The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-03-18
tFor the Ledgcr.l
Senator Rhett.

Mr.. EDIreR:-As one Of this gentleman's
constituents 4 respectfully solicit the use Of
your columns, in order that I may ciye
brief expression of my sentiments in refer
cnce to the course pursued by him through
out the State controversy by the gross,
manton aud unprovokcd insults Of Senator
Clemens OF Alabama. Feeling, MS trust |
do. in common with every citizen of South
Carolina, deep and abiding interest in every
thing which may affect directly or remotely
her welfare, dignity or hcuor, watched
with profound concern and intense anxiety,
the time of conduct which would be adopted
by our Senator, in the peculiarly delicate
and trying position in which it has been his
unfortunate lot TO be placed
Now, that the whole mater, far as Clcm-
ems is concerned, has been brought, hope,
to its. final close, We cannot withdraw from
Mr.. Rhett our unqualified approval and sin
ecre admiration ofthc gentlemanly, dignified
and christian like department, so nobly ad-
hered to, undsr circumstances we'll calcula-
ted Ia, test, and test mos, serereiy the firmness
and strenetb Of those principles, which how
t'oo Of etensacrihce ed upon the Shrine 81 cor: or
rapt and ritiated public opinion. /
The man who, occupying high and res
ponsible station among his fellcw-men, will
venture to cast the weight Of his necessarily
powerful influence and eranpie in opposition
to a popular custom, alike repugnant to the
laws of God and man, not only deserves and
should receive the recommendation of every
friend of good order, and lover of his coun-
.:y; but affords indisputable evidence Of the
possession Of those qualities, which consti.
tute the essential characteristics Of the tr7ae
hero' .- .ta -H.. ..t ...-.
With qualification and with pride, we
claim the honor of the exhibited sucL he
roism for the American people, and for
the prosecuted State Of South Carolina.
With the liveliest emotions Of pure and
laudible exultation, we can point the
world to a Carolina Senator, as the DOS
SCISSOR Of that moral courage, the soant of
which. Alexander Hamilton so mapnan-
imously confessed and feelingly lamented
just before he fell, victim, not to false
sense Of honor, but to fear of the con-
sequences attendant upon non-compli-
anee with The demands of practice his
heart condemned, but which was SANG
tened by long-established usage. He,
yes Alexander Hamilton : soas afraid
Of being eoiled a ooWdrd!l The object
Of the Illuminating confession of this great
man. made a few moments previous to
his meeting with Aaron Burr, was doubt
less to eonteract as far as possible the ia
tai and ruinons tendency of his powerful
~
A part frori the considerations Of NOR
airy oT religion, .heas we're, ae we think
orcumstapees attending this controversy Of
Mr., Rhett, which, IN and of themselves
forbade, according to the strict REQUIRE
ments of the so-called "code ofhonoy.n tbe |
Of Clemens. But enough of
his. Being disposed To- deal Justly with
Ill men" We would remark that there il
another ef CsFnliha's boaored sons, who
ieseryedly merits the esteem Of his coun- /
rymen, for the noble manner in which he
has exercised the influence Of his exalted
tation. We alludc to Mr.. Memminger
4 Charleston. Although it has been our
ortune or misfortune, as the case may be,
differ with this gentleman, upon, we !
elieye, every political question, which for
ears has sgitated and unhappily divided
ur people, yet neyerthlesa, his exertious
OF only against the particular habit we
ave noticed, bat IN behalf Of every cause
ayihg for rs object the amelloration Of
,e oondition of our sellow-men, have en-.
lied him to, and he has ever received At
pr hands the homage due alone to true
Stae.. = 'ie''isfa i<eR I,
In conuclsion we would say, whatever
ny he the opinions Of some, fperbaps !