The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-05-16

South Carolina did not descend to mingIe.
Her position, as the champion Of State
Rights, had become one of dignifed neu-
trality; and she chose not to soil her err
mine, in contest which involved oprin-
cipIe TO which she was pledged. The pro-
minent candidates for the Presidency pos
sessed not her confidence; and although
one of them had avowed preference for
the South, aud thereby-4+ad secured the
iayor OF some Of our people; yet the State
al large, preferred tostand aloof from the
the contest, until time should test the SIM
cerlty OF profession. That test has now
oeen applied, and the principles of action,
which govern parties, now stand open TO
the observation of the world. In the
heat OF the long continued canvass, they
have each been brought to take their true
position, and to range themselves under
leaders, whose principles cannot be mis-
taken. A c,mbination has been formed,
embracing all those materials, which have
so often threatened the peace and security
of the Union, and is now advancing in
full career to invade the rights Of the
South. An open war has been declared
againstthe present administration, because
it has dared to stand up, in defence of the
democratic principles of the constitution.
The partZans of abolition, of the tariff,
of banks, and consolidation in all its va
ried forms, have made common cause
Denouncing the President as "lhe north
ern man with southern principles they
thereby avow the groundwork of their
hostility, and so earnestly and zealously
/ sko;s
own purposes every element of strife,
that it has now become the duty of every
friend of his country 10 resist their farther
advances. Now, that the battle is waxing
warmest, and real danger threatens, it is
not in the generous nature of South Caro-
lima to decline the combat. Wherever her
friends and principles encounter danger,
there will ever be found her standard, adj
vancing 10 the rescue.
1t cannot be disguised, that the great
principles, which, now divide parties in
the Union, are precisely those, which
have been ever the subject Of controversy
since the foundation of free Governments.
There has always been found party
striving 10 ride over the Democracy, and
under one prctext or another it is found
in our country attempting 10 secure 10 its
yotaries the whole power and advantages
of the Federal Government. Finding
themselves hemmed in by the wisdom Of
the Constitution, they have resorted TO
the device of constructive powers, and
seek thereby to substitute the will Of Il
majority for the Magma, ,Charta of our Lii
berries. The people OF our State, in
common with their Brethren Of the South,
have ever held, that submission to such u
doctrine is, virtually, surrenderer Of the
very Citadel of our Liberties. It is in
fact repeal of the Constitution ITSELF
In this opinion were fully agreed both the
great parties which lately ngitated our
State. Their only difference was con-
corning the remedy against an infringe
ment of their rights. That difference has
been adjusted by events; and we now
again stand where all originally stood,
making common cause fnr the great prih-
ciples of Republican State Rights. Just
y may we hail the moment as an era,
when once again all the people of our
State can meet al ONE common altar in the
great cause Of our Country. All save that
nameless cohort which gave uncertain
support TO the Administration while it was
strongest; but which true to its own pre-
ference for Tariff, Banks and Consolida-
ton, now abandons its allies when assailed
and has made known its secession from
the great States Rights and Union party
of the South, by hosting in our City the e.
self same banner under which the Aboli-
tionist is marching to invade us.
Under these circumstances and believ-
ing as we firmly do, that for the South
the period has arrived, when every free
Patriot is bound to take his post, we but
owe it TO ourselves and the country, 10
declare the grounds upon which we range
ourselves with the friends Of the admins-
traion.
1t cannot be concealed, that the fixed
determination, with which the President
has carried out his inaugural declaration
against the schemes Of the Aboli,ionists,
has concentrated against him the whole
malice Of that faction. In every slate
where these incendiaries can collect the
least force, it is found invariably MARSHALL
ed against the administration; and il is
now become obvious that the defeat Of the
administration is regarded by them as a.
triumph Of their principles. So close is
the intimacy between the Opposition and
the Abollionist that even in the Halls Of
Congress when the dearest and universal
" acknowledged rights of the South are