The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-02


and sympathies to party whose designs
are thus hidden and mysterious! Is she
prepared to battle for, she knows not
what? To forget her own principles, anu
ioin in the wild and maddeniDg cry OF re-
volution!
But the present administration is most
solemnIy pledged to those principles
which we hold as dear and sacred. we
have not only the pledge of Mr.. VAN bU-
Rem, but, what is better, the unanimous
pledge of the party which sustalns him.
The Convention, which nominated MN
for reelection, took its position boldly
and without disguise. Pledged as it is to
the doctrine Of strict construction ana
the unqualified support Of the peculiar In
s,itutions of the South, we find in it no
thing 10 condemn, but much to approve
The political faith of that body, is the
faith OF The party throughout the country.
THERE'S no evasion, no subteriuge. hhe
PRINCIPLES of JEFFERSON constitute the
basis ofits uni on. 1t isnot for us to sPecu'
late upon the consistency OF Mr.. VAN
BuREN, or the motives which placed MIN
and his party in their present position.
The contest is for principle, and we can
be true 10 ourselves, only by giving him
our caunlenancc and support.
There can be no good reason why
South Carolina should preserve an attl'
tude of neutrality; but, opposed as she 49,
to the motley combination which forms
the Whig party, it becomes her TO vote
against its monstrous pretentions. When
we contemplate the deep delusion Of SO
many thousands of the Southern people,
we want words to express our astonlsh,
ment That SO large a portion should
have been enticed from their proper alle-
glance, and drawn into the support OF
party which has no affiliation with them,
against an administration which at peri
Cd of peculiar peril, has pledged its whole
power to the support of our rights and
interests, is political phenomenon, which
is rarely exhibited. But while we regret
this division, we fondly hope that the day
is not far distant, when the South will be
united TO man, On the ground now occu-
pied by our State. Threatningas as may be
the signs of the times, we will not des-
pair Of the Republic. There must be suf-
ficien, virture and intelligence in the peo-
ple to awaken them souner o: later, from
the delusion under which they labor
When General HARRISON comes into pow
er, brief period, l think. will deVelope
The character of his administration, and
fully the course of South Caro-
lima.
In contemplating the present condition
Of things, nothing alarms me SO much
for the stability Of our political ins'itu'
il ms, as the growing corruption in our
elections. The monstrous frauds which
have been developedin many parts of our
country, must awaken in the bosom OF
The patriot, emotions of the most painful
character. Our only security rests in the
purity of the elective franchise. If men
IRE to be sold in our market like cattle,
soon our country will not be the nursery
,f rrcenien, but the miserable abode of dc.
GRADED slaves. From the peculiar nature
Of our political organization. purity in
elections is indispensable. The sovereign
power resides in the people, andif they
become unfit for the purposes Of govern
nent, all is lost. am sorry to believe
hat, throughout our country, the spirit
Of party has, to great extent, taken the
place of patriotism. Love of country isl
merged in party devotion; uuder this fell
influence, principle is forg olten' the Con-
;litulion violated, the rights of States In.
gadcJ, and the public morals trodden un-
der foot. 1t becomes US, fellow-citizens,
Is The people Of one of the soVereingn
States of this Confederacy, TO guard
against this most destructive influence,
and do our duty to our common country.
feel assured that the present Presidential
canvass. has been marked by deeper and
more widespread corruption, than any
former event in our history; and that, if
The pure and virtuous of the land do not
soon come to the rescue. we will, ere
ong, be involved in all the perils OF
bloody revolution.
Would could believe that this was but
a picture Of fancy, and not the sober die
!aie of reason. Though il be true that
South Carolina has not reached that depth
Of corruption, which we find in the more
crowded communities Of other sections,
she cannot claim exemption. There is
loo often an impurily in our elections,
which is discreditable to virluous and
enlightened people. Too often we see
;onorance triumph over wisdom, vice over