The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-04-27
Correspondence Of the South Carolinian.
CHARLESTON, April Is.

had been already tasked to some extent,
or Tor himself, who was hardly in a con-
di,ion for rhetorical display, he would not
attempt to add anything to wha, had
been said 10y the counsel who had pre-.
ceded him nor, in fact, would it be pos
srble 10 dc SO under the most favorable
circumstances. The counsel had spoken
in tones so just, and so sustained the line
OF argument, with illustrations so apt aud
so conclusive, and a spirit and tone so
becoming the better days Of the Repub.
lie, that he would shrink from the task of
addition and travelling over the same
ground, as even excellence itself would be
ittlo more than imitation.
lie said he was free to confess. howev.
er, that IN this matter ne did entertain
great intereSt-an interest for those who
are upon trial, a solicitude for whose SAFE
ty had grown with the time during which
he bad had their case III charge, and he
experienced more than perhaps even q
professional zeal in the question which un.
derhes the prosecution. But 10 the hope
that If doubt should yet remain upon
their minds he might possibly be able to
remove ii. Ae asked the jury that to the
little he had to SAY upon the tubjcc, they
would give him, As he was sure lhcv
woad, their kind attention.
Tney had heard the charges aud the
testimony to support them. 1t WAS now
Tor them to consider of their vcrdic., with
regard as well to the rights Of the pris
o"ers as TO the interest OF the State. 1t
WAS the privilege Of counsel for defence
To come before .hc jury with the ground
tHat The proofs Of the charges in the in.
dctmsnt are insufficient Cor conviction. In
doing so 1t ncedcd no effort to assume a
s"'se OF grave Responsibility. The lives
q! Tel ow beings were suspended on the
issue. !" their counsel they had com
mittod the trus. CT their detence-whe,h
er they should henceforih walk the earth
IN sunlight or noulder in dishonorcd
graves, was dependant possibly upon the
way IN which that counsel peri2rmed
their office.
Bu, there is, (,e sail) it may be,
greater aUd graver state than tha, at
stake for us AZ veil rs them, FJr near
4 century ;he thought has grown upon
the woTId. that there is proprie;y AMI
right III the perfect equality of man. 1t
was annvunced in the Declaration Of
A'ner'can Independence, forced fearful
practice in the French Repubic, giving
ITS coIoring To great political events
! There WAS eXuI'atIon at the fall Of hereG.
itary forms il Europe-there was rcjoic
ing al the fall Cf slavery in the West In,
DIES es-,here Is gIadL Less at emancipation
here, there is repugnance to every form OF
hereditary power-thcre are eXecrations
bit Ter An intense 10 every form Of
slavery, and under comm N sentiment
that "a the growth aud spread Of this
idea there is surely realization Of 20
iitIc'd millennium, there has come to be IN
all countries where slavery is uot-and
in many where il is-a concurrence most
Singu arIy perfect in acts and efforts TO
suppress the foreign slave trade. But
while this is so, the apprehension grows
upon the public mind Of certain sections
OF the world at least, that this conception
Is not strictly and fully just, ara it is
still conceded among equals, equality is
right But It has become a question
whether aIl are equa!s-whclher races do
not differ in social nature-w whether, while
some are capable Of self goyernment there
he some not capable of SELF government
whether 1t oe not privilege Of the
weaker 10 share the homes aud fortunes
OF the stronger, and whether, While a..
mong all people there is stability in un.
equal orders, and yet relations Of dircc.
ton and dependence, depends the cond-
ton. the well being aud existence even
Of others that they have the guidance of
higher power-peculiar to races unfit
ted TO direct themselves. Such are the
social theories that nave come to battle
10 this world
10 the one it takes its stand and EN-.
bodlment in tue forms and constitution
Of the NorIh, the other stands in the
forms aud embodiment that We find in
tho constitution OF the South. Which
may be right is perhaps 10 be determin
ed now. The North has power and
shares in which numbers toll on legisIa.
ton. They have the power to pass what
laws they please, and they have passed
them. They have circumscribei our in
slltution aud have restricted i, to certain
!atItudes. They have precIuded 1t from
vacant Territories. They have abolished
the slave trade in the District Of Colum.
br. They are preparing to suppress and
abolish the trade between the States and
to dHm!nion most perfect, there i. wan
ting but penal laws and the means 10
their enforcement
One step in that direction they have
taken now. They have passed the law
that is now the Object before us for en-
forcerpent, and to bring il Ia enforce.
ment ls tic last remaining step at which
aggression trembles.
IL IS our hope that no such question
will occur il is our hope and oLfidence
that the proof is not sufficient to sustain
the charges in The indictment, and it is
only to commend these frendIess slran
gers TO your favor and TO induce you to
yield them kindly what is indeed their
Tipht-tha beDefit of evaYy IL