Page:Nullification Controversy in South Carolina.djvu/120

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The First Test of Strength
101

their names be placed also on the State Rights ticket.[1]

There was to be elected at this time also a member of Congress from the Charleston district. William Drayton, the candidate of the Union party, was unopposed. A writer in the Courier remarked upon the humor of the situation which forced the Mercury and its followers to make the best of Colonel Drayton's candidacy, and to pretend to honor and admire him, when in reality they honored him as much as Shylock did Portia.[2]

The candidates for the state Senate were Richard Cunningham on the State Rights ticket and James L. Petigru in opposition. The former was elected by the small majority of twenty-five. The State Rights party tried to make much of this, but its opponents pointed out that Cunningham could not have been elected over Petigru if he had not assured his supporters that he was against nullification and a convention. Perhaps they hoped to be able to change his position after electing him.[3]

  1. Courier, October 1, 2, 1830; Journal, October 23.
  2. Courier, October 2, 9, 1830.
  3. 'The vote stood 1,268 to 1,243. Mercury, October 15, 1830; Courier, October 16. Poinsett Papers: a letter with this notation upon it: "Confidential — copy of a letter from a Gentleman dated Charleston, October 15, 1830."