*Jd. The objectionable mode of elcctiuif the
Governor of the State.
3d. The unjust and oppressive Tariff of 15 I'd,
]> i-svd hv the Congress of tho United Slat- s.
4th. The annexation of Texas to our Confederacy.
nth. The unanimity of State Action.
Glh. Honesty and purity of argument.
7th. As approbating the step taken by tho Legislature
at its last session, in reference to the
term of Service of our Judges.
On motion,
R'jsoltcd, That IPC InllOKing gcmiriliurj m;
appointed as a Committee, f->r tJie purjtose of
drafting Resolutions on the foregoing subjects, to
wit : Col. Joseph Woods, Cap*. AbnT Wilson.
J)rs. E. Darg an and \V. II. Dinkius, Jauus
MoCown, James \\ . Ward, and John Leach, Jr.,
Esqra.
Tiie Committee re'ired, and after a rf inter
vkd presented, t!ir:;ujih the medium of their Chair,
man, (Col. Jusupii Woods) the folio a.ng Resolutions,
viz:
is regards the Election of President and Vice
President.
Int. Res-dred,, Tint we consider it to bo the
^Mit and cuty of a free people to elect l>y their
?tv? suffrage those public officers, to whom the
^^^iLniinistration of the Government may be comand
that tliey should especially exercise
the right direct, of suffrage in the election of
President and Vire President of tha U. States.
2d. Resolved,' Then fore, tint the pnsent
method of casting the vote of tho State at liie
Presidential Election by means of the Legislature,
is Anti Republican and liable to the most danger,
'us abuses.
3d. R-solved, That the candidate? for the nr.T*
I/cgRIature be, and they are hereby required to
pledge themselves to make all prop* r exertions to
reform this defect, so that the election of President
?tnd Vice President of the Unittd Slates may be
1 * -V f ?!..
transferred to Hip tree aiui personal ?urirage *? me
people of the State, in the choice of electors for
those high and responsible offices
.<4? to t'.e Election <>f Governor and Lieutenant
Governor.
1st, Resolved, That the election of Governor
ami Lieut. Governor of the State is bo far removed
from the people, that in the election of these oriiecrs.
they rxercitue no choice.
2d. Resolved, Therefore, that the Constitution
should be go altered that the election ofthc Governor
and Lieut Governor of the Slate be directly
transferred to the people, tlie present mode of
electing these officers not being congenial with our
republican form of Government.
3d. Resolved, That the candidates for the next
Legislature he also requested in pledge themselves
to promote an 1 sustain this inousurc to the extent
of their power.
As to the Tarijf.
1st. Resolved, That it is the privilege of freemen
to give a calm unbiassed opinion upon great
questions of public po!i y. We there fore embrace
this as a favorable opportunity to dec Inre our utter
and unalterable op|K)siti n to the present tariff or
to any tariff that shall impose any other then ad
valorem duties upon imports.
2d. Resolved, That wc consider a tariff for
protection hostile to th? Federal Constitution as
well as the liberties of the people, and cal-iiUtod
to destroy our excellent system of (government,
and that we will by all due means, constantly and
unweariedly continu* to ppnse stn-h a policy,
- is to the Annexation of Tex as.
1st. Resolved, That we are warmly and zeal,
ously in favor of the Annexation of Texas to the
United States, and that she is in fact and in right
entitled to exercise her own choice and sovereign
will in annexing herself thereto ; and that n >
country or power under heaven has a right to
oppose or pre vent such a measure, provided the
contracting parties can agree ; yet we regard thu
peace and harmony, the prosperity and glory of
our beloved country, as paramount to every other
consideration. We are there/ore contented to
wait further developments ol Providence for the
consummation of this measure.
-is tc the unanimity of State action.
Resolved, That concurrence of opinion and
unanimity of sentiment arc highly important and
should be se< urcd by the citizens of our State, in
order to accomplish any great political measure.
We therefore da hereby express our disapprobation
of a Southern Convention, or any other political
manoeuvre got up with a view to a severance of
our Union, at prrscnt, with the old thirteen unci
other States, which have by them been received
into the same Confederacy, arid especially with
the recollection fresh on our minds of the almost
last words of the father of our country, 44 frown
down in the bud any and every attempt at the
severance of the Union."
j4s to the Honesty and Purity of Argument.
Resolved, That we regard the liberty of speech
and of the press as the grand organs sustaining
our Republican Government and our noble arid
patriotic institutions, and that they of right may
be exercised freely by every American citizen :
yet we deeply deplore and are truly ashamed that
sueh opprobrious epithets and such a low caste of
scurrility and falsehood are descended to by the
two great opposing political parlies, and o?periu)lv
that these have found their way into the public
prints and newspapers, which shamefully disgrace
their columns, that arc laid open to the inspection
of foreigners and foreign nations, whose ever
watchful eyes arc gazing upon, a id whose zealous
hearts are exulting in our already predicted overthrow-,
knowing that a house divided against
itself must . come to desolation. And indeed
every stranger would conclude that the candidates
for the Presidency and Vice Presidency, with
many other groat and good men of our country,
were a set of the most arrant scoundrels in Amor,
ica ; and whilst they tro thus dealing in shameful
abuse, they, in their hearts, venerate and esteem
those worthies that they thus attempt to debase:.
