The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-12-01

of Il free State, In assuming position of
defence which she is resolved to maintain,
to manifest adue and timely regard for all
the means and appliances of rendering
that position, as strong and impregnabIe
in fact, as il is in equity, and in argument.
Disregarding all theories, that so often
conf'und the convictions of The best and
purest minds, and resorting to the resour-
ces which she can so amply command
through her organized government. and
with which God and the People have en-.
doweG her citizens, would not be invinci.
bly, united in her defence.
Another topic, of not less importance
in itself, or Of deep moment TO the citizens
Of this State. is the act distributing the pro-
ceeds of the public lands. As source OF
revenue which it is proposed to abstract,
at the very instant when The Federal
Treasury is said to require to be replen-
ished it would seem like wantonly seek
ing pretext to increase taxation. But
considered in any point ofview, it can be
regarded in no other light than that Of a
distribution of the public revenue. In one
year, during aPrevinus administration, the
proceeds of the sales of public lards, pro.
duced revenue of upwards of twenty
millions-a maximum 10 which, in more
prosperous times, it woulr! possibly again
attain. Its average may even now be es.
,imated at five millions, which, if annually
Withdrawn from the Treasury. leaves that
deficiency at least 10 be supplied by in
creased duties on imports. That the gov
ernment can exercise the puwer Of taxa
ton to raise revenue for distribution, is a
principle presume, which this State is
not prepared to admit Under the opera
lion of the various pre-emption laws. and
the frequent reductions in the price oi
public lands, those very States which
were tie largest contributors tn the "Pub-
lie Domain" or whose "blnod and treas
ure" were most lavishlY expended to ac-
quire 1t, have at the same time been sub
jecled TO the greatest sacrifices, in tho emf
grafton of their citizens, and in the dimn.
ished value Of their products, reduced by
an unequal competition with the more
abundant and teeming resources nf those
new and fertile regions, which their en-.
terprise an! industry have been seduced
and distracted tn cultivate, to the waste
andabandonmcnt of their own. 1t was
enough In have b"rne all this with palr..
otic devotion to the interests Of our com.
m"n country; hut when it is proposed Ia
divert that domain from the sacred purpo.
ses for which it was cetled, to afford a
preteXt for additional burdens and taxa
ton on one lass of industry, TO give pro-.
lection and bounty to another, it assumes
a character of the highest injustice, as
well as the most palpable inraclicn OF
constitutional principles.
But the most dangerous, as we'll as the
most humiliaing effect of this measure. is
the condition ofrependencv, to which il
reduces the States, upon the bounty and
benefaction of the visiting
as they would, in the relation of subsitia.
ries upon the profits Of their own estate
receiving its charity. doled out from their
own wealth, and subdued 10 a state OF
homage, servilily, and compliance, by
bribes, stolen and avished from their own
Treasury. Is il not to be regarded as the
first step to the assumption Of State
debls-desgned to cunsummale consult.
d,lion OF interests, "blilerating all distinc.
tinns of sovereignty, or p,ide of Indepen
dence, and tending to concentrate Empire
and Dominion over the rights of the Slales,
and The liberties of the people!
trust however, that the spirit ofreform
which has been so powerfully evoked by
the errors of the late session Of Congress
and so decidedly manifested in the results
of,he late popular elections throughout
the Union, will prevent the spoils and
pundrr of this system. from ever soiling
the Treasury, or contaminating the cof-
frrs OF single State in the Union. LIE,
us pause. at least for moment, in the
hope, that the correct principles and high
motives of an unbo"ght, unterrtied. and
incorruptible Democracy are operating
their sure and salutary influences on the
councils aud measures nf Government.
Among other Resolutions, which. as the
official communication of sister Stale, il
is my duty. to submit to a coordinate
branch OF Inc government of this, is one
proposing to alter the Constitution, 10 lin
it the eligibility II the Federal Executive
to one term uf office. The experience OF
this State furnishes no reasons fur such
an innovation upon The long established
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