The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-25


this certainty before me, would have
been false to my own convictions if had
been willing to adopt any compromise in
volving any concession by the South
And am not now willing. by any opinion
which ! may express, CIR any course of pol
icy which lmay pursue, to give any sane
tion to the Compromise measures of tho
last Congress. Time has not made them
more acceptable to me than they were at
the beginning. They met with my OPP
position which they were under discussion,
and my protest after they were passed.
and my Judgment can never be reconciled
to approve them. They afford no securi-
ty TO the South against the agitation OF
the Slavery question. That agitation is
doing its work every day-in the school
Ecuse, pulpit, halls of Congress, and in
the assemblies of the people and State
Legislature of the non-slaveholding States
hot onl unchecked and uncontrolled,
by compromises and platforms, but, in
every successive stage of its aggression, is
ratified and sanctioned by them.
With regard to the admission of Cali
fornia, my views upon that subject have
been frequently expressed, and remain un-
changed. That State having been admit
tel without precedent, it has opened to the
majority the power Of making and mould
ing States, rather than admitting new
States into the Union according to the
Constitution. Justice and candor, howcv-
or, require me to say, that California has
no temptations from interest, that | can
see, TO be against the South on the doc
trines of free trade, anu at present, per-
haps none on the subject Of African slave
ry.
With these views, it is impossible that
| can take any interest in the Presidential
election, so far as to give any positive
countenancc to the doctrines and measures
of the compromise and, cannot over
look, or disregard the fact, that both the
candidates for the Presidency, stand upon
the Compromise, rs part Of their plat
form, each OF the 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 |
disapprovcd and denounced few months
ago. Notwithstanding my personal regard
for Gen. Scott, and my admiration for his
high military fame, am the very anti
podc OF his school of politics, and would
be compelled, if he were elected, to take
an active part against his administration,
1t 1t should be conducted upon the doc
trines which he maintains, and guided bv
the associates with whom he is allied
With Gen. Pierce, might have, political
ly, nearer atlinities. In doctrine, he is n
strict constructionist, of the State Rights
school, and so far rs it regards the South,
believe he has no prejudice or bigotry,
aud would do his duty to her according to
the Constitution. But both nv expcri
ence and observation teach me, that il is
4" ram to look nERE for tie rstoS,,, Of his
government, or to hope for the see,uity of
Me iSouth, as the result of Presidential
election. The disease which we would
heal, is radical, and unless there be ap-
Piled, some entorcible power TO confine the
federal government within the sphere pre-
scrlbed by the Constitution, it must be-
come an elective disposition. In nv de-
llberate Judgment this enforcibe power
will never be found in any Chief Magis-
trate that will ever be elected. The pow
cr to regulate commerce alone, which NAV
be so used, rs to exhaust the means of
one section to build up the prosperity Of
another, unless controlled, will, like Aaron's
rod, swallow up all the rest. ~
These being my couvictions, do not
desire to see South Carolina absorbed in
any organization looking to Presidential
If she cannot be the champion
OF the Whole South, let her assume the
humber and more unprctending Office of
being the sentinel of her own honor and
interests, and the firm and consistent
friend OF her natural allies. 1t NAV be.
come her duty to vote in the approaching
residential election, and if 80, that duty,
though disagreeable it may be, shouIdbe
performed; but, in doing so, should bc
sorry to see our State descend to wage nm
internecine war at home. When the time
to vote shall arrive, let her take choice Of
the alternatives presentcd, and vote for
the candidate least offensive to her self.
respect and political principles. Impress
ed, as am at present, think the State I
should vote the Democratic ticket, in pre-
ference to the Wing. 1t is her duty 70
maintain that this is confederacy of SOW
erelgn States, instead of a consolidated
empire, subject only to the will and wis
dom OF bare majority. would not
have South Carolina to forget that she is
one OF these sovereign States, and to sup
pose herself bound to conform, in all
things. to the noIicv NJ na,+;as =, L.