We would therefore most earnestly recommend an
entire abandonment of this course, and instead
thereof, a use of 6ound, honest and pure argument,
which alone has a tendency to advance proper and
suitable men to office, as well as to convince the
public mind of the utility of their political doctrine*,
and those benefits which they (the people)
may derive, from the acceptance of them.
As to the Tenure of the Office of our Judges.
Resolved, That wc approve of the step taken
--e- ? <l.n l^nnr. nf
by (ho J.e^is!mure in rntirmu i<? mu ...
the office of the JurWs of our State, hclievitirr
that if pomft inconvenience may attend the con.
template.) change, yet we are of opinion that at
sixty five years of age, in many instances, both
the physical and nirntal powers cf mar. become
enfeebled.
The following gentlemen, who arc candidate*
eacyy *v,'i -^rxsza^z: - j?r?-.Jtm-Heutrtamer,
for ('.>! rrocr and :lie State legislature, address-d , (
I
the inpi tin;;, and jjace their viowsori t!>s foregoing
(it-solutions: O'eorire \V. D.tr<jan atlJ David
E (;?., far S'ate Senate; C* >1 - Itic H.
\\ ilson, .loliit F. Ervin. E-q., and Dr. /.humor
man, for the I'nuse of Representatives ; A. D.
J Sims, Esq., for Congress.
1 A motion * stlien trade, shall these Resolutions
: piss, which was unanimously carried.
j 'J'lie Resolution* were then read one !>y one and
passed. I
.
On motion,
Rfsilcfl, That the proceedings of this mcctinsf |
j he published in the Charleston Courier and in the
j Che raw Cuzettn.
1 Rssdtcil, That the meeting tr>,v adjourn.
JOHN !tl. TI.M.wONS, Chairman,
j Jimcs Tiiwinu, Secretary.
EmNlWIAM, S?.pl. 10. 1S4-I.
For i!ic I'..'i'WfiV Gizcttc.
To Voters of ?5?s*r?r". I
I notice in the C'lmraw Gazette of lOtti in*t. a :
coiniiinr-icition under the signature of'-Many j
Vcj *rs." iddrui.se d to mvsolf a'id others ;iCan- J
'!i 1 it.;s !'?r lh-> E^g'suitoro; tho object ?f which
is to elicit an exposition of our sentiments on
' certain no'itica! topics. M/ ooinions on a il
i / .
! those subjects Irivi been frequently and fully
| expressed. !> ??!j ii c ?nversa'ion an! in public j
: speeche^bnfore uss"iii!?lirs of the citizens- And !
j though I cm scare dy believe that they are ii"? !
j known to many voters of ilia District who feel ;
j a solicitude upon the matter allude.! to; and j
though I feel persuaded but a very small num- .
her of the persons to whom this communication ;
is 1 Jdresse J will have an opp <rtuuilyof rcidiug
it, yet 1 most ciu-erful'y respond to the cap
an I submit to tiie labor of preparing a. written !
answer.
The tirsf question propounds i is as fo'lotvs : i
Will v>>u. if elected, sn?t. lift a proposition for i
an immediate ca'l of a St itc Caavait ion to j
nidify the Tariil law of IS1-2; or give o moteiMnco
to any such measure during your term of j
service."
To the fir?t branch of this interrogatory, I
! answer unhe--itatin ?'y in the negative. I think
1 the time for Si de action Ins not yet arrived, i
j Whatever others may believe, mv own ImmMc j
j opinion is. that all necessity for a resort to it, j
will be prevented hy "events now upon the I
' 'ile." Tnetrium >h ofthe Democratic parlv in J
[the approaching Presidential Election,, seems
I highly probable. And with this triumph I con- j
li.lentlv trust wrl! ho esttblishcl the ascendancy
of sound-r and jislcr principles ill the Alminis.
tra'.ion of the Federal Government. With the I
election of .Mr Polk (should that event occur) l,
the Democratic party will unquestionably cairy
that gr*..at measure so impoitant to National
defence and the security of Southern infre-ts
and institution'-, to wit: 'lie annexuli m of Texas,
Tbnrn nrc a Vo III an v and stroll? reasons to I
* """ v ? - ? ? J C7
believing that tins success of tho Democratic
par'y in the Presi.!mti il contest, will bring with
it j ist ice nun' relief to 'lie South on the subject
of tlie Turr.T. To say nothing of their repeated
and solemn pledges to this effrt, let it be remembered
that the TariiFof 1532 A'as enacted by
a snraii m ijority. Tins traitors of the .South,
who supported that measure, wi'!, it is hoped,
receive their just rcthbuti m at the hands o' !.heir .
betrayed and outraged constituents, as scon as 1
ihn cl'chvo franchise c.n bo brougiil to iiear j
upon thein. Tltn Damocratic nartyof the North i
will have g.* eater freedom to net out their prin- i
. .
cipLs, when their Cuiirse is disentangled fltom '
the great struggle now going on. In estimating
tiic chances of a repeal of the Tariff, the influence
of the rodor..l Executive is not to bo over- j
looked nor contemned, fi tue prevention of'
improper legi liliou.his power is dirf-ct; and |
though lor its repeal his power is indirect and !
and moral merely, it is not to bu denied, that t
the iutiuencc ot ilie Executive pitr?mage gives
weight to the opinions of the 1'resident, and in a
nicely balanced state of parties, ;s sufficient to
decide the question.
