The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-22
THE CONDITION OF THE SOUTH.
VIEWS OF AN oLD.rIME STATESMAN.
Able Letter from Ex-senator Bedford
Brown, OF North Carolina.

Columbia, y. Y.
GENTLEMEN-In my brief answer to your po-
lite note, inviting me to be present at barbe-
| cue. to be given in Columbia on the 9th inst,
I did not give expression to my views so fully.
| in regard to the present eventful CRISIS, as
could have wished, and hope you will pardon
me for doing so at moro leisure moment.
| Ny regret at not beng present ls increased
because of being denied the pleasure OF unit
ing IN paving just homage to the noble, vlr-
tuouS and patriotic motives which. am quite
sure, induced the visit OF your distinguished
guest, Hon. John Quincy Adams-a name illus
trious in American annals, and OF which he is
the worthy inheritor. Rising above sectional
prejudices aud ignoring the passions OF the
hour, I regard this gentleman as standing
above modern degeneracy, and as the fit rep
rescntative of Warren, Hancock and the elder
Adams whose lofty souls toJk in the good OF
whole people, and whose teachings speaking
as it were from the tomb, lebuke the unholy
faction under whose narrow sectlonallsm and
iron rule the energies OF great nation are
crippled and constitutional liberty is perishing.
The visit Of this true patriot brings up historic
rccollections OF most interesting character,
when the Hancocks, Adamses and Otises OF
Massachusetts,, and the Rutledses, Laurenscs
and Pinckneys OF South Carolina, were IN
council
The country is now in condition which re-
ouires all the wisdom and patriotism of both
sections to extricate it. Candor requires me
to say, without intending the least censure to
either Of the former parties concerned, that
nv most unremitting exertions were directed
to prevent the late unfortunate COLLISION which
tuok place between the two sections. After oil
the surrounding States had passed their ordi-
nances of secession, North Carolina, forced
from her Uuion moorings by circumstances,
yielded to the general current, though most OF
her citizens s-myself among the rest-earnest-
" desired restoration of harmony and union.
It was, however, in the order Of Providence,
that the sword should becoms the arbiter, and
after o conflict which exhibited on both sides
prowess and military skill which astonished
even Europe, the South as the weaker party
had to succumb, and, with Francis at the bat
tie Of Pavia, could exclaim, that all was lost
but her honor.
It is useless now to discuss the question as to
which section the blame should be attributed.
It would be better answered by referring to the
title OF book then OF much note, written by the
celebrated Mathew Carey, of Philadelphia, e1-
titled 1.-The Olive Branch, or Faults on both
Sides" which appeared during the war of 1872
with Great Britain, giving a history Of the
policy of the Democratic party of that day,
and of the acts and policy Of the Federal party;
the Federalists being opposed to the war and
most Of the foreign policy which led to 1t, and
the Democrats in favor of It, with Madison at
their head. It was conclusively shown that
both were in fault; and so in the late unfortu-
nate difficulties, an impartial review would
show that both sections we're in fault. Does
not, therefore, charity, forbearance and patrl-
otsm all point to settlement of those diff
culties on basis of justice and moderation?
The genius of our government interposes free
institutions, instead OF the storm and unre-
lenting rule of monarchical or imperial power.
Radicalism is insensible to such noble sent-'
ments, aud, feeling power, forgets right.
The Federal government was formed IN q
spirit Of conciliation and compromise. This
is its vital principle, otherwise it would cease
to be a federal government and would run into
consolidation, which simply mems military
despotism; for that alone can uphold revolu-
ton, destroying the reserved rights Of the
States. Political extremists OF the North, III
agitatlng on the slave question during its eX-
istence, derived their inspirations from GroaS
Britain. That power well knowing 1t was the
weak point in our system, used its tools here
to divide the Union. Its emissaries, British
and American, used all their arts in the New
England States, during the war with England
in 1872, to detach her from the Federal Union,
slavery being the irebrand used by them. The
same spirit actuates those now agitating the
question, in it's new form Of feodom-their OBJ
jects being gain and office with the destruction
OF the Southern States. That accomplished free
government would go down, the republican
experiment would have failed, and the privi-
legged orders Of Europe would rejoice.
The Southern States were peculiarly the ad-
yocates of war with Great Britain, in conse-
ouence Of her outrages en- our flag aud having
instigated Indian hostillties on our northwest
ern and southwestern frontier, aud her in
trigues in New Eng and to effect separation
Of the Union. MIR. Madison then being Presi-
dent, Henry Clay and John G. Calhoun were
prominently the champions OF the cause, then
members Of the House of Representatives,
against a powerful array Of Federal talent.
In this connection, will here repeat an inter-
esting political incident, in regard to the dc
claration of war against Great Britain, which
was re- ated to me by Mr.. Clay himself. Soon
after the death Of Mr.. Calhoun, his ccnversa-
ton turning on his great cotemporary, Mr..
Clay remarked that the Congress of 1872 having
been in session for some time, and its session
drawing rapidly to close, the party in favor OF
war were much disappointed at the delay OF
MIR. Madison-then supposed to be reluctant
to take the step-m not sending message to
the two Houses, recommending declaration
of war. In this state OF iecllug, meeting OF
the members in favor Of it were called, aud
ado, ted resolutions recommending an lmmc-
diate declaration, aud appointed MIR. calhoun,
himself and Mr.. Chevcs, then member from
Charleston, q committee to lay the resolutions
before Mr.. Madison-Mr. Clay being requested
by his two colleagues to open the subject to
MIR. Madison, who, after an interview OF sonio
length. consented to send il message IN ac-
cordance with the resolutions.
This great measure O. national independence
from British domination, before incomplete, 1t
will be seen was largely indebted to these eilli-
nept patriots for success. MIR. Calhoun was
afterwards the great master spirit, IN the
House OF Representatives, in favor OF the pros
ecution of the war; which terminated 30 bril-
lantly at New Orleans-Mr. Clay having been
sent as one Of the ministers who negotiated
the treaty of peace at Ghent. Mr.. Clay yoke
OF these events, in IL feeling and touching man
ner, in connection with Mr.. Calhoun.
This great measure, called the seconj war
of independence, was OF singular beneht 10
New Er gland, for her ships were captured
everywhere on the ocean, and her sailors lnl-
pressed. The triumphant result threw open
the commerce and trade of the world to her,
by which she has ever since profited. Nor was
this all. The present great Northwestern
States. many Of them then territories, and all
sparsely settled, were repeatedly invaded b.
Indians, then numerous on our entire frontier
and known 70 be under British control. The
scalping knife and torch often did their work.
The voice and arms Of united South aided to
rally the nation to their assistance and free
them from Indian and British hostllities, when
in some other quarters neither aid or sympa-
thy we're tender ed them. Yet these great COM
monwealths are now leas ued with the oppres.
sors of those who succored and nuItured them
in their infancy, aud who have ever in Con-
gress been liberal to them on what was, for q
long time, vital questionable public lands.
Can it be that the great Northwest, i'll this our
hour Of sore afhiction, will forget these ccc- l.
rencesP
1xl.z Il Co., i.