Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-11
LETTER OF THE HON. II. :. BROOKS
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

We find in the Washington Jiaion, of Satur-
day, letter from this distinguished gentleman
upon the question of South Carolina sending
delegates to the National Convention, TO be
held in June next, at Cincinnati. We trans.
fer il 70 our columns. Ii our honorable friend
had confined himself TO the discussion Of the
points involved in the controversy going on in
his State upon this subject, we should have
allowed his letter 10 pass without any further
comment from Us. than the expression Of our
admiration for the just and patriotic general
sentiments it contains, and the admirable tone
and spirit which pervade il.
With the course the State of South Carolina
may see fit 10 pursue towards the Cincinnati
Convention, it's not our province to NEEDLE.
We confess, however, that We cannot entirely
divest ourselves of a sentiment somewhat akin
10 the one entertained BY John Randolph upon
the surrender Of the old Constitution Of yr.
GINA, in 1928. II is told Of him that upon
the adoption Of the new one, he, eccentrically
enough il is true, clothed himself il the habilla-
ments Of mourning, and when asked by a
friend If he had lost any Of his friends, he re-
piled yes, sir, q very dear one, the old Con-
stjtwion." In these days, when old things are
passing away, and all things are becoming new,
we feel a sentiment at the brushing away Of this
old land mark Of the past history and renoyn
Of the gallant Palmetto State. Whether she
be right or wrong, there is sublime moral
grandeur in her proud exclusiveness, which. If
we hailed from her. we should not like to part
with. And whatever may be said sneeringly
Of the distractions and impracticaJizity Of the
greatest civil chiefain in her annals. We have
50 undated an admiration for the political
theories and personal virtues Of John c. Cal.
houn, that II would be vain to attempt to sup
press regret to see any innovation upon them.
But editors are not presumed 10 have scDt;.
ments, and we therefore pass on 10 the ob;ec.
tionable feature in our friends letter. win
which we have right 10 make frank
earnest but respectful issue. As there are DIFF
ferent ways to get to Heaven, so there are DIFF.
ferent ways Of accomplishing a political result,
and sincerely according to Colonel Brooks, the
fulles, measure Of disinterested patriotism in
the suggestion Of his mode, We are bound TO
believe its adoption by the American people,
would be fatal to their best interests. and de.
structive Of our party organization.
1t is our purpose TO show this, rs we think
we can, conclusively, though we fear We may
be forced 10 carry our article beyond our usual
editorial limit
IL will be seen by the first paragraph Of Col
Brooks letter, that he says his opinions IL re-
lstion to the sending Of delegates from South
Carolina 20 the Convention OF Democrats at
Cincinnati we're not only unchanged, but that
they we're strengthened by repeated confer.
ences with leading Southern gentlemen and
confirmed by the two last glorious messages Of
the President" Aud further, lie INDUCES, ia ad.
vance, in most unamiable snathema upon
the South, in the following strain: If the en-.