Our X iti ).;n! d-'bt (by lonn) is at flits moment j
$21,971,415; it lulls ?'!ue as follows : ?5,072,977
on the 1st Jan* 1845; $7,000,( 09 on let .1 in.
1853, and ?3,301,468 on 1st January, 1863. '
On outstanding Treasury notes there is, or was
due, on 1st Ib'cr. 1813, ?4,163 225. On debts
of the corporate cities of this District of Co*
l.imbia, ,?! ,320/300. And other >nisc<"I!anc? '
c.is del>t? to tii? amount of 240,000 : making 1
I
an agaregatocf Ic.s; than "27 m l!:ons the creatoi
L I
part of wire!) is not due f ?r many years to rome.
The revenue co looted under the present Tar ill" '
in the Port of Now York, for the month of Au- '
trust, is p'ated in the public prints at an amount !
out iittlo iess than .$3,009,uhO, whi h is equal '
to 31 or 35 millions prr nnninn* for the single j
port of New York. The ordimry exponses of
the Government may he estimated at about 23
millions, as based upon the two first quarters of i '
the year 1843. Makingoverv allowance for varia?
lions in tlso amount of revenue collected, there i
is likely soon to lie a Lrge surplus revenue.? i
With an economical administration of the Fed*
era! Government, with a R'publican President j
ready l?> veto any measure for the distribution of
the Public Lands, or of the suiplus Revenue, or
any extravagant appropriation for internal im- J
provomenls, or any other wasteful expenditure '
of the public mon?v, an overflowing Treasury J
must soon tune away one pltnsilde pre'ext for
the present oppressive system of duties, and im.. I
! periously e ill upon the thinking ami honest :
j hearted ??T all parlies, to aid in repealing the j
; Taritf of IS'2. These are some of my reasons j
I for believing that the Tariff of which wo com- i
! plain, ami which h:?s heen jns'ly stigmatized as
I " trie block Tariff," will be repealed or modified j
| in a measure to meet our approbation.
| 1 pass on to the second branch of the interro ;
gato'y. My sentiments upon ilie subject of j
State remedies and interposition against Federal 1
I usurpation and encroachment, arc well known i
lo you all. I fe -I liiat my p ditical creed in this j
! rc-pvct, can n? ver undergo the slightest shadow i
; of a change. I believe it to be the principal j
I ninmiMit of union and cohesive stiongth in tbc
I VIV.M
! confederacy, and as I love the Union and desire !
it,s perpetuity, I the unr. fondly and tenaciously |
! cling to t!.' oulv o-uiservjiive principle that can,
: in niv opinion, maintain its integrity.
| Tilts experience ot nun in his attempts at self
' government, proves one nvlincholy truth with |
1 jrrcsistiblc iorce, viz: that the tendency of all
j po'ver, wherever lodged, is to abuse and us-irpi- j
lion. Wc had no just groundlo hope lit it um
v,v:i ov> ricicnt wonhl prove nn exception to |
!: ; general rule. whlo'i orr ?h?rt :nii i:vt-:i: :i
liislorv of'i't' ni'T 'hnii !i i!f" ; c > ; j;: i r v loo well
Mahlislies. Accordingly, there were not wanting
jirof.iuii ! r..?J s tg'M'imis 3* .t> ssnen oft.I:-.' era
H tin: Coii-ii'uiion, and .who g them sone who
isslst- I i:> t'10 deliberations \v >ich f?iriu<*-i it,
. . '
who point? ' <> t wit if j> r? !?? t. o w sro n t!, ;1 - j
I eis ,visi".:! w ejld it |? < J in a yrkb o of'
the system. .Indyc V.ifs iiiii! Mr L.n* eg of
I'c1111vIv 111i i. "vit'idi'.-iv from the Convention in
i
desp ?ir of a sc icine of G a sri.incsiMH-jr.tr dopt- ,
cd. n hicli should comport with the jn^t rights of |
the States. .Mr. ftlbridgc Gerry of Mas?tehu-j
setts, am! Mr. Mason ant! Mr. fhln oud lie.'-'
o' V J ' i::5it though they =at through a!!! he
li-'IiUirations of the Convention, refined their J
sanction to the Constitution. The latter o hpel- ,
cd. anion? oth r things,ti: it it Was defc< i.v-- in
no* drawing with suuie'etit cl< arness, "a l:n? |
In.'lween the powers of* Co egress and the indivi- j
dual States; and i:i not d< ii :i.g the former, so i
ns to leave no clashing of juris diet ions nor danjrrvous
disputes; and to ;ir rent the one from
being sv.ul! wad uj> by tho o.lier. under cover of
geiicr il words and impkcition. Luther ??Iartiu
complained of the vagu r.ess and generality of
tiio ianguagc in which important powns \v< re
granted, at; I among other*, of the very clause^
under which the power t?? enact a Protective/
TjiiiT lias been e.<.>rci*ed. In tlic Virginia Con- j
vent ion, to wliich il was submitted, the i'iustri- :
ous Patrick Henry lulmitt tCd lit > riig'dv tl:tin- |
dors of bis eloqupnee igi'ii*' i'.. And in our
onn convention whicli id-n te : it, ' tv In s !
Low rules and others, v .
rcma.I:aMc, and a s g.mitv !
foretold tin ten-ene.v ot i
ism. Wlial was ihmi bu; - ?.
become historv.
