The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-05-10
The Position of the South.

The recent occurrence at the city Of Washing
ton is but the first Of series Of depredations in
tended to committed on the people Of the South
1t is known to readers that for years past, this
journal has been warning the southern people that
forbearance was no longer virtue, but a crime
We endeavored to call their attention to some
mode of united action, and proposed southern
convention, as, in our humble opinion, the most
effectual mode Of giving expression to the senti-
ments Of the whole southern people, and We are
happy to say that we have beon confirmed in our
opinion of the proprety of this course by the judg-
ment Of some OF our ablest statesmen. Party or
ganization, however, stood in the way, and we are
now beginning to reap the fruits of this suicidal
decentralization. We now seriously ask the SOU
thern people Of both parties, what have they to
gain in uniting with northern politicians wings or
democrats, so long as they are determined to tram
pie on the rights guaranteed to you by the constitu
ton! What mockery to 60 and sit in solemn con-
clave at Philadelphia or Baltimore with men who
aver that they are not only carrying out those prin
cples for which your forefathers struggled and
bled, but that they are doing Gods service by
stealing your property and by passing laws to pre-
vent its recovery Will not these nominating con-
ventons be the scenes Of the most ridiculous far
ces ever heard Of, if delegates from the south ad-
here to the promul gated resolutions Of almost eve
ry southern state with regard 10 The Wimot Pro-
viso1
The true policy OF the south is to stand aoof
from these national party caucusses, until, under
the influence of patriotic spirit, they disavow all
connection with fanaticsm, and renounce forever,
the doctrines of the Wilmot Proveo. There are
men who will, with laugh of incredulity, ridicule
the idea that separation of the southern and nor
thern states will ever result from this barefaced ag
gression but when we are told by the northern
prints that the recent outrage at Washington is
but the forerunner oi many similar ones, and that
the north is now determined to speak in voice
that cannot be misunderstood in the south, we
would like TO know on what foundation our securi-
ty rests. There can scarcely be doubt but that
a we'll organized system is now in operation for the
purpose of abductng our slaves, and yet the apa-
thy of our people remains, if there we've no ma
chnations around US, not only to rob US, but to
plunge US into a servile war-a war which must
end in the extinction Of the negro race.
A few days since, as will be seen from the pro-
ceedings of a meeting in Barnwell, an tne.
rant lecturer has been detected in tampering with
the slaves, and it is true they acted with prompt
ness, but can we say, how many Of these abolition
agents, emboldened by the unaccountable supne-
ness of the Southern people are scattered through
out the south! 1t is, truly, high time for the
souther people to meet and consult as to the best
mode of giving such an expression to their injured
and outraged feelings, and their determination to
submit no longer. That determination must be
sooner or later announced, in such shape as will
give it weight and influence throughout tie North.
Instead of uniting then, with either political par
ty, we advise and exhort the Southern people, to
know no party but Southern party, or constitu-
tutonal party; and the sooner steps are taken for
the organization of such party, the safer will it
be for cur institutions, and the perpetuity Of our
Union
As regards our preference 10 the individual who
should be elected to the Presidency, we have no
hesitation in saying that amongst all the Democra.
tic names mentioned. we would unquestionably
select the present incumbent, Mr.. POLK or Vice
President DALLAS. The the election of the for
mer would seal the fate Of the Wing party for years
to come, and we believe him to be an honest and