Winyah Observer

              TTT Ti^sa
ini
Vol. IX.
We will cling to the Pillars of the Temple of our Liberties, and if it must fall, we will Perish amidst the Ruins."
No. 4t54
<i»ji -M.,„mmiimir,'.,*n ..I ....UM.
B. Waterman, Editor.
Georgetown, S. C, Wednesday, October 25,1848.
E. WatermcB, Jzij Froprielcr.
From the Charlestou Af'-rrury.
Hon. A. P. Bntler, in Edgefield.
On Mondav, the 2d iuptant, a large and respectable meeting of the citize'ns Of Edgetield District was addressed by feUl" distinguished Senator and Represen- jl Iy during thoir indebtedness ; but every
ed the interest of Soulhern Slaveholders. Slavery in reality has little to fear from the Mexican population. The Peons, to all practical intents, are slaves. They are, it is true, bound by law to serve on-
teliv^ie in Congress^ the Hon. A. P. Butler and ihe Hon. A. Burt.
They discussed with much ability the leading topics that novv agitate the coun¬ try. We vvill not try lo gi /e their views at length, nor attempt even a summary of their arguments, for we feel our ina¬ bility to do them justice. We ofl'er, therefore, only the substance of their o- pinions on isolated matters.
Our able Senator rose amid applause, and wilh a power of thought and elo¬ quence ihit truly distinguished him, pas¬ sed in rajjid review all the great |iolitical subjects of the day. He intended his re¬ marks, he said, as a familiar talk with his
one acquainted vvith the institution, is a ware that the Peon is in a state of servi¬ tude little less than perpetual bondage, and in condition is, if anything, worse than   that of the   African slave in the i
claim to if. Hc felt indignant, and his blood boiled when he reflected on this gross outrage upon the riglits ofthe South. If our ancestors coukl'havo foreseen that such vvould have been tho abuse of tho powers of the Fjderal Government, tliey would have suffered niiirtyrdom before they had entered into the compact.
It vvas, however, another example of the unjust and unequtd operation of ihe Federal Government,   which has char-
Southern Stales. He is worse fed, worse Ij acterized it ever   since   its formation.
to the utmost. The Constitution guards'l of designing politicians, who have misled- against this unrighteousexerciseof legis-jj him. Hod he kept firmly his first re- baive power, by interposing th« Execu- ji solve lobfllhc candidate of no parly, ha tive veto. This is a high conservative jl v.-ou!d hnve been the man for the times, power in the Constitution to protect the i| With his great reputation and high char- minority. Iris, therefore, a strong arm acter for integrity, he might havo guc- ofde^encefor fhe South. ceeded in breaking down the old party
It might ba expected he   would say ! works lhat have been used entire'y  for
something on Ihe Presidential  election. He believed the South would have httle
I party purposes, and given  more  liberal character To our National  Legislation.
to hope from the President whoever hc jl In ihis way ho migbt bave conierred a
maybe.    Neither Gen.   Cass nor Gen. f great bles.sing on the  country.    But ha
, .        .        , ,        , , ,, Tavlor will have the power to relieve us. I has yielded entirely his original indepen-
clad, and forced to equal seventy of   la- ,;; There is no denying, that  the tendency ! Lgj\^,,,jj,|,, ^^.jji ^^ elected, he will labor j dent position, and is now become, doubt-
unaer party embarrassments, lhat will j; 'ess, an easy instrument in the hands of hinder, it is lobe feared, all efforts to do i. Northern Whig politicians. There is that which is right for the South.    Eifh- j then, liltle hope for the South from him.
bor. Alongside oftbis institution, Afri can Slavery has nothing to fear. Tlie Mexican landlord, in order to protect himself, would find it necessary to sus¬ tain the American master. Practically viewed, therefore, the institution of Sla¬ very would be in little danger in New i Mexico and California.