There is no truth more fo'oib'v i up s
my mind, llrin that u.t elfiet nd'ow* Crlsc, ?i j
disruption ol tii<; Union must folio \ cou>o ida- |
lion. The anxious e ve of the Patriot nan loo!;
nowhere for a remedy against this tmdrncy. but
in the doctrine of Stu!o interposition. The
Union must forever rest upon the consent of the
Stales, and that consent must no based upon a
co ivietion of something apor aching to t
advantages and equal burthen*. Where is "he
man w hu can believe, lli.it under a system of
constant and hopeless oppression a:;.! i:jn ti e
the Stales of this Confederacy will not, 1:1;"
Star*, " Shoot m idly from their spher'-s,'' and
seek happiness and security in1 oilier (onus ol
jmiii ic.ii combination.
Tha Federal (hu-.s'iiir.ion has appointed no
common arbiter f<>r liie adjustment of diff-renres
between tho Generil and Stite H ivern incuts
Tncrc is i o tribunal known to the Constitution,
that has the power to interpose. The doctrine
that the Supreme Court is such an arbiter, I
scout as 010 of the most, dangerous her.'i o<
and device* of that wi'oy and restless party winch
under tli" nrmv's of Federalists, .National Ildp'.i'j
licans and Whigs, Iriy always disroi'.i-dnd tin?
rest nints of 1 lie Const it ition. are now ma!;,
i?; JT fi u cu bat 1 'e f'T I he possession of the < ?OCi ri'mout
The Father of the Ilepuldieni: pa-fv the
great aposf't of liheity, Thum* J fTison, lias I
proclaimed (hit the power ol' the Slates cm
alone preserve the equilibrium of the system.
And > 11 j co his d y, tiio most profound and phiOs.iphie
il statesmen of tin.' Den oeratic sr:h"o'
under the most searching analysis, liavo been
alilc to evolve r.o oilier coi.s'rvative principle,
than tlint iStatc interposition is the prop"r and 1
the only r mcdy. 'i !iis 111 iy I"" done by one or I
n'o.e Slates, according to the exigency of the
particular evil proposed to bo tmivj .icd. Whether
1 lie li-nn-dy i< <> f>' resorted to, ."ml ;vl;? 11 .
;wi'l how, are .iw i - q -- uioi.s o1 expediency, to
be <i ci.i d under ca'm delihei ami upon a
fuli vi or ail tin- cireu.nsta: c s.
Li no instance lias .lit? iegis a'i ? of Congress |
?"ci? oliiractei zed by grosser tuiirpatiou, ?;.-r.- !
flagrant oppression, anil wi: r--pr -ol evils, than
ai the enactment of nigh Piotc ctive T ir.tls. It
das: contributed 111 ire than any oim cause, pr
Il.lps til an all causes combined. t?? produce among J
Ijo peopl" of tl?c South, alienated fec'ings and |
lisitf'ction towards 'It Federal Covernmont. and
0 fi!I the mind ol the Patriot. with pri.uful appr< Iicnsions
of the future. Iti these and kiadted
.nnasiiies, we have a fi;r; l.isteoftti' bitter frui's
Lhat will inevilab'y result Iroin consolidation.
Df wlial avail to as are com-!i'ti'iomtl guaranties
Lhat are op -nly and insultingly di regarded and |
Jerided ? And of what avail to us is our fi pre?rntation
in Congress, when an iron-handed
1 spoti-m, wielded by a geographical majority,
irresponsible to us ni>d inaccessible to our ballot
! ox, weighs us down ly unconstitutional and
oppressive taxation. As Ihr as mry- rilies govurn
us, and oppress within their Constitutional
powers, it is the birgiin, and we must hear it,
but beyond lhat, it is not the compact, and we
are not bound to ohev.
I hi lievo the TariiFof 18l'J to be unconstitutional,
unequal, and in tin highest degree
oppressive to all the industrial pursuits ot the
country, save t!i" ! :vor? e!::- -s : and t :ai il
bears wi*h it'mi'ig t- ci v: r *> i .? '.e S
b( ing unatienile . wnii ;r v u.i.
are enjoyed by ti.Osc <n :.i vn . i .
ufactnrers.
1 have already said that I w - :i: :.iv
any present Stale action. 1 In li. ;e tii.it '
premature agitotion of litis subject, \v?ii be i. j i.
rions to the cause it is intended t > uphold. It is
like the impetuous stalls of a spirited horse, wiio
moves before the rest ot the teun are ready, and
thus haul: s and deranges the movement of the
whole. I liavcalnady stated rny reasons for
hoping and believing that the present Tariff will
be modified in a manner to meet our reasonable
expectations. Rut should all ottr just cxpecta. J
lions be disappointed, then rears the grave
r '
question?What is to be the future action oflhe j
*
State ? And I urn asked, if I sliouhl !>c elected,:
whether I will favor a call of a State Convention |
i
.n,..:..rr ,,w form of service ?
UUI III- * * * J ? ? .
