail
myself of any popular prejudice that may exist
against South Carolina for any purpose whatever.
If any such prejudice does exist, ldeplOre it sim
cerely any man on earth can do. am sure that
the gentleman from South Carolina himsclfcan
deplore it with feelings of more regret than do.
The insinuaton, therefore, though it was made in
directly, that would avail myself Of any preju-
dice for the purpose of attacking South Carolina, s
gratutous on the part of the gentleman as it is
undesirable to me- can assure him that if it were
possible, would be glad to see all objections to
South Carolina. and all complaints and prejudices
which he may suppose to exist on the part of the
other States obviated, never again to be revived.
And if he thinks me capable of enlisting, under
any circumstances. or for any earthly consdera-
tions, prejudice for the purpose of arraying
part of this Union against another, he does much
injustice to mo he does to his own perceptions.
And il is very strange that have before me Sec
ton of the constitution of South Carolina that
seems to bear me out, according to the reading
which gave it; and for the edi6cation of the Sen
ate, as well as for the information of the gentle
man, will read il as it is-pubshed in volume of
the statutes of that State. In the amendments,
ratified December 10, 1910, the fourth section ofthe
first article of the constitution is amended fol-
lows:
"Every free white man of the age Of twenty -one
years. paupers and non commissioned offcero and
private soldiers of the army of the United States
excepted, being citizen Of this State, and having
resided therein two years previous to the day Of
election, and who hath freehold of fifty acres of
land, or a town lot of which ne has been legally
sesed and possessed at least six months before said
election or, not having such freehold town lot,
hath had residence in the election district in
which he offers to give his vote six months before
said election. shall have right to vote for men,
Der or members to serve in either branch of the
Legislature for the election district in which he
holds such property or is 80 resident"
ton, and hence the error that arose. That is the
mighty thing that has produced all this uproar in
the Senate this morning [Laughter.l
But this is not the place where wish to discuss
these matters, lam very sorry that any thing
say do outside uf these walls should become
matter of investigation here 1t is to be deplored.
This body, as understand it. has higher and more
important duties to perform than to rectify the
reputation Of States The reputation Of the States
depends upon their inherent qualities. will bring
personal explanations here in regard to charges
made outside this Capitol against Texas. Men
may call them by opprobrious names, as they have
done in former times. They may call them vnga-
bonds, fugtives from justice and the refuse of the
country, but will never call the accusations in
question before this body. If the accusation ia to
be met, will meet it elsewhere, and not convert
the Senate into tribunal in which try the char
acer of my State of any other State in the Union
Nor will assail the character of any State here.
have never done il; nor do ! hope to find it
necessary to cast reflection upon another State in
vindicaton of what may be said here or elsewhere,
unlcss tits something that is said by official in
his official character.