of the Government has been lo mako aggressions upon the rights of the weak¬ er portions of this Confederacy. Tlie North, wilh its numerical majoi-ity, has encroaclied upon the Soulh in our Na,- tional Legislition, till the latter is be¬ come poor and powerless.    When this
Ij Coni'ederaoy  was  first   formed,    a   fi- But the bill, asto its legal provisions, 'i ner country than the Southern Slates old friends and neifdibors ; but his argu- ! "^^es  not  overlook the interests of the (i was never watered by the devvsoflleav- menls were grave, and enforced   by fre-I South.    In so much as relates to Oregon, || en.    Commerce and trade  smiled upon quent bursts of stroma and   fiery elo-Ji there is a care for Soulhern rights, and i'her sliores ; and vve presented an e.\am-
er candidate will, when elecled, be the il     Gen. Cass is to be preferred  to Gen. mere leader ofhis part}', governed by  itr; |; Taylor mainly because  he is the organ
il a nice regard for Southern feelings. The
pie of prosperty and hapfiiness, almost unparalleled. But since the epoch of our Union, vve have gradually dwindled in prosperity, till we are  become  weak
is past. The war, perhaps, vvas the un¬ avoidable result of circumstances not in the povver of the Goveinment to control. The Mexicans are a peculiar people, dis- tractel by political dis.sensions, and rul¬ ed by military chiefttiins.    To have set-
ment, the South, originally fertile and prosperous, has been drained of her wealth, which has been spread lavishly ove'- the once barren regions of the North and East. If we talte from a rich field all its fertalizing substance, vvhich it may produce from year to year and scatter il over a barren soil—which, in the course of time, vvill be the richer?
quence.
The Mexican war. he urged, was   ac- |l ''i" gave the people ofthat  lerriiory the cidentally the fruitful source ofthe evils ij I'ight to  elect a   Legislative Assembly, that novv   disquiet   the   country.    Ho |j '''^ acts of which, unless negatived by would not, at present, undertake to speak ii C"ongi-ess, vvere tobe the  municipal  law !j and  impoverished.    What  has   caused ofthe orio-in of  the war.    That  matter •- ofthe territory.    And the act by the for- ;| this change ?    It has been broughl upon
mer local Legislature prohibiting .Slave- ji us by the abuse of the distribution oj ry, was to be suspended for tvvf) yeai-s-,\ power conveyed by the Conslifiilion. vvith the riglit on the part ofthe Legisla- ' By ihe administration of the Govern- live Assembly at-lhe end of lhat time, jiermanently lo establish or lo prohibit Slaverj-. tied our diifieulties vvilh them may have j| As to New Mexico and California, the rendered necessiiry the arbitrament of i| Executive Council and Judges, conslitu- the sword. Ofihis, however, he would ii ting fhe Terriiorial Legi.slaturo, vvas to not now inquire. The war h.is t-aken\ have general]>owers of Legislatio7iw'iih place—it hasbeen nohly fought, at the ll five exceptions, viz : vvilh the usual ex- expense of millions of treasure, and of j ception of disposing of siiil, &c., and ex-j much of the best blood ofthe country.'! cept the ;>ro/V/tit'^i'ci/i or f.v/«i!i/t's//7n£'?i^ of,{ The answer is plain. A^ow this is the With pride, he could s.aj-, it has atlded] African Slavery. All questions touch-ji''-istory of the North and Soulh ; and this great glory to our arms ; but out of it , ing the title to slaves were lo be referred t '^ tbe practical operaiion of the Govein- liave sprung questions of momentous in- j to the Judges of the Supreme Court, i '"*"t. The Federal compact Jias been terest lo the Soulh, and which, il is lo be \ witii the right of appeal lo the Supreme '\ f"^'' tl'e .South then, a bad bargain. It is feared, vvill greatly endanger the Union, j Court of the United Stales. It is not'j C'f no use lo deny it. Shall the Union, In disjw.s'ing of the territory, acquired by j reasonable to suppose lliat this court, |'''erefore be dissolved ? No! itis, per- the war, all the angry passions of preju- , with high handed