I am 'mt prepared In $ny whit may tip mv
individual opinions on this suljoct within the
next fouryears. If the present Tardl'should not
ho re pcaleJ or modified, and .ill hope ceases from i
the legislation of Congress, then as an i/idioiil. j
val, I am free to declare that I should he in fay.r
of resistance, in anyfui in and shipr. that promi-i
pro, in my judgment, a successful result, and
that docs not threaten evils of greater magnitude
7W
than those intended (o le rcmedicd^^It. is r
course up n which the Slate is uot^rbe puV
without i duo ! ': Til to the ways and the mean?
the plan ot' ojicr.it ions and t i?o probable results
Tii.-re i< no usurpation <>f Congress to v. i.ic!
the application if the remedy cf State inlernosi
f 'mi is attended with more practical difii'U'.t ? :
t!? hi a.i unconstitutional revenue law. Tlu-si
iii'Tl 'iiltips arc jrcatlv cnlnncfd hy the cash syp
lem of paying the duties that now exists. Tlii
feature did not belong to the Tariff of 1^23.
have not the Art of Congress enllcd " the bloodj
hi!! " before me. which is stiil unrenewed. atir
vvliic.ii, if it is to he acted on, is a complete sub
version of the form of our Government. But if
rcPidlect aright, t.berc is a pro vision in that Act
(which as far as that clause g cs is Constitution
?!,) that authorizes the President to csfab:ish l!i(
Custom House on board a vessel of war, in certuii
contingencies.
I have not scon any scheme of opposition, n
plan of operations against the T.iritF, from tie
advocates of present State action. The more ca!
of a .Slate Convention has, in my view, no mean
ing, unless there is some feisiblc, practicable plar
of operations to he submitted to its judgment
There :s no potency in the simple assembling of ;
Convention. Ahd I, as one, should be oppose*
to such a call, which would put the action of tin
-State under the control of a mere majmily, unlcst
t?i fore t!ic e;?I! is made, some plan of operation!
shall he presented that will command the sane
tion of my calm and disp issionatc ju Igmcnt
There isauother necessary element of.-uece-s'ii
resi-t.ine.e. vvhi'u is not 'o lie lost sig'U >>' ; ;t i
the union r.f !h' People. Ifm?V he ssijd, that a!
thi.-rs ire ; > 'n br ' o :iv d p?n:d- I
s h .:ub: r. ' * r ' ' t r .n.-V
not in.- sii: .< - i I .. -a
wlir shall he President, - ' betrayed by her publ
lie s< rvuds, she sutlers herself !<? !>< hound o .ii
and font, to he plundered and robbed by her Nor
thorn oppressors.
I think it may he laid down as a guiding prin
eiple on this subject, that in separate Slate action
union among ourselves, or some near approach h
if, is absolutely necessary to the success of urn
plan or mode of resistance. If this state of thing
cannot be attained, or if attained, no praetica
scheme of State interposition can he prcscntct
that promises a rational prospect of success, hot!
reasons, or cither. are, in my judgment, suflicien
for tiie suspension of the exercise of an undoirtci
right. If the case is so desperate, that an aeknow
lodged usurpation that converts us into serfs, :ul
m t^ of no rcmedv. or if admitting of remedy, (?
j if unquestionably does, in tFir rase of joint Son
'hern action,) the people arc disposed not to ven
tarn upon an effort for their own redemption ; o
b ?ve become such blind and deluded worshipper
and victims of the great car of Juggernaut a
I r .
I Washington, as to desire no farther happins
| than to be rr.aii.-Ld and crushed by the iror
wheels of its oppression, then the Patriot muj
I indeed weep tears of blood, and the gallant feu
W'*o wonld resist if ihry could, niav chafe in tliei
chains as the prisoned eagle in his mige. In sue!
case as this, (which God in Ills mercy avert,) It*
lis not pretend to be free. No more vainglorioui
blasting? of our liberty, nnd of our descent fr >ti
the hemes who achieved it! But in dust am
a?!ies we would sit, and a? slaves ?,ve would sub
mit "The rdumter of accidents'' would be ope i
to us, ns it to all slaves. The best thine
that could then happen, would be, for the consoli
dationist to speed on his work of destruction, t<
what remains of the Constitution, and to heap'or
his oppressions until the slave should be goaded
to tc.-istanre, and the spirit of cur patriot sires l<
kindled in the bosoms of their recreant and tic
generate sons!
I hese remarks, if is of course perceived, epp!*,
to a 'fate of tilings in which it is assumed th?
Taiitfis not modified, and the South should settb
down into final and unconditional submission t<
i's cxt tint s; neither of whii li events I tr:i?t wil
?v r happen. Should it be otherwise, it will mi
he long before iho dark Abaiit/mist would applt
bis torch. Sooner or later he will attempt it anj
how. Infatuated South ! will this awake yoi
from your illusions ? Will this tear aside the silve
gUH7.o that hides the horrid features of you
" veil. d prophet of Khoras*u ?" Will this kindle
your ar.lor, and rouse your spirit and bind yen
1 '* - :?? . :? .. :ii n,,i lw.o. .ro
together in union ! 11 win, u win. ui<>>an ...
lest it b?- too Ltc. Beware! lest like Samson ym
lie shorn of your strength i:i your sleep, am! lh<
cords which in your vi p>r you might snap asuudc
like thread, be found sutlicicnt to bind v?u forever
or the dreadful privilege lie only left you of pnitint
down a ronnnon destruction upon yourself am
vonr enemies.
