The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-07-26
Assumption OF state Debts.

y % F.
We lately published letter of
Gen. Sumter's while o member of
Congress in 1889. The following
from Judge Barke, one of his col.
leagues, allndes TO that letter, and
gives thevotes in the Congress of
1883, against the assumption of the
debts of the States by the General
Government. 1t will be seen that
Gen. Sumter was the only one of
our delegation who voted against
that measure.
New York, 9th April, 1870.
DEAR SIR:-I I enclose a few pa
pers for your perusal; they will
convey to you but little news, for we
are rather barren of news. Going
on four months, Congress has been
engaged in the business of the
revenue. The assumption Of the
State debts by the United States, has
taken up much time and attention.
The States againss that measure, are,
Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia
(except one member, Col. Bland)
Maryland, 6 members of Pennsylva.
MIA, 2 of Jersey, and 5 members
of New York. The question on the
Assumption is lost. South Caro-
Ina voted for it, except Gen. Sum.
ter. | expect some will try to make
a run against Sumpter for it. 1 re-
spect the General for acting agreea.
bly, to his conscience and Judgment
he may be right, and We wrong for
aught any one eau tell; for the effects
and consequences that flow from it,
are in the womb of futurity, and God
alone can foresee them. The Gen.
eral thinks the measure would
ruin the State Governments-he
reasons judiciously on it. My mo-
tives in supporting the assumption
are such, as it would not do to.
declare in the House. Tn the
5frst place, if the States are left to
4 tssS d 3, s5thtta stJr
INSTANCE our iaaents %ill conc 70 70
nothing, and | have no idea the
people will ever willingly be.taxedto
make 20 shillings in the pound to
the speculator, for what cost him
rs pence. This will inijure the
State credit, and make the creditors
bitter enemies to the State: they
will form phalanx, abuse the Leg
lslature, excite hatred against it,
embarrass its affairs, and work mis-
chief IN every way. I think it bet
ter policy to throw the odium of such
a disappointment on the General
Government even were the debts
assumed). Besides, should the Un.
ION sever, which, in case Of Wash
lngton's death or resignation, is not
impossible, Carolina, unincumbercd
with her State debt, would be like
a soldier, with light KNAPP sack, /,
having only his arms TO carry, could
march easily and take care Of him.
self. ! thiuk the national debt of
America Is 50 enormous through
the necessities and prorusion of
the day, have no idea that the
nominal amount Of it will be ev.
cr paid, to the few Spectators that
hold the securities. There must be
a failure, in my opinion and I
would rather the Continent should
bear the blame and loss of credit and
character, than particular State; for
| argue with respect of our own.
So they are going Ct hears to
ruin Columbia, and carry the Gov
ernment back again. | am afraid the
thing will be effected; for they have
only to throw things into confusion.
excite discomfort, and above all, di-
vide you, and gain over some of
yourselves. However, I tread, OH
forbidden ground at present.
1t mortified your friends here to
find to Legislature had resolved to
tske no compensaticn.-Wcre 1
an enemy to Republican Gov.
ernmcnt, and were l bent on throw
ing all authority out Of the hands Of
the people, to few wealthy famili-5
es, and confne it there, the first thing
would do, would be to pass a,
vote that the members should take
no pay. That single stroke woala
establish revolution in Carolifia, to
the ruin Of the popular intcpast The
thing is quite plain, and yet
howl. passed at Columbia, God "a
bove knows. &
How came it that our Assembly
did not pass an Act for the election
of Representatives to Congress? Or
are you. toss meet in the Fall or
before CbSsttnas. If the State does
mot do&t, Congress must pass an
Act for .you- j shall make one re-.
mark herein. Ifthc people do not