The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-07-18
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MR.. CALHOUN'S REPLY.
s,ro THE rRoPIE OF THE SOUTHERN STATES.


tai of Missouri had been, directed exclusively a
gainstSme. 'rhe:line ofscondnct | have pre-
scribed to- myself sin reference to him is. tc
have5asli,le to dowith him as possible; and,
accordingly, never notice what comes iron
him, even ia his character as Senator, wher
Lean avoid doing SO consistently with my pub
lie duties, regard hin, in light very diti''rcn
from what he seemstorrgard me-. if we maj
Judge from The frequency and violence ofhs at
tacks< on. me. He seems to think | stand ir
his way, aad that am ever engaged in some
scheme to put him down. |, on the contrary
have never for a moment thought Of raising him
to the level of a competitor, or rival, nor con
sidered il Of any Importance to me, whether he
should be put down or not. He must think he
something to gain by assaing me-; |. or
the contrary. feel that / have nothing to gain
hy noticing him. and when compelled 10 do so
am satisfied if ;iescape without some loss o
self frespect. | have another reason for moi
desiring to notice him on :he present occasion.
AIhis charges against me, with few and trIl'
fing exceptions are bnt the reilerations OF those
often made heretofore by himself and others,
and which Ihaye metsand successfully rePeed
inmy place in the Senate. That they made
no impression gaihst me at the time, either IN
the SenateS or compnuity, there can be no bet
Ter proof, than is afforded in the lahorious and
,iresome effort he made in his presen, speech
to revive and give them circulation.
Under the influence of these reasons, would
have remained silcn, had alone been con.
cerned. But such is not the case. His blow
isaimed much more at you than me. He strikes
atIne for the donble purpose Of weakening me
10 nyourcen6dence, and Of striking at you and
your cause through me, which he thinks can he
done more effectually indirectly. than directly.
Thus regarding his attack, feel it 10 be duty
love you and your cause TO rcpcl it.
The, effort of Col. Benton, from the beginning
to the end Of his speech, is TO make out that
have ever been unfaiihiul to your canse, and
tr,ietothai ofihc free so'ers and abolitionists;
while, on the contrary, you had in him an I'm.
known but faithful friend on all occasions. He
assumes, that you and they have been both mis-.
taken in reference TO my course; you in regard.
ing me az friend and supporter of your cause,
and they 10 regarding me as hostile to theirs
Judged by appearance his object would seem to
be 10 dispel this delusion, while in truth it is,
To- give you and your cause what he hopes will
prove deadly blows. This the abolilionists and
free soilers well understand. The disguise was
not assumed TO deceive them, but 10 deceive
you. They understand him, and have hailed
with acclamation his speech, and publishedit il
and circulated it.far and near, and glorfed 1t
and lis author to the skies. They rejoice in the
beliefthat i has demolished me, and this too,
while It holds me mp as the truest and The best
friend TO their cause. II remains 10 he seen,
whether you will understand him as perfectly as
they do, and will meet the speech, so lauded by
them, with The reprobation due TO eifron,ery
and desertion. 1t is not the first time that a
deserter has bad the assurance to address those
he deserted, and while protesting regard for
their cause, denounced those who remained
faithful TO, 1t. The history of our revolution
furnishes a notorious instance of the kind. The
deserter in that instance failed TO deceived those
whom. he addressed, or to shake their conf
dence in those who remained faithful to them,
and in return for his effrontery and desertion
have sent his name down 10 postcrity with re.
probation. II remains 10 be seen whether such
will lie the fate Of the deser,er in this instance.
He commenced his speech with attacking
the resolutions offered to the Senate, the 10Th
February, ls47, and charges that they were in
Produced lor the purpose ofdisunion. That You
may Judge for YOURSELF whether they are liable
TO the charge or MOI, insert them.
sResolved, That the territories Of the Uni.
Ted States belong to The several States compo-
sing this Union, and are held by them as their
Joint and common property.
"Resolyed, That Congress. as the joint agent
and representative ofthe States Of this Union,
has no right to make any law, Or d" any act
Whatever, that shall, directly or by its effects,
make any discrimination between the States of
of this Union, by which any Of them shall be
deprived Of It's full and equal right in any terri.
tory ofthe United States, acquired or 10 be &C.
quired. f.s@
= eResolved. That the enactment Of any law
which should, directly or by its effects, deprive
the citizens of any of the States Of this Union
from caigrating with their property into any of
the territories Of the United States, will make
such discrimination, and would therefore, he
violation Of the constitution, and the rights of
the States from which such citizens emigrated,
and Interrogation ofthat perfect equality which
belongs TO them as members of the Union and
would tend dirctly 10 suhvert the Union itself.
"Resolved, That. as a fundamental principle
in our political creed, people, in forming
constitution, have the unconditional right to form
and adopt the government which they maythink
best calculted TO secure liberty, prosperity and
happiness; and that, in conformity thereto, no
other condition is imposed by the federal consti-
tuition on Stale, in order to her admission into
this Union, except that its constitution be repub-
lican. and that the imposition of any other by
Congress would not only be in violation of the
constitution. hui in direct conflict with the prin.
ciple on which our poiticol system rests. :"
They are as you see, confined to asserting
principles appertaining to the nature and char.
acter Of our system Of Governmenment, and
making inferences clearly dcducible from them;