Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-02-01
[CoMMuNrcArEp,l ]
PENDLEToN, Jan. 30th, 81.

Mr.. EDIToR -
must ask the privilege through your
columns, TO express my acknowledgements
to the citizens who composed the public
meeting ut Anderson, for the honor of hav-
ing recommended me, among others, MS n
candidate for the State Convention. IL is
the more pridcJ from the fact that il wos
entirely unsought for and unsolicited ON
my part, and most unexpectedly conferred
Whether it will be confirmed. will depend
on the will of the people and the result of
the election If | should he selected and
THOUGHT worthy of that high and response
bic s,ation, it will be my pleasure and my
duty 10 carry out as far as will be in my
power. the feelings and opinions of those
whom may be called on to represent. so
fully and repeatedly expressed and clear
ly defined, in relation to our rights---our
wrongs-and the remedy.
1t is well known that there is 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
aratc State action when the proper time
comes, while Others are only in favor OF nc
tion in conjunction and co cooperation with
some other of the Southern States land 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
ancc. These are the several CONTINGENCIES
which divided the members of our late Lcp-
islature, and which are now dividing the
people of the State, on the happening of
which the action of the State is TO be pred
Gated.
AS it is question of principle purely and
not of ypedicncy,-nsiti it is great STRUGGLE
forlbertv and equality and Constitutional
right, cannot see how Il diversity of opin
ion can he entertained In the great strue-
giles for liberty which history has recorded,
neither the amount involved, nor the appre-
tensions of the consequences, governed
those who were the first movers of rcvolu-
ton. 1t was not the pitiful 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 wss not the
tax of two-pence h. on tens or the Stamp
duty which cnused the opposition to British
taxation and resulted in our glorio Is inde-
pendence. In both instances it was the
right to tax that was disputed and resisted.
Ii was high ans holy regard to principle
which actuated and stimulated the opposi-
ton, which crowned with success The under
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 ourrevoiution- those statesmen.
orators and heroes, whose fame and exam
pie should serve as beacon light to direct
our course III similar struggle If these
principles are regarded ---if those bright OK
empies are followed, how with n ten,fold
greater weight of oppression and with the
madness of fanalicism which threaten our
institutions, can we, for one moment, hest
tate as to the course which South Carolina
ought 10 take ? Let us not count the cost.
norfear the consequences, when our dearest
rights have been trampled on. and when
the Constitution which was intended 10 rive
us protection and security, is perverted and
disregarded
AS the Convention is intended to be the
embodiment ofpubic opiDion--as the State
of South Oarolna will then speak in her
highest sovereign capacity. ii is important
that the feelings and opinions of those who
shall representbe should be well ascert,in-
ed and fully expressed. And when that
Oonyention shall assemble, / hope your del
.egates will adopt our beautiful and expires
siye State motto "animaS, o,,ibuSq,te 1oarad,'
and that. our State will exhibit the noble
spectacle of brave people who counted
not the cost in order to protect our dearest
right against the aggfcsSions of an unjust
and perverted Government
r. A, MAXWELL.
f9 .----ass - t------
FLoRIpIA ELEnrIoN Mr. Mallnru Dam,