The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-05-18


We are indebted to Messrs Calhoun, Sum-
ter, Campbell and S. H. Butler, for various pub
lie documents and speeches.
1--WE invite the attention of our readers to
the able article which we publish to-day, over
the signature of"Another of the People, 1t ap-
peared in the Charleston Courier, of Feb. l2th,
ls4l, and We then laid it aside, with the nten-
ton of lbffhging it before our readers at future
day. Theapsesent we consider favorable pc
riod for its consideration. Time and reflection
have only tended to strengthen our convictions IN
the truth and force of the writer's arguments. and
indeed, the increased necessity for carrying out
the views which he has so ably and triumphantly
set forth.
The benefits which would, it seems 10 us, ne
cessarily result from the adoption of the policy
recommended, are so apparent, and the propriety
of carrying out the views suggested, so clear to
our mind, that we feel at loss for language to
enforce principle so self-evident. Among the
number with whom we have conversed upon this
subject, we have found none who have furnished
an argument against it, or indeed, who were not
altogether in favor of the scheme. The only
objection to the views of "Another of the Peo-
ple," which we have seen or heard of, are those
of the Editors of the Charleston Courier, in
note appended to the article to which we are
calling the attention of our readers. This note
is in the following words
awe cannot agree with our correspondent in
his views relative to the prohibition of the en-
ployment of negro labor in the mechanic trades.
1t would be tyrannical and oppressive interfer-
ence with the right of individual property, which
would be intolerable to freemen. There may be
evils connected with such IAN employment of
mechanic labor, but it is an incident and lnsep-
arabic one of our system of domestic servitude
the institution is not unmiXed with evils, but 1t
has vast preponderance of compcEsatlng ad-
vantages, and we must take it cum mere, or re-
pudate it altogether. The interference propos-
ed would be against right, and against principle
and would therefore be remedy worse than
the grievance. We fully concur with our cor
respondent as TO the propriety and necessity of
rearing up among us body of industrious, en-
terprizing and intelligent white mechanics; but
in doing So we must avoid striking blow at the
institution which is the basis of southern wealth
and prosperity"
1t will be seen from the above note which We
have copied entire, that there is no attempt in
the way Of argunent to controvert the views OF
~Another of the People" There are however,
two assertions which we will examine for mo-
ment The first assertion is as follows: at
acouH be eatyrannical and oppressive interference
pih the right of individual property, 'chch aconId
be intolerable 10 freemen." If the Editors of the
Courier will admit that the Legislature of South
Carolina can, without tyranny and oppression,
carry out existing enactments OF long standing,
regulating to some extent "the employment of
negro la5our," we think the above assertion will
nave to be abandoned as untrue. 1t is we'll
known That the Legislature has prohibited the
employment of negroes either as clerks or sales
men Sin or about any shop, store or house used
for trading" under the penalty of one hundred
dollars in money, and six months Imprisonment.
If this be not ga tyrannica and oppressive inter-
ference with the rights of individual property"
then the adoption of the policy recommended by
s'Another of the People," cannot, with any JUS
tice or propriety be stigmatized as such. Let
us examine the necessity for such an enactment
as is proposed, as compared with that which the
Legislature has already, in its wisdom, seen
proper to adopt. What was the object of the
Legislature in prohibiting the employing negro
clerks and statesmen! 1t was doubtless, to pre-
vent their being placed in position which would
be likely to render them more dangerous, by
having the means of becoming better informed,
and leisure and opportunity to carry out any
wicked design which they might form. Does
not the argument apply with ten fold force in ia
yor the proposition of "Another of the People?"
If it is considered improper for the reasons sta
ted to permit the employment of negroes as
clerks and statesmen, when they would, perhaps,
almost always, be under the immediate eye, and
supervision of the master, how muchmore strong
ly does it apply to mechanical employments
which affords very nearly equal facilities for the
acquiring of information, and an infinitely great
er opportunity for carrying out any purpose of
mischief upon which they may determine. 1t is
not pretended by any person, we believe, that