fil tite event tint the Tariff be not modified, ]
have not ventured to say what should be the rours
of the State, and its mode of action. I mus
confess I have a mu'di clearer perception of tin
magnitude of the evil than of the remedy. Tin
latter I leave for the present to wiser heads that
mine ; reserving t<> myself, .as an individual, tin
privilege of forming an opinion, deliberately niudi
up when tiic crisis presses, and of exercising at
oiihi.ised judgment as to any pl.m of r.perut oris U
'ie then submitted. In no event rouhi I rum'-m
o o::-r? ; res.o.f .1 m ; >ri \ of my een?titn: n<s o!j
; n;'V' ']"C ',r ft* ,j<*. 1 ' f ??t
that v- le igai ..t them.' i sj uid But Ji cast
fee! obliged to g out c th iv, some ?
might he put forward who would be a truei rep re
s.-mtative of their sentiments, 'i'i.;.- would be but
justice to litem, ami the converse .if it, would be
h ss than justice, and far from true policy towards
the party with whom I might coincide, as in
questions of this moment, it is of the last importance
that trie Legislative vote should Le a just
exponent of the popular feeling and opinion, in
sj'di event, I should be left free, as nn individual,
to pcrsue. my own views of duty arid public obli
oration. These are, in part, unalterable att.ielj.
nient and adherence to the State of South Caroli.
.....a,.,. ..n .imtrnnd rircnmstanecs what
lid, UUUUi nil Uiiiiw^. ~
ever. 1 can never forget that she is my nursing
mother, ("sooner let my right hand forget its fun.
nir./r.") I ran never forget that I was born be.
ncatli hrr skies and nurtured on her bosom. To
her I owe my first love and my first allegiance.
The hours of my fa thers sleep in her s. il. I d sire
no other resting place for mine, I shall rejoire in
her prosperity, and weep over her humiliation.
When she a*ts through hrr constituted authorities,
right or wrong, I shall support her. Iier errors
1 <v>n!d not alienate rny affections. Through we;
an ! through woe, through storm ami su.oshini
, through glory-and through shame, while my lien
. I; its it shall be with her, and i desire no other ?
. better destiny than that whieli aw lits her.
The second question propounded i-t: " Are vo
s h favor-Ol' giving the election of Eleclorsof Pre:
j h'ent and Viae President to the pcoph V'
f attach no great import in<*c to this question
^ as compared with tint just discussed, it sinks inl
r insignificance. Pres.dent making has been til
, ruin of the country, and Ins done more to under
r '
i mine the Constitution than any other cause. A
to the change proposed, though there are man
I reasons lliat can be urged against it, the weigl
of the argument, in my view, is with the affirmi
live, and f so answer this question.
As liic vote for Electors is now popular in ever
, ^tate in the Union but ours, it would seem to fc
deMirablo that for conformity sake, ours should I
r | of the san e character. The concurrent opinior
, | of the other 0.> Sta t s, should cause us at least I
I suspect Ihe wisdom of our peculiar mode. Tfi
popular vote for the Chief Magistrate would t
, more in consonance with the theory of our politic;
institutions. It would have a tendency to indur
j on the part of the people, a spirit of enquiry, as I
i the qualifications of their raudhLtes. The ele<
.. tion for members of the Legislature turns on oth<
"
, j questions. The people never think of the Pros
s j d-:iti;l e'ertion when voting for members of in
State Lcrislnfurc. Aud even if iUis could b
i always done, it is mixing up too many issues t
| Federal policy and State Legislation, for th
result of :!ie e! ction to he a fair exponent of pul
li'- opir.ii n \ i ;e man might be suit ?b!r f?
. 'i1' r 'li o " 'her of these olliers of Elm
or : !. -i and not for both
I" to o i!. (!, however, that the "h ing
i .voivc tin surrender of one vrr
! ?< l mging to the present mod
(lection for President tak<
.. ral Colleges on th first Wei
, 1 ~ > '' )(cemher, mid that for Electors i
_ > utih Cjrolioa on the day previous. Wc tin,
I occupy a vantage ground, from which wc ma
survey the whole field, and ascertain bet wet
J which of !lie aspirants the contest lies. We ca
, j change .almost to the Ia?t hour, to suit the chip
! gencics that arise. Should some frfal r.hj:ctio
/ . J .
s | arise to the candidate we favor, or should it t
j J seen that to vote for him, is to fling aw iy t!
. ! vote of the State, we can drop him at the la
, ' moment, and between thorc like!v to win, strih
i , ? , >
t ; for him who is hast ohnoxinu? to us.
I | 'I'here is another objection <?f a practical natnr
j The tie tion for Electors mu*t take place withi
, 3 ! d *y? previous t'? the first Wednesday in D
s cumber. It cannot then take p'a^c on the day
our General Elections, the second Monday i
October ; a time fixed hy the State Conslitutio
r Thrse t'vo e'ections cannot he made to occur c
the same day. And h<nce, in the year when ?f
t Presidential election tikes place, there must I
s two General Elections to agitate the country, an
1 ! to call out the people within a few weeks.
, ! Notwithstanding those objections and othcrs'h;
, i might be mentioned, are cntitlrd to attention,
j think that the reasons for a change prepnnderati
I .
I I I attach no weight whatever to the constitution;
t , objee'ion, (first emanating, I hrlicve, from MB-*
l? . t T . .^.1.
j ander Hamilton,) that an eic nnn ?y mr u'gisi.
f j tore of thr State, is not an elc-lion " by ill
i 1 S'ale." The people can delegate tiicir power o
j this subject to ?lie J/'jfisl sturc. They have don
( i so, and they can withdraw it if they pleas?.
ri 3. " Will you support a proposition to {jive th
election of Governor directly to the people ?
