The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-09-19
POLITICAL.
From the Charleston Mercury.
=. CLARENDON. Sent. / lS:

CLARENDON, sept. i, lSiO.
To John A. Stuart, ESQ.
Dear Sir:-i received yours this NOR.
ming, and hastily comply with your friend.
ly suggestion, to allow the use Of my name
and authority, to correct some of those
numerous mIss'atements of my conduc,
and opinions, which have appeared in SO
many anonymous, communications in the
Press. From the pause which short
time since intervened in the discussion OF
the Gubernatorial election, had boped
that tone Of moderation and good tenn.
per, which ought TO prevail on all occa
sions, and which has hitherto prevailed
or this subject, would characterize the
remainder of the Canvass. But in this
have been greatly disappointed. Accuse.
tions Of supporting the Proclamation and
the Force Bill' have continued to be al.
legged against me, without reason, and
without proof-while anonymous appeals
TO define my past and present position,
would show that all the usual devices oil
crying and hunting down man, have
been pnt in full and active requisili,n. In
the same spirit have been charged with
having been opposed to the Independent
Treasury System, because voted with the
majority of our Delegation in Congress to
postpone for a few weeks the further con-
sideration Of a very in perfect Bill, with a
view to add those saIutary notifications
which it has since received, and which
The abrupt termination Of short session
of six weeks, and The prolracted discus
sions Of the opposition, allowed no oppor-
tunity at that time of introducing. Hap.
PLY for my justification. my approval OF
the objects aid principles of that measure,
new aud startling as they were to many
others, was well known to portion of
my colleagues-to the administration it.
seIE-(and above all. to my constituents 10
have been as decided then, as it is now;
and the open and jealous manner in which
deemed it my duty to advocate it befure
the People l had The honor TO represent,
places my opinions on that subject Beyond
The doubts or insinualions Of any man.
will not affect insensibility to accusa.
,ions Of this kind. unjust and ungenerous
as they may he; and trust never TO arrive
10 that state Of "stoical perfection," in
which l would feel Indifferent to the man.
aer in which my conduct and principles
were estimated or discussed, by the People
of Suuth Carolina. Neither do COM
plain; or if know myself, would l wish
It to be otherwise.
II by such means, the State shall be
enabled the better to choose her Chief
gain willmore than coun-
lerbalance the Inconvenience or pain in
aic.ed in the canvass, on any Of her cili.
zens.
III understand the drift Of The Policy
sf those VIII" are So eIaborately criticising
ny pas, political course, It is, BY awake
ming up the biuer feelings which once divi-
led and agitated the Stale, to use them 10
ny disadvantage. Were the consequences
If this appeal TO old party prejudiccs, to
oe limited to this comparatively unimpor
ant object,-I should have but little objec-
ion to urge. But there is no rule of ex.
:lusion that could be derived from SO dab-
,erous and desperate an expedient, that
would not apply with equal force and JUS
ice, to the whole class of citizens will,
whom, decned it my duty on that occa-
ion to cooperate.
The strife of '32 and '33, passed away
ome seven years since. New political
questions, involving new political duties
lave arisen. Men have been thrown TO.
,ether, who we're formerly sunderland
h"se who were united, from the same
auses and influences, have been separated
rom each other. This is, as it should be.
70 allow past political differences, to turn
IS aside from the duty of the present, is to
acrifce our country to our enemies-and
envy not the feelings of those who can
toop over the slumbering embers of old
'arly feuds. and by raking in their ashes,
indie up flame, by which their political
opponents may be blackened or defor-
ned-dun the state be divided, weakened,
nd distracted. Ifto forgive, when wrong
d, is the dictate Of our nobler convictions,
ow much more obvious the duty of for.
citing past differences Of opinion merely, ]
'hen new questions and dangerous as
aults upon our rights, appeal to our pa
riotism for harmony and cooperation.
Kindness, generosity, and magnanimity,
ave ever characterised our noble state in
er conduct towards her public servants;
nd she cannot how be dragged down from
er old aad hoh6fed custom in this high
aspect Honesty Of purpose-fdelily to