Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-09
SOUTH CAROLINA SENTIMENT IN 1859.

SOUTH CAROLINA SENTIMENT IN 1859
We Yesterday alluded to the restless activity dis
played in the cause Of disunion by the fanauesl
pro-savery party ut the South which took the lead
in precipitating the Cotton States into revolution
We stated that one Of the principal levers by
which this party sought to insurge the Southern
mind against the Constitution and the laws Of the
Union was found ia the agitation for q revival of
the African slave trade.
This agitation, as well in its incentives in its
inspiration, assumed two forms-one OF which ap-
pealed directly to the cupdty of certain classes at
the South, while the other manifested itself in
propagandsm Of ideas intended to shock the sensi-
bilities Of the Non-slaveholding States, and thus
reconcile them more and more to the idea Of dis.
union.
The argument derived from cupidity was ad-
dressed by artful demagogaes to the non savehvld-
ing population who were taught to believe that no
thing but the Federal prohibition of the slave
trade prevented them from sharing in the EN-, lu-
ments derived by shareholders from compulsory la
Dor. The argument derived from the ethical as
poets Of the question sought to demonstrate that
if Southern slavery was compatible with the laws
Of morality" the foreign slave trade, out Of
which it grew, was equally lawful and proper, nso-
much that adhesion to the latter dogma, not only
point Of faith but as a rule Of practice, began
to be presented by certain parties as test Of
"soundness" on the subject Of slavery.
1t was foreseen that the national conscience would
revolt at any such principles, and hence it was the
more attempted to educate the Southern mind up to
this extremity of prosavery fanaticism for the pur
pose OF widening the moral breach between the two
sections, preliminary and auxiliary to the political
session for which these sewers of discord were
shrewdly preparing the way
While this propagandsm of ideas favoring re-
vival of the foreign slave trade was at its height in
the South, and especially in the State of South
Carolina, where it numbered several typical poll
t'cans among its champions, we received the SUBJ
joined letter on the subject from the pen of that
venerable statesman and illustrious orator, VIII
LIAM G. Preston, calling our attention to an able
argument made by Col. WADE HAMPTON in the
Senate Of South Carolina against the policy which
1t was sought to revive, and 10 the interest OF
which large measure Of opposition was enlisted
against the Federal Union and Federal laws pro-
hibitng that detestable traffic This letter. ad-
dressed to the editors Of this paper and written un-
der the sanction of confidential correspondence was
with held from publication at the time, not only at
the writer's request, but in conformity with the
exchanged between friends. But as since the death
Of Mr. Preston, and of every member of his family,
these considerations longer exist and the letter.
besides being historical is highly honorable to the
patriotic character of the writer, we to-day Law it
before readers, that they may see in it NINA
ture but graphic sketch of the political distempers
which finally eliminated in secession and armed
sedition. The letter is as follows:
COLUMBIA, DECEMBER 49, 1859
My Dear Old Friends 1t s partly to indulge myself iu
the vanity of this claim and partly to indicate that this is
private communication, that this address-and it
is most true and cordial in its utmost significance re-
member, with great pleasure the social hours enjoyed
with you years ago. and my respect for you has been
HANGED from year to year by your exalted and patriotic
public course.
The immediate object Of this note ia to suggest to you
(not to soc the publication in the Intelgencer of the
latter part Of my friend Col Hampton's speech (Which
encose) the slave trade. The nearious project OF
opening has been started here in that prursnt temper
Of the times which maDests itself 10 disunon scbemes
an vigsnt associations. in fibuserng expeditions ard
all the spawn Of morbid moral, and political condition
My State is strangely and terribly infected with all this
sort Of thing supernduced doubtless by the fearful
cendancy Of Abotionsm in the North which subjects us
to those panics incident to slavehodng community
panic ct reckless and ferocous One feeling
gives countenance to the opening of the slave trade
that it will be sort Of spite to the North and defiance
Of their opinions Hampton and his family, you know
are thorough Southerners, and large shareholders
any body. His position therefore, is very authoritative,
and the speech think will extngush the folly in State
Besides think hin very clever and know him to be full
of spirita quality Of which public men are sadly
lacking at this juncture-the spirit mean, to do the
right and to speak the truth. The public feeling OF my
State is indeed terrbeawess violent and fatally bent
mischief The public bodies are scarcely capable Of
sober counses There few voices to endsavor
to que the storm. Ny own is quenched by ntrmtes,
or it should be tried.
nm, gentlemea, your old friend.
WILLIAM c. PRESTON.
Meesrs GALES & SEAroN.