injustice, would give a i hirps too late to rescind the contract, dice and fanaticism have been excited. ,, decision by which a large amount of val- This was unfortunate. It might, per- uable property vvould be entirely forfci- liaps, have been avoided. On \)i-'ii':c'i\)\e ted. The court would bc constitutional- he vvas opposed to the acquisition ofnevv ly bound, in his juigment, to protect the lerriiory. We have already as much as properly which the joint owners hold vve can control; it is inexpedient and under tire Constilution, when carried dangerous to acquire more. History npon the joint or common territory. teaches that .small States well organized But, notwithstanding all this, the bill did are better suited to the ends of govern- not allngelher satisfy him. Congress, i This vvoiild be adding to our wrongs ment, and are usually  more prosperous    u/ider the Constitution, might have   af-il ^^e should hold on lo the Union until we
inijlinations and checked by its wiil, This can, under existing circumstances, scarcely be otherwise. It is fhe natural result of the great parly conventions novv held in ihe countr.y, with fhe view of m.nking Presidents. He was utterly op- ,; posed lo all such informal  and irrespon-
oftlic Democratic party. It is fo fhi,--, party the Soulh must look for assistance —if, indeed,she is toexpectanyaid North of Mason's and Dixon's line. We have, iit is true, friends at the Norlb. ; men who vvould cheerfully aid us in estab¬ lishing our rights if ihey did  not fear to
The injury is already done. We are now, piobably, too weak to stand alone. The Union, at its formation, found us wealthy, prosperous and happy ; it has made us weak, poor and discontented. Shall vve novv be discarded, when we are most in want ofthe Union, or al least, when vve are less able to do wiihout it ?
sible bodies. They are dangerous lo the ' provoke the indignation of their con.'»ti!- Constilution. They offer a mode of'I uency ; but so strong is the force of pub- electing ihe President never contempla- jj lie opinion al thc Tv'orlh on the subject led by the framcrs of the Governmenl. ij of slavery, that fhe members of Congress They are in fact, a miserable substitute j! irom that section dare not yield a point, Ibr the plan pointed out by the Constitu- i witlioul ihey do it under the pretext of tion.    Ift iheir organization the  smaller j: a comproinise.
States are deprived of thier just influ¬ ence, and the action ofsuch Conventions is   wholly   irresponsible.    It    proceeds
We must not, then, trust loo niirch lo any party or men  at tho North.'    Tlio \ best lerms lhat can, in reason,   be  pro-
rarely Irom the prominent  men   of   the i posed, will fail  to   satisfy   the   South, parlies, or from authorized agents ofthe Ij Should Gen, Cass be elected the Missoii-
people ; but ralher from a heedless set of small politicians, vvho enter the Conven¬ tion without a fair representation of their constitueney, and cssunie lo themselves the high prerogative of making Presi¬ dents.    Much  belter  for   the country
ri Compromise vvill most probably be offered. IfGen. Taylor be President, a n. vv Compromise vvill, it is thought, be proposed on a line cA'longitude in.slead of I latitude vvhich, by giving all the coun¬ try on the Pacific to flie free Stales,   will
vvere the Congressional caucuses held jj most effectually exclude the South fiom formerly lo nominate candidates for the j a'l the territory that is really worth in- Presideiicy.    The men  vvho   acted  in ij habiting.
these caucuses were the regular repre¬ sentatives of the people from the differ¬ ent States; men of cliaracter and stan-
To avert this iss-ae, the South should ba active. Above all, she should be uni¬ ted.    Union   is   all that   cnn save w.
tling, who always   brought   before   the jl It would be well for the Legislatures of couniry,  for   Chief Magistrate   of the ^ the dillbs-enl Slates to  have  conctirrent
resolutions on tho sub;ect of our difli¬ culties, so that in failure of proper action
Union,   candidates   cf   eminence  and
abilitj'.
