The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-03-17

celebrated confederacy, and subsequently,
Of all its members, is mainly TO be attri.
huted. And it is owing to the absence OF
that spirit that the Helvelic confederacy
has for so many years been preserved:
Never has there been seen in the instltu.
,ions Of the separate members OF any
confederacY more elements of dlscord.-
In the principles and forms Of government
and religion, as well as in the circumstan-
ces Of the several cantons, so marked
discrepance was observable, as to prom
isc any thing but harmony in their inter-
course or permanency in their alliance
And yet for ages, neither has been inter-
rupted. Content with The positive bene-
fits which their union produced. with the
independence and safety from foreign ag-
gression which it secured, these saga
cious people respected the institutions of
each other, however rePugnant to their
own principles and prejudices.
Our Confederacy, fell"w-cilizens, can
only be preserved by The same forbeara ce.
Our citizens must be content with the ex-
ercise Of the powers with which the Con-
stitu,ion clothes them. The attempt OF
ole Stale to control The domestic institu-
tlons Of another, can only result in feel
ings of distrust and jealousy, the Ger.
tain harbingers Of disunion, violence c'.
vii war, and the ultimate destruction oi
our free institutions. Our Confrderacy is
perfectly illustrated by tire terms and
principles governing common c"Part'
ncrship. There fund Of power IS to be
exercised under the direction VI the joint
councils of the allied members. but that
which has been reserved by the individual
members is intangible to the common Go
vernment or the individual members COM
posing it.. To attempt it finds no support
in the principles of our Constitution. II
should be our constant and earnest endea-
vor mutually to cultivate a spirit of con-
cord and harmony among the various parts
of our Confederacy. Experience has
abundan!ly taught us that the agitation by
citizens of one part of the Union of IL
subject not con6ded to the General Co.
vernment. but cxcI>ivel y under the guar
dianship of the local authorities, is pro-
ductiyc of no other consequences than
bitterness, alienation. discord, and INJURY
TO The very cause which is intended TO be
advanced. OF all the great interests
which appertain TO ou! county, that OF
union, cordial, confding, fraternal union,
is by far the most important, since it is
the only true and sure guarantee OF all
others.
In consequence Of the embarrassed
state of business and the currency, some
Of the States may meet with difhcuity III
their financial concerns. However deep
ly we may regret any thing imprudent or
excessive in the engagements into which
States have entered for purposes OF their
own, it does not become US 10 disparage
the State Governments, nor TO discourage
them from making proper efforts Tor their
own relief; on the contrary, it is our dn-
ty to encourage them, to the extent OF our
constitutional authority, 10 apply their
means, and cttecrfully to make all neces'
sary sacrifices, and submit TO all neeessa-
~ burdens to fulfil their engagements and
maintain their credit; for the character
and credit If the several States form part
of the character and credit OF the whole
country. The resources of the country
are abundant, The enterprise and acliVi-
tv of our people pr"verbial, and we
may well hope that wise legislation and
prudent administration. by the respective
Governments, each acting within lis own
sphere, will restore former prosperity.
Unpleasant and even dangerous collis-
ions may sometimes be, between the con-
s,ituled authorities or The citizens of our
country, in relation 10 the lines which 81.
parate their respective Jurisdictions, the
results can be of no vial injury 10 our in
situlions, if that ardent patriotism, that
devoted attachment 10 liberty; that spirit
of moderation and. fnrbearance, for which
our countrymen were once distinguished,
continue 10 b. cherished. If this contin-
ues to be The ruling passion of our souls,
the weaker feelings ufthe mistaken enthu-
siast will he corrected, the Ethiopian
dreams of the scheming politician dissi-
patcd, and the complicated intrigues of the
demagngue rendered harmless. The spi-
ri; of liberty is IA sovereign balm for every
injury which our institutions may receive:
On lie Contrary, no care that can be used
in the construction Of our Government,
no division of powers. no distribution OF
checks in lis several departments will
prove cffectual 10 keep us free people, If
this spirit is suffered to lecay-and decay