The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-08-15

venlion, because did not think any good
would result from its labors. did not he
licve, nor do now believe that such bodies,
in periods of political excitement--perhaps.
indeed, at any period; either by the concen.
{ tra,ion of public opinion, or BY the dIffu-
sion of information, can lead to any useful
plan of action. Invited, as the members of
that Convention were, from every portion of
the Union, the sphere of operation was far
too extensive for wise and cautious delibera-
tion and decision. There were too many
interests involved. If general propositions
only, are 10 be laid down in such conven
tion, the object is not worth the effort; for,
in the divided state of the public mind upon
the question, whatever platform might be
adopted, the opinion of parties, and general
ly of individuals, would remain the same
If a general plan Of operations is to be
proposed and pressed upon Congress, the
objections are papable and grave. The
members are under little responsibility and
as each section of the country will have its
own objects to attain, these must be attained
by concessions to the object of others, and
the result will furnish evidence of a mutual
spirit of accommodation, rather than eau
tious regard for the general interest. Such
an assemblage is very different thing from
the attempt 10 concentrate opinion and ac-
ton in favor of any improvement affecting
particular portion Of the Union, where there
is community Of information and interests,
and where there is no weighing OF one pro.
iect against another, nor any sacrifices to In
sure the desired result,
And am fully confirmed in my previous
antcipations concerning the Chicago Con-
vention. / imagine the first man is yet to
be found who will venture to say that any
advantage has resulted from its labors.
But had another reason for declining TO
attend that Convention. | did not like its
origin. The earliest notice of it which |
saw, was connected with the names of some
weIl.known Wings. prominent politicians of
The city of New York and l believe. and
! have no reason TO doubt. that one great
object was, TO injure the Democratic party
by taking advantage of the excitement
which prevailed in certain portions of the
country, IN consequence of the failure of two
! successive internal improvement bills. And
| have since understood, though cannot
vouch for The fact, that such was the actual
intention, and that the proceedings Of the
Convention would have assumed party
character, and been directed to this object,
had not The design been frustrated by the
firmness Of the Democratic members.
Now MIR. Greeley will understand why |
did not attend Ibis Convention. But cam
not understand why he seeks my opinions on
on this question in my letter, which is who'll
y silent on the subject, and not in my
speeches and votes IN the Senate Of the
United States.
Eminent Wing politicians whom could
name, but that it would be invidious to do
so, were invited to attend the Chicago Con-
ventIon, but neither answered nor attended
thought it due 10 the gentleman who invited
me, to acknowledge his attention, and did
so. And this act OF courtesy, which consti-
tutcs the cnIv difference between myself and
others, has been made the text book whence
my opinions are to he dcduccd, and by
which my Inconsistency is ~ be proven.
On the question of the power OF the United
States over the subject of internal improve
mcnts, my sentiments are in accordance
with those OF the great Democratic party,
and are fully expressed in the resolutions of
the Baltimore Convention. In the words Of
one of these resolutions, believe "lhat the
Constitution does not confer on the general
government the power to commence and
carry on general system of internal i'm
provemcnt," and no man living has the right
TO gainSay this assertion. But at The same
time have never disputed the rish, of Con-
gress to improve some of The great harbors
and rivers and lakes of The Union, naional
IN their character, and important to the COM
merce, and some Of them to the defence Of
our country. While the Democratic party
deny the power to devise and carry on a
vast system Of operations-whose pecuniary
extent no man can forcsce, and what is still!
worse. whose corrupting influence, as well in
the legislature as olu Of it, cannot he viewed
but with the most serious apprehensIons--
The great majority OF That party, indeed near.
ly all of Of it, has advocated particular ap.
preparations justified by the circumstances
of position and importance. Almost at The
same time that declared my adhesion TO
the resolutions of tho Baltimore Convention,
voted with equal good faith for the
bills in the Senate providing for the improve.
ment of rivers and harbors and lakes, and
advocated their passage in my seat; and
this is precisely the reason why ! accuse
many oflhe Whig papers and politicians of
disingenuousness, or something worse in as
sertng that my Chicago letter, which con-
tanned not word on The subject, was proof
ofmy hostility to all the action Of Congress,
in the very face of my official course and of
my publicly declared opinions. And my
position was that of most of the prominent
men of our party, who, while they held to
| ,lo 4 e IL H.