The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-17
WAsnlNoToN, August, 7, 1852.

( WAsulNoroS, August, 7, 1852.
Ny Dear Sir.-lt may be, perhaps,
my duty, in reply to your letter, to
express some Of my opinions upon the
more prominent political questions
Which now engage the public mind,
especially as they may affect the State
OF South Carolina.
With a firm belief, that the Consti.
tuition Of the United States has been
undermined by construction, and the
interests of the South sacrificed by
compromises, can entertain no opin-
ion that could favor either one or the
other. When tho Missouri Compro-
mise was adopted, | believe a fatal
breach was made in the Constitution,
and that the elements Of the dominant
majority were then introduced into
this government, which now assume to
rule the destinies of this country
This measure had the sanction of great
names, and pure patriots. ncverthc-
less think it a fatal error, influenced,
perhaps, by lights which time and
events have shed upon its operation,
and which were not apparent to those
who adopted it. 1t was regarded,
however, as part Of the system Of
this government, for a long time; and
if it had been observed in good faith,
perhaps tho South ought not to have
disturbed it. But its spirit and prin-
ciples have been notoriously disregard
ed and violated. With this certainty
before me, | would have been false to
my own convictions if l had been viii
ling to adopt any compromise involv-
ing any concession by the South. And
Fam, not now willing, by any opinion
which May express, or any course
of policy which | may pursue, to
give any sanction tSatho Compromise
measures of the last Congress. Time
has not made them more acceptable
to me than they were at the beginning
They met with my opposition while
they were under discussion, and niy
protest after they were passed. and
my Judgment can never be rcconcilcd
to approve them. They afford no
security to- the South against the agi-
tation Of the Slavery question. That
agitation is doing its work every day
in the school-housc, pulpit, halls of
Congress, and in the assemblies of
the people and State Legislatures of
the non-slaveholding States-not only
unchecked and uncontrolled, by com.
promises and platforms, but, in every
successive stage of it's aggression, is
rat!fed and sanctioned by Mcm.
With regard to the admission of
California, my views upon that subject
have been frequently expressed, and
remain unchanged. That State having
been admitted without precedent, it
has opened to the majority the power
of making and moulding States into
the Union according to the Constitu.
ton. Justice and eandor, however,
require me to say, that California has
no temptations from interest, that
can see, to be against tho South on
the doctrines OF free trade, and at pres
ent, perhaps, none on the subject of
African slavery.
With these views, it is impossible
that can take any interest in the Prcsi-
Dental election, SO far rs to give any
positive countenancc to the doctrines
and measures Of the Compromise; and,
l canuot overlook, or disregard the
fact, that both the candidates for the
Presidency, stand upon the Compro-
mise, as part of their platform, each
OF tho great parties having solcmnly
incorporated it into its political creed.
cannot abandon the principles upon
which based my opposition to these
measures, Or approve now what dis
approved and denounced few months
ago. notwithstanding my personal
regard for General. Scott, and my adj
lniration for his military fame, am
the very antipode Of his school of poll.
tics and wouldibe compelled if he werc
elected, to take an active part against
his administration, if it should be con.
Quoted upon the doctrines which he
and guided by the associates
with whom he is allied. With Gener.
al Pierce, might have politically,
nearer alfinities. In doctrine, he is
strict constructionist, of tho State
Rights school, and so far as it regards
The South, + believe he has no preju-
lice or bigotry, and wouldi do his duty
q her according totRe Constitution
eut both my experience and observa-
ION teach me, that it is IN vain to
oo6 HERE for the rsforns ofMis gov,