The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-02
GOVER:NOR'S MESSAGE.
low Citizens of the Senate,

and of the House of REPRESENTATIVES
Since your asst meeting, an event OF
a most melancholy character has occurred
within our borders. South Carolina has
been called upon to mourn the death OF
her Chief Magistrate, the virtious and
patriotic NOBLE, who was cut down in The
yigor Of his days. with the fair prospect
of many more years Of usefulness and
honour. But while we regret his unlime-
ly death, as peoples loss, we can cher
ish with pride, the recollection of his un-
obrusive virtues, his deep devotion to
his State, and the many willing honours
which he received from his fellow-cilizens.
Discharging his duties in the various pub
lie stations to which he was called, with
uncompromising fidelity, it is no unmerl-
ted elogum to declare, that few public
men have enjoyed in so high degree the
esteem andconfdence of the people, and
left reputation so dear 10 Carolina. BY
a provision Of the Constitution Of our
State, at the period Of his decease, the
duties of Chief Magistrate devolved upon
me, and in the further discharge of my
duty, I address you on the present occa-
sion.
We have abundant cause Of thankful
ness to the Almighty Disposer of Events,
for the blessings which we have en-
Ijoyed during the past year. States
no less than individuals, should be ready
to acknowledge the divine goodness; and,
as the chosen representatives of the peo-
pie, you will carry into your deliberations
sense of your dependence upon Him,
and spirit of sincere, unaffected, devo-
ton to his will. Surely it cannot be said
that do violence to the liberties Of con-
science, when | call upon youto bow be-
lore that God whom we ell pro!rs" :"
worship; TO suppicale in earnestness and
sincerity that Power by whose will alone
nations stand, and at whose nod "desola-
ton cometh as whirlwind."
! As people we have been peculiarly
blessed. Amid the general pressure OF
the times, we have suffered but little.
while thousands and tens Of thousands OF
our fellow-citizens in other sections oi
the country, have been overwhelmed in
poverty and ruin. Go from neighbour.
hood to neighbourhood, througho our
territory, and, with the most inconsidera'
bic exceptions, every where you meet the
evidences OF comfort and plenty. The
problem is now solved, that with proper
eilnrt, the poor can become rich, and the
rich richer, within the limits Of Carolina
: The spirit of emigration to the fertile val
lies of the west, which drove so many o.
our people from their native soil, has in &
great measure subsidized, and been sue
cceded by patriotic devotion which every
succeeding yearservcs but to rrnglhen
The lessons Of dear bought experience
, have not been without profit. The gene
raj ruin which has tended greatly TO salts.
fy our people with their present home
and make them look to industry ard care
and not to the chances of speculation f"
? the means of improving their condition
Itis matter of sincere pride, that ou
leading interest, Agriculture, is now at
f., tracing unusual attention. The fact i
made manifest, that our lands, by Prope
cultivation, will yield an abundant pro
/. duct; and it is gratifying TO know, tha
r many of the first minds Of the State ar
now devotipg their energies to the subject
I Already the improvement in our system
e Of cultivation, is marked and decided
= and lands, which but few years ago wer
nlrcgarded as valuless, are ranked anon