} There is very little of solid or substantial po.vt
j appertaining to the Chief Magistracy of Sou*,
i Carolina, fie it :s no voice in, or control by wa
, of veto, over the Legislation ?.f t.'ic country, fi
j nnv, in his .Messages to the General Asscrnblj
] invite th ir attention to particular subjects. fci
. I may the meanest citizen, by way of petition c
, j memorial, fie has no power or patronage by wa
, j of appointment to office. lie is Commandir-ii
( j Chief of the Militia. This, in time of war. is i
i j some importance, hut in peace is a mere pagcan
f j I j">n the whole, apart from his own talents an
. | character, the Chief .Magistracy of .South Carotin
, confers no power, and but little moral infiurp'
j upon the incumbent. Yet in such a State t
r j S;uth Carolina, it is a post of honor and hig
r distinction, and like the civic crown (of oak icavei
, | decreed by k? publican Rome to him who save
! the life of a citizen in battle, the Gubcrnaforii
t dignity in our State should bo reserved for thtw
, i of iicr sons, who have signalized themselves ii
i i
, j their services anfl by their devotion to her horn
r | and interest.
It is only in this light, that I view the mode r
'
T ! his appointment as important. A popular vot
4 l would oprn a wider field f..r competition, an
place tig^tflittcririg prize fartiier bpyond the rear
[ of fal^Em! the influence of intrigue and prival
1 m-innmn^nl. It is in this ooint of view. tllOU<r
J not considering it of any great importance, that
, I would support a proposition, should nm- bo sub
? mil ted, to make the election of Governor popula
, I will, however, say, that the prospect of a fit-el
, ing such a change is exceedingly slight Tli
. present mode of election, is fixed by tli** Constiti
, tion. Arid as, according' to the present r.?tio r
( representation, the Parishes possess an influenr
, :,i 1 c rh of ion of Governor vastly disprnporlionat
, w'nt jt v. r u! i n 'he popular vote, we c i
ef rotn that region t-> f.i
i v > irrcndcr tin ir'tnfiuener
i 'here is but lb 11
. i. i it. (loiistitulion in this par
ti: ' however desirable ehan
"it! kindred matters of a pure!
. . do ii r.. >.i. t r, in times like tiicsc, it behoove
. j u.> not to si.ni.r our energies to be wasted, or on
eiiunxls : ? be distracted by them. Amend then
! if conveniently you irny, hot never !os? sight, fo
i a moment, of tiic great issues before the countrj
involving the form of our Government, 1ho publi
I liberty, yea, the social organization and polities
i existence of the Jrouth. Lot us husband a!l oil
strength for the coming storm, that even nov
looms over our heads and shrouds us in its dark
iicsi. A furious, and to a certain extent vicloriou
i assailant thunders at our gates. Tho stern am
! fanatical abolitionist, goaded on by malice an:
; hate, but cloaked in philanthropy, and invokin/
! the name of God and Ilciigion, seeks to nihver
in blood our social institutions, and to involve in i
i j common ruin the white and the black races of ou
! country, lie united and firm : he circumspect
hut unnppnUcd.
To tiic 4th qnrction : " For which of the candi
. dates for the Presidency iv.ll you cast your vote, i
, elected ?"
i if in the foregoing, I have not sufficiently an
^ ' 9 were J, I now answer, for Mr. Polk. My reasons
I arc, that I am an advocate " for free trade, low
r* j duties, no debt, separation of the (Government
)r : from banks, economy, retrenchment and a strict
j adherence to the Constitution." I consider Mr.
u C'jtv as the anti, o !es or all these. Fie is in favor
s* , of a r< .chart r..f a U. S?ut s Bank, a li gh protcc.
j tive Tar tf, of a spbmdid scheme of Intern tl lin1'
provemen's.of a distribution of the pr??ce dsof the
10 ; sites of the Public I.-iiids, and of the abolition
'? of the Presidential Veto. lie is against the An.
nexation of Texas, except on impossible conditions.
11 la position on that question was taKon wiui a
view to tln? Abolition vote, in open and shamt-lc*#
lt violation or al! Iiis former opinion", and even
a" liia cffirul acts ; a pige in his history hut a little
lege dark th in his famed coalition with John Cj.
J Adams in 183-1. There is but little doubt but that
,c the entire Abolition vote will be given for Mr.
>c Cur. (low any man, with Ins opinions and po,s
litical associations and adjuncts, can receive the
? support of any SoqiIimmm', is a thing beyond my
"* i-nmprehcosion. 'Jit*,e
, I have answered, I hope, explicitly, so as to be
misunderstood by none. There is much that I
0 j hive omitted which I desire to have said, but feet
0 that I could not encroach farther upon these
. columns.
:r | Very rcsjieetfully,
i GEO. YV. DARGAY.
ie
s.
" For the Farmers' Gazette.
Mr. Editor : As T acknowledge, to the fullest
extent, the right of the voter to demand atr'expression
of opinion upon all matter* of a public nature,
v from those who proposo to represent him, I will,
as briefly as possible, reply to the several interrogatories
propounded in your paper of the 17th
inst., over the signature of " Marlborough." Tim
' first interrogatory i" :
c VV-II you, if vote for the c?!l of a
s St i n Convention to Nullify the Tariff law of
I.! 1842 ,
? I will not ; and for the reason", that every con.
