Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-08-28


all his energy and his great talents the dan
gerous doctrines of the Republicans, and
now believe that it is his purpose to return
to the Democratic fold He will find that
confidence is n plant of slow .growth,"
aud that his alteration will cost him many
years of ialthful service before he is rein
stated in the high position from which he
so suddenly and unexpectedly descended
All my Sympathies, however, arc with him
in his contest with Lincoln. would
infinitely prefer to see Douglas Senator ra-
thcr than Lincoln, his opponent, who pro-
claims the equality of the negro with the
white man, and who avows his purpose to
overthrow the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States, because the Dred Scott decision
is distastcful to him
But to return to the Democratic party
Have | exaggerated its services in defence
of the Constitution and the Union? IfI
have, furnish the incident and the evidence
and will rccant. Approaching it as |
did, was i'll favor of seeing the State rep
resented in the National Convention at Gin
clnati In 1856. am in favor of the Dem
ocrats of this State sending a delegation to
similar Convention which meets in 1860
IN Charleston. j desire that South Caro-
lima shall have her voice heard in deter
mining what principles are to govern the
party. This can only be done with effect
IN the body that makes the platform /
desire that her voice shall be heard in de-
tcrmining the nominee, | know the State
will vote for the nominee, however obiec-
tionablc he may be, because know he will
hn n fp for, l,n, e
the Republican or Know Nothing parties.
For the same reason, have for years attcn-
dcd and participated in the caucuscs of the
party ut Washington, and sustained its or
@anization. | learned very soon that if in
flucncc was to be welded on the party, it
WAS while they were consulting on meas
urcs and men, and not after tho members
had determined their line of action. No
man now living in this Union has power
to accomplish any great measure or policy
without the aid of party, and if you desire
influence in party, it is only to be attain
cd by affiliating heartily in its organization.
And here let me remark, that as Repro
sentative have found no inconsistency in
affiliation with that party and with States
Rights and strict construction On every
leading measure that has been acted on for
nlnc years, my votes, as the record will
show, have been cast on the same side with
my respected colleagues in the Senate and
House most of whom have declined to
unite inits organization with the Democratic
party, and against whom the imputation of
Nationalism" has not been made. Viz
gnia has maintained her principles with as
much constancy and fidelity as any State
i'll the Union--has always exercised po-
tent influence in the affairs of Government
and her sons have been loyal to party and
Its organization.
Whenever the Democratic party ceases
in good faith to execute its professcd prin-
ciples, | shall abiurc its organization.
Till the happening of one of these events,
my voice and vote will ever be at its service.
When itpcrishes, the wreck of the Union
will cover it's grave, and look upon the
happening of that catastrophe with more
solicitude as | grow older. A cobblcr in
few hours can destroy the most splendid ar
chitcctural pile; to restore it in its symmc-
try and grandeur is the work of years of pa
tient toll by master mechanics. 1t is cas-
icr to pull down than to build up. If the
alternative was presented to the South of
continuing in the Union as interiors in the
rights and privileges of a common Govern
mcnt, or to dissolve the Union, we should
not hesitate in choosing the latter. Meth
er States nor individuals can look upon life
as boon, if it is to be spent in disgrace
conscious of sclfdegradation. My ardent
prayer is, that no such alternative may ever
come. When this government is destroy
ed, neither you nor me, your children, or
my children, will ever live to see so good
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a government
that gives such ample protection to all the
rights of person and property at home and
abroad, and requires so little from the citi-
zen in return.
Let us, then, to-day, resolve that We will
cordially cooperate with patriotic men in
all sections in maintaining the true princi-
pies of the Constitution, and not only there
by obviate the necessity of revolution, but
administer the Government so Justly as to
Oblitcrate all the alienation and discord that
pervadcs this now prosperous and happy
country.
FELLoweCITIZENs: On the fourth of
March next surrender back to YOU the
high trust with which you ten years ago
invested me. Ihavc discharged its require
ments to the best of my humble abilities.
You will not find it sullied by any unworthy
act of mine. Vigilantly have guarded
your rights and interests. have doubtless
erred oftentimes, but your confidence and
fo bcarance have been equal to my short