Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-12-30
SOUTH CAROLINA.

4 Il
We had occasion not long ago to commend the
conservative sentiments of Gov. MANNING, as ex-
pressed il his annual message to the Legislature Of
South Carolina. We have now before us the inaugu-
raj address ofGov. ADAMS, portions Of which strike
us as also consiossate and sound. South Carolina
.generally cntrusts her Executive depas tment n
HeaItA of ability, Ut elesAsa scntiments and frank
ness Of character.
After acknowledging his appreciation Of the con-
fdence reposed in him, and declaring that he holds
no service SO honorable as that Of his native State
Gov. ADAMS pledges himself to "bring to the SER
vice Of the State heart that has never felt pull
sation inconsistent with her best interest and her
highest honor" He makes brief reference to
matters purely domestic and enlarges upon the pre-
valent disposition for change and the restless spirit
Of innovation which is spreading over the whole
country. His views on this point are SO for ible
that we make room for them entire. He says:
"The legislation Of the State heretofore has been i'm
South Carolina has been exempt from the baleful in
fusnce of that wild spirit Of progressive democracy
which has riot over the North ignoring all the les
sons Of experience and setting at defiance the dearest
dictates Of reason. It is the offspring Of impatient
restless principle in the human breast which, unrestran
ed and unenlightened, is at with mans best inter-
ess both in his individual and social capacity. It Lies
ht the bottom Of those vagares which in these modern
Hays seek to uproot the foundations Of society and
blur and destroy all that is symmetrical and useful in
we'll organized government Rebuked by the words Of
inspiration, in madness mocks them to scorn, and
because there is spot the face Of the sum- would
strike it down from the heavens This desire for change
this restless spirit Of innovation is spreading the
country In the southern portion of the Confederacy it
has mainly developed itself in frequent calls Of conyen
lions to alter and remodel constitutions under the delu
Eve idea that change in government would remedy
the ills that flesh is heir to- Our State has not as yet
been materially injured by its influence Let shut it
put as We would the pestlence that walketh in dark
ness and the destruction that waseth at monday IT
Is the Mooch which, asking morsel at the outse will
IL the end demand the constitution Of the State that it
may devour it Also It is mistake to suppose that to
the extent you man with untrammelled power you
contribute his prosperity and happiness The possess
on Of unchecked power by the many Objectionable
9nd dangerous it's absorption in the hands Of few.
Our ancestors were no bungers IN the matter Of organic
ing Government. They drew their lessons Of liberty
and constitutional law from country Of checks snd ba
Aances Their devotion to popular rights will hardly be
questioned, and it certainly subjected to
test than that Of the illuminate Of the present
dg. They thought the surest guarantee for popular
Rshs was be found in such distribution and lmita
tp Of the powers Of Government as would dsarm the
Of the power to oppress and at the same time curb
majority constituted part Of their political creed, and
time has fully INDICATED the faith that in them.
They sought to for themselves and their postery
the blessing Of wellregulated liberty and our present
system Of internal polity Of their wisdom
and sagacity It protected them and it protects
tects in life character, and property has been
found equal to past and, If honestly administered,
viii prove adequate to future wants people. I'm
der its stable influence have made sure and steady
progress.
None Of our neighbors however in advance of us in
the march Of progressive democracy have outstrpped
In the race Of greatness and solid prosperity In
proportion area in the works Of public improve
ent we have accomplished much for the development
Of internal any one OF our Southern
sisters and this has been mainly done by the individual
energy and enterprise Of the people Public justice
nowhere honestly more ably administered, and,
as an organized community exhibit the noble spec
in the cause Of popular education not commensurate
with wants, evince deep-seated conviction Of its
vital Importance and it Is to be hoped that in the funess
of time they may be crowned with their legitimate fruits
Our living statesmen viii not suffer by comparison with
hose Of neghbors and you unro the scroll Of the
sst no State has inscribed it sterner PATRIOTS aber
tatesmeD, or more gifted orators Weak in numbers
nd small in territory, have always exerted COM
landing influence in the national councils We II
to our high intelligence and moral characteristics and
ese have been preserved and kept alive by the
tive element at the foundation Of our institutions
peal to you then by the glorious recoections Of the
ST and the encouraging hopes of the future to stand
your ancient lspdmarks. Begin not the work Of
ling down and patching up. The FIRST step you take
that direction may be fatal. The watchword viii be
brm the shout win be changed, until you have pulled
over your heads the best balanced system Of gov
fsAent that the world has yet looked upon"
I