The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-01-04
From the Baltimore Clipper.

- COHIc WIN PhStcuu W uuS" "'S'
in predicatlon, have assumed TO say that
the day msy not be dislsn. when our proud
institutions will be caused to tremble, and
finally, like ancient republics. topple ana
fall. Others again, discard all such prog
nostics, and tell lis that the foundation OF
American republicanism, stands firm as
the rock Of ages-that the strong arm of
the law, the inalenable and inherent
rights Of freedom, together with an ire
proachable Constitution, will defend her
until she sinks, wrecked by the potent ele-
ments Of nature, into her original chaos.
Others again, pretend to have foreseen
lack of political intelligence and virtue
upon the part Of our law-givers and law
defenders-think that because the spirit
Of party feeling is carried to so high a
pitch, and that selCinterest too much
usurps the claims Of true patriotism. In
this, perhaps there may be too much truth.
To compare our public men now with
those who formed the basis of our gov
ernment, and struck the first blow in the
great cause Of fre edom, the contrast is
too obvious. Then, the great considera-
ton was, to accomplish that which would
tend to universal good, without having
any reference at all TO individual emolu-
ment. When the utility Of q principle or
measure become obvious, it was not a
continued wrangling between parties and
partzans, who should have the ascenden-
cy, claim the honor Of its first promulga.
ton and also OF bringing it to bear, but it
was carried forward by concert Of
prompt and immediate action, and char
acteriued by unanimity of feeling, which
gained the appreciation of all. There
were no private caucuses to project secret
plans through private interest, to carry
out measures Numerically opposed to
general good, and initiating against the
very first principles of human right. The
love of country was then engraven upon
each heart, which was the great and no.
bic incentive 10 deeds Of glorious patri.
oiism.
We would not censure our present dig
nifed functionaries, who preside over the
destinies of growing and happy nation,
but merely wonder how they would look,
and how their proceeding would meet the
to transplant them in the situation of those
who legislated in The days VI our revolu-
tionary struggle. Then, each moment
lost, was as leaf fallen from the tree Of
liberty, or drop of blood taken from the
heart of freedom. We are truly happy
that the transposision is impossible.
All republics heretofore established.
contained within themselves the seeds of
their cwn destruction, we mean those
which have long since emerged into des-
potism. This, then, teaches Us an impor-
tant national lesson, and that is, to guard
against the evils which have caused the
downfall Of others. We have nothing to
fear-no enemy which can in the least ef-
feet US, but the one which exists within
our own borders, and that is party strife,
scsm and disunion-a contention, as It
were, for self-interest and personal agran-
disement. Our public men are too apt to
forget that they hre public servants-paid
by the public to transact their business,
without any reference but their veal.
There can be but little doubt as yet re-
lalive to the permanency of our govern
ment. we POSSESS advantages superior
to any other republican system ever form.
ed. First, our Constitution has been tried
in the ordeal of wisdom and found to be
perfect; and secondly, there exists among
us one great and important principles
upon winiic," all agree and others again of
an obnoxious nature, which we all rspu-
diate and condemn. We all agree upon
the grand and broad principle OF republi-
canism. Whatever may be our diff culties
or differences in reference to minor points,
yet we come back to that, and rally round
the star spangled banner and The proud
eagle of liberty as band of brothers,
We have no hereditary aristocracies to
oppress the poor-our institutions Of learn
ing are open to ail-the peasant can rise
to eminence, while those who roll in the
lap Of luxury can do no more. We are
a free people, estimated by our intelli-
gence and virtue. Our character does not
depend upon ephemeral and sordid dross,
but upon those superior adorning qualities
which spring up in the immoral mind
We have distributive wealth. which. by
circumstances, may fall into the hands Of
one and then into those Of another. Thus