The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-10-16
LETTER OF sENATon MASON.

Among the letters read at the Brooks
Dinner, Which VIC tiud in the Edgcficld Ad
vertlser, is the following from Senator Ma.
son, OF Virginia. What it says in reference
to Federal afairs is equally bold, true, and
worthy of the past course cf that distin-
tinguislled statesman :-Jfeicury
SELMA, Frederick Co., Va, }
goth Sept 1856.
Gentlemen have had the honor to re.
ceive your letter of the 18th inst, inviting
me, on behalf Of the constituents of Col.
Preston S. Brooks, TO Il dinner to be given
to him hy them, on the Sd Of October next,
in testimony Of their complete endorse
mcnt of his Congressional! course"
1t has been my good fortune to have en-
joyed the acquaintance of your allie and
Justly l.uncrrd Representative, on terms
boil. of social aud political intercourse,
from his entrance into the House of Repre-
sentatives-and | know of none whose
public career hold more worthy the full
and cordial appreciation Of his constituents
than his.
lie has shown himself alike able and
prompt to sustain the rights and the inter
ests Of his constituents in debate and by
vote, or to vihdicatc in IL different mode,
and under circumstances of painful duty,
the honor Of his friend. l would gladly,
therefore, unite with you, were it in my
power, in the testimonial proposed by his
generous constituents but regret that the
distance which separates lis, and my engage
lnents at home, must forbid it.
Perhaps it may not be unacceptable, in
closing this letter, to say few words to
my fellow citizens of Edgefield District,
whom you represent, on the condition Of
the country.
None can mistake, or, in the South, can
remain insensiGle to the times that are upon
us.
The issue (unt;l now avered) hctwecn a
numerical majority on the one side, and
sworn faith to II written compact on the
other, is abo"t to bc tried. The Southern
States represent the minority, both in States
and in people, on this issue. Not their
property alone, but their honor and safety
are at stake in the result for look on the
pending election Of Il President interesting
chiefly to the South, us it will be tyre of
opinion aud purpose ut the North. Rea-
son and argument are exhausted We have
done whatever lay with lis to bring the
majority back within the pale of constitu-
tiona power; and can now only await the
popular vote.
Should it he found to stand by, and to
uphold the Constitution, then we should
once more look forward with confidence
and hope to the continuance of Union
established i'll mutual and patriotic sacrifices.
and having its sanction in frat.rnal
faith
But in reverse Of all this, should domi-
nant sectional vote he directed to bring into
power those pledged in advance to break
down the barriers intcrposcd by the COM
pact of federation, for the security Of one
section against the other, then, in my calm
est Judgment bu, one course remains for
The South:
Immediate, absolute, and eternal scnara-
ton. Better, far better, to stand toward
the Northern States rs We stand to the rest
Of the world" Enemies in war, in peace
friend,"-tl.an 10 remain hating under Il
common government, enemies, under the
guise Of peace, or friends 1T war.
Again regrettirS, gentlemen, that can
not he with you,
am, with great respect,
j. NJ MASON.