I - * J MiL 1 1 --.It--.
, , Sioeranon or ^onil l lim unu n-JUim p'-n-jr riiinjna
.. prompt us to abido tire result of the Presidential
? election : that the agitation of this question now,
M is a breach of the plcd'je made by the State in
r. ' 1810, ift? r the passage of tlrs law ; that all hasty
and premature agitation of this question, will cer)(,
Wiinly lead loan irremidaWe breach in the Demo.
1C | eratic. and defeat the very end proposed; that
^ ! only orn^Hit of tllP nine of our National Repreaen.
;c ' tativw recommend such a proceeding; that we
should advise first with the purest patriotism and
0 j highest wisdom of the State, and should prefer
;n taking ouis el from "Fort Hill" rather than"fJlutf[II
, 9
c ton."
^ ' 2. Wi'l you advocate or sustain a call 'or
a Southern Convention to r-edmss the griev ?n?
10 c*s of the South as to the Tariff, and to de. /
n. vise mean# for the annexation of Texas V*
in I will not ; and for the reason that to advocate
it- or sustain" such a proposition, a? a Lc^inlafor,
>c would dp a palpable violation of the Constitution
id of the United States. What f might doae a private
citizen is a very differ-nt matter; such a proj>osal
it ! has been made from our State, and it umt with on
1 favor. Whenever any of our sister States may
a. seem dispose to counsel with us in this way, I am
11 willing, as a citizen, to co-operute.
f. ' Wili you vol" for the proposed alteration
4 of the Constitution limiting the Judicial tenure
to 65 yours "
I will not ; and for the reasons: that it will de.
11 prive the State of the ??rvifwa of some of the most
c eminent and valuable *f her citizens; that it is
impossible to fix the period of life for the decay of
if .
the mental faculties ; thai the present Conntifu.
' 1 . ?. o vontAWol Wu Iru til
I'lVV, auil|U||^iu? n lUti'ir'M * | Vw.n%
lion, is amply sufficient to accomplish all tlie
grod proposed by this innovation, whilst it at tlie*
saino time avoids all lite evil.- tint must necessarily
' result (rem a rule so a bilrary.
" ' 4. Are you in favor of giving tlte clec"
lions of President, Vne President and Gov?
>r ern ?r directly to the People V*
y To the first brancli of this interrogatory, 1 an,
s-vor : that I am in favor of giving the Fic tion of
,f K'eetors of President an?i Vire President directly
I to the People; and for these rcaFons?that it was
rj ?o designed by the Conftitntion, and is in harmn.
|U ny with the spirit and genius of our Republican
,c institutions; that the President should directly
ls rt fleet the nggreg.tte popular will, constituting, as
|, be does, a portion of the law' making power.
^ To the second branch of the interrogatory, I
j answer: that I have beer, heretnfore, opposed to
i| altering the Constitution in this particular. The
,e ffice of Governor is merely executive, not pos.
i? 3. saing the Veto power, and having nothing to do
,r with making the laws, any further than to suggest
and recommend to tin- Legislature such measures
jf as he may derm promotive of the public welfare.
f. This office bus bun looked upon as one of high
,1 distinction in our .State, though possessing but
h lillic of patronage or f?ower, and f think atiil
sh"uld be bestowed as the crowning honor of a
I, life of distinguished usefulness. An there is no
I principle involved in this question, and as I view
_ it with feelings of indifference, if it shall b? a seer.
r> ; taincd to be the will of the People that the Con.
[. ststation sboul I be altered in this respect. I can
r havcri > diili -ulty in complying with that will.
, 4 5 Are you in favor of giving the puh.
io Printing to ti e b?west bidder, provided ho
?*:? furnish 'he neceswuy security loi its faith0
ml perform a ne-v iri?tevL-*f mistaintng party
e b u:ks wi'lioni qu litleatioii or' energy to re?
n I " ' " '?*
;i I \lv answer t<> this is in llm affirmative.
4 ?> Are you in favor n|'liquidating the Rink
of Miu S; itor of enlarging its means ?"
' I am not in favor of 4* liquidating the Hank of
the .State," For such a measure to be adopted by
the Legislature about to be assembled, would not
- alone !> unwise, but suicidal in the extreme, ft
'f would scatter, with a lavish hand, distress and
s i rain over every portion of the State, derange the
r finances of the Government, and force the Lcgis.
11 iulnro lo incrca^ellte tax's to an enormous amount,
" which the present depressed state of agricultural
'? produce could illy bear. If there is any one fact
c that seems to be established clearer than another,
'' it is this, that all reforms and changes in rnoncta.
r ry affairs, should l>e slow and gradual, giving time
v for the habits and condition of the P< oplc to adopt
themselves to them, rather than forcing the change
s' upon them. I am not in favor of enlarging the
" means of the bmk; they are abundantly sufficient
to accomplish the ends designed by the State.
7 { Vcry respect fidly,
l| WM. T. ELLERBEE.
* j Marlboro*, Sept 20, 184-1.
Fir the Fanner?T Gjzctte.
Ma. Editor: In reply to the enquiries of
*' " Many Voter#," propounded to me a?a candidate
^ to represent ifit people of Darlington in the Legislature,
I answer: ^
' firet.?F am opp?-5cd to the o&Iling of a Con- 8