are indemnified for the past; unlil we have restored some  of the wealth un-
and powerful, than large nations, harras- ' forded protection to the Southern .Slave- sed by sectional prejudices, and ruled by , holder by positive   enactment.    In car- unwieldy majorities, j! rying put the lerms of the Federal  com-! lawfully seized from us.    But vve should But the most dangerous evil resulting   pact in good faith,  it was bound  to do ! if we intend to continue longer inth from the acquisition of territory, is the    this.    But the bill, vvith its defects, vvould '] Union, claim our rights under   the Con- question raised in relation  to Slavery,    have been better for the  South than the ¦'^titution, and   demand  security for  the This is a matter of the deepest interest to   Missouri Compromise.    By the  latter, i future.    Compromi.ses are fatal.    They
tbe .South.    Il is the setlied policy ofthe    in all the country North of 36   30, Sla- Nortii and North-west to  limit, and  if   very would be excluded.    Nowthi^isby
abandon our rights.    In   principle they are to be utter! v condemned.    He would
possible, to exterminate, the institution    far the besl porlion of the new  Territo-jj be willing to submit to them on no terms, ,      ,r o „ pa •   i-   i
of Slavery.    No one  who has   mingled    ries.    Nearly   all  the fertile lands   and j except as aj^wa/adjusttnent ofthe difEJ 'y'«''s will and pleasure, and controlled jj ""P'"™''^"!^'''^'¦^'""'^'^^n ^
There is too great a fear among us at | by. Congress, the Unit d Soulh mtiv seeing the election go into the House of jj make asiiccessl'ul move for the protec- llepresentatives.    Let it go there.    The ij tion ofherrights.
Constilution was wise in making provis- |     These views were enforced  by manv ion for it to go into the House. TVtere the    happy illusi rations, and   with frequent power of the smaller Slates will   be  felt,    bursts of impassioned eloquence. They may often control the   election, j     We repeat, we do not give this a. a The votes are taken by States, and the n n,!l abstract of Judge  Butler's speech-
nor has tlie above account undergone his
revision,
'¦OLD NINETY-SIX."
candidate, when elected, vvill be regarded
and will consider himself the President of '!
the States.    This is what he  should be. j
It is what the Constitution designs   him
to be : an honest   Trustee   cf   all   ihe '|
States, and iiot tbe mere organ ofa par- \     ^'"^ Honest and Good Heart.—h is
ty.    By the present  mode   of election, |i ''""i^'e, because it feels hovv far its good-
thePresident is the   simple  representa-|i ""^^^ ^^ ''''°'" extending unto God, and
live ofhis party—looking almost entire- ij ''"'^ "i"^^^' ^'"^'"^ '« that belongs to tho
with men and events at Washington, can rich mines, lie in this  region.    North  of; doubt   of this  fact.     It vvas  strikingly the Missouri Compromise line, there are j shown in the discussion  at the close  of many beautiful tracts of country.   Much ' the last  session of Cqngress.    In utter , ofthe land is highly productive ; the gold ; despairof securing for the South her full mines  exceedingly   rich;   and   the cli-j rights in the teriitories, various compro- mate delightful.    In comparison with re- riu'ses vvere offered on liberal  and gener- gion South ofthe line, vvhere nearly all is ous terms to the North ; but   they  were barren and dry, tlie country is a Para- all obstinately rejected.    A Committee dise.    By the Missouri Compromise the was appointed with every degree oflibe- South vvould be deprived of nearly all of ral feeling and fairness, to adjust the dis- these valuable   binds.    By this division pule.   It was composed of men intending the  North    and West would gain   all. well to the South; eager to secure har- They received, during the  xvar,  all the mony ; and inclined to respect the most patronage of the Government in the way
delicate fei'ling of .Southern men.    The of military appointments, &c., and  now
Committee, no doubt, labored with hon- they are to double the operation by   re-
est zeal to effect the object  of tin ir ap- ceiving all the valuable territory.    They jl terms and spirit of the   compact.    The
pointmeut.    They reported a bill, vvhich, get the lion's share.    The South gets lit- !J Bank amf Tariff, therefore, increasing as
cully. The Soulh should standonihc Constitution. She should insist that it | be carried out in letter an;l-spirit. If the Government be fairly and honestly ad¬ ministered, prosperity may yet return to i us. It is necessary, however, to change the current of Legislation. Th,3 Gov¬ ernment must cea,se to create monopo- i lies, It must legi.slate for all sections alike. He vvas of the Old Republican School, that believed this Government to he "an organized Republic of Confedera¬ ted States;" that consequently, any legislation having a tenden y to promote the interest of one section, to Ihe mani¬ fest injury   of  another, is  against the
by itin his official acts.    Such, we   are ', .
