The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-05-02
by mean. of an extensive trade, is in constant

=
who has the distribution of 40,000.000 in The
way of beslowipg offices, appointments, ect.,
much the largest portion Of which is given at
the North and in the Northwest. All asp'rants
for the Presidency-and they are becoming
extremely commonwealth more or less comply
with, or accommodate themselves to, the pre-
iudicies Of non-slaveholding majority.
These are The general elements of power by
which the "free States" can control the legs.
alion of the country; but in the Wimot Proui-
so, they are likely TO acquire specific power;
which will greatly increase their influence.
There is no doubt that the free soil party are
determined to carry out, if possible, the princi.
pies of this odious measure. Nothing hut this
prevented, ut the late session OF Congress,
government being given to the newly nc.
ouired Territory. The Northern men would
assent to nothing that did not fully acknowl
edge the principles they contend for. They
have gained boldness l,y their success in attach.
ing the Wilmot Proviso to the Oregon Bill
That event, it is to b" feared, will prove fatal
to Southern rights. Since the passage of that
bill, the free. soil men do not scrupe to bring
f,rward the most insulting propositions. Gid
dings got up a resolution, and obtained tor il
ID votes, shat all persons in the District of
Columbia. including slaues themselves, should
decide whether or not the slaves in that Dis.
trich should be free.
The fact, therefore, that dangers threaten
the South, cannot be avoided. Is The real issue
like to come up 1t was so thought, and
Southern move was made in Congress, which
resulted in the Southern Address. TO Mr.
6 7 ko,oo, rbone tho hnn-
or of first sugg 'sling a Southern meetng-
But Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, from Parliamen.
tary courtesy, was made Chairman Of the Com
mittee TO which he subject was referred being
the mover Of that committee. 1t was source
of cordial feeling that he was made Chairman.
1t was highly desirable that an address on
the subject should come from member from
Georgia-a State, from its local situation and
interests, deeply concerned in the issue. But
it so happened that the task of drawing the ad.
dress devolved on Mr.. Calhoun. His expert
ence and abilities fitted him for such an office.
He was sincerely desirous of acquilting him.
self of The duty TO produce unanmIty; and
hence the original draft-not at all too strong
in tone-underwent various modifications.-
Both its author and the Address have been sub.
jec,ed to various obIque influences and assaults.
An enlightened and consuming public opinion
will refue and rebuke them. Mr.. Calhoun
could have had no temptation TO consult selfish
consideration. History will award to him
reputation to be- valued, and which The detrac.
tion of rivals and adversaries cannot withhold.
He has mingled the aspiration of his ambition
with the enduring glory of his country. His les.
sons and warning may not be needed until events
shall give 10 them a melancholy vertlcatlon.-
1t is to he regretted, as the greatest Of misfor.
tunes, that discordant views, upon more occa.
sions than one, have sprung up among Southern
members.
Mr.. B. said he would not, if he could, say
anything to aggravate such feeling. On the
contrary, he was willing to make any sacrifice
to heal division and TO produce unaniIni'y among
ourselves. But let us accept no more compro.
misses from parties that have proved tai,hless 10
all that have been made.
Gen. Taylor, doubtless, will avert all the
issues in his power. He is honest, and may
succeed hut late events show the great diff.
cul,ies in his way. The California question
must come up. 1t was STAYED off at the late
session by trying to refer it to the people of the
Territories to decide upon their becoming
State. The people there do not desire to take
this responsibility. 1t was an evasion Of the
question to contend that Califnrnia can become
a State by the mere fiat of Congress-
Will Gen. Taylor veto! No one can say;
Gen. TAYLOR knows how to keep his secrets.
But il given, the veto Of the President will
avail little. And are our rights to depend upon
a mere Presidential Veto? They are secured
to US by Constitution, and nothing short of its
observance ought TO satisfy us.
II is time for the South to he alive. Grave
issues are coming upon us. In this very month
events are transpiring to make up fearless
issue for the country, and they will 90 on with
a rapdy almost inconceivable. Ii is sacred
duty. which the Southern people owe to self:
respect, to resen. the wrongs growing out of
violated compacts and disregarded compromi
ses to maintain the covenant that secures them
and above all to make no resolutions that they
will not maintain. Submission to acknowl.
edged wrong is wif degradation. Public
sentiment should not be allowed to sleep over
lurking dangers. Any movement 10 he efiec.
tual should be conducted with the dignity Of
purpose, and with temperate and intelligent
concert. Positions of difficulty and respousi.
bihy should not be avoided.
George Mason, whom John Randolph char.
acterzed as the eagle eyed, and most gifted
statesman that Virginia ever bred, has clause
in his will full Of instruction. 1t rs to this Pnr.
port: "That a private station, from his eI.
pericnce, is one that he would recommend as
mos. conducive to happiness but upon the
blessing Of parent, | charge my children.
should any public trust or duty devolve upon
them BY the necessity Of the times, TO suffer no
fear Of any danger whatrver-the fear of death,
nor the fear Of disgrace or poverty, to deter
them from maintaining the rights TO which they
were born.
Our ancestors were grave, wise and de-
termined sort of people, and have left us both