bound lo believe, will be the position of Gen's. Cass and Taylor. He had only a few words to say in regard to tliese can¬ didates.    He believed them both to   be
vices,   itis submissive, because he that
is of GoOTearelh God's vvord.s, and re¬ ceives them with implicit faith antl thankful acquiesence. It glories not iu its attainments, or in  its spiritual  |'io-
011 its face, was liberal and fair. True, erally nothing. She gave her money il was not all the South had aright toask, and shed hei blood; she received from for it did not fully/>ro/ec< the rights of the Government none ofthe high milita- slaveholders in the- territories; but it ry ofEces; nnd now, in the distribution saved the Aowor ofthe Soulh by avoid- ofthe territories acquired by the com.- ingalj legislatioo by Congress on the sub- \ mon blood and treasure of all, she ig not ject of slavery; and then, most proba- ' only to be deprived of her rightful '[lor- hly, fox all practical purposes, it guard-1 t\on,hvit insvlted when she sets up her
they do the sources of weafth and the palronage of povver at the North and East, and Internal Improvements by the General Gover7inient, adding immensely to the local wealth and influence of the Western States, are unequal distribu¬ tions of governmental favors,  vvhich it
honest and  patraotic.    Gen. Cass   is a Ij S'''-^«' because it is written, that il is God gentleman, amiable in character, of band-il''^"t'"'^''«^"^'' ^^ '''"'^''  f''^'" anoiher'.s somelilerat-y attainments, well informed j "'"' ^''^'^'"^ resisteth the proud,  but giv- on the political subjects of the country, !| ^^'^ 6'=^^*^ "'"» ^^^ humble, and having no sectional bigotry, norun- | ""¦
kind feeling to the Soulh. He is, how-:j Business before Pleasure.—A man ever; ra.her facile of character, and j who is very rich now was very poor would, perhaps, find it diliicult to repel If when he was a boy. When asked hovv the importunities of office seekers. In j, he gol his riches he re|)lied ;—" My fatli- politics he is thoroughly democratic— j' er taught me never to spend money un- though fie is not fully sound on the slave- j; til I had earned it. Ifl had but half an ry question. |' hour's work to do in  a day   '.'. must  do
Gen. Taylor isa man of Roman sim- J! 'hat the first thing, and in half an hour. plicity of character. With the skill ol a i! Alter this was done, I vvas allowed to great Military leader, like Camillus, he ;' play; and I could then play with much possesses, likewise, a high degree of ad- ij more pleasure than ifl had the thought ministrative talent; but called from the ii ofan unfinished task before my mind, field of miliiary science, in which he was {j I early formed the habit, lo which 1 owe skilled, to the political arena, to employ j my prospe-ity." Let every boy vvho lis mind  on  subjects about   which he ii reads this go and do likewise,  iMid ha
becomes every Soulhern patriot to resist j is slightly informed, he fel! into the hands n will meet with a similar rew!ii'4.
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