The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-12-20
LerisIature Of South Carolina.

Legislature OF S0uth Carollna'
The Committee on Cniored population to
whom was referred 50 much OF the Governors s
Message as relates to tie removal Of the Free
Negroes from the State, ask leave to
REPORT:
That they regard the subject involved IN
this inquiry as one of the very gravest import
and surrounded by difficulties of great embar-
rasment. 1t is comparatively of novel impress
sion in our State, and has never been to any
extent considered by our citizens. 10 carry
out the recommendations OF the Governor,
would involve the existence and recognition OF
the principles of the Colonization Society, an
institution which has never been in any favor
in South Carolina. About twenty years ago
there was feeble effort made to establish
one of these Societies in the State, it fingered
out sicklv existence, and in short time ex-
pired and with it the discussion of the question
it is fact not to bc overlooked that the spirit
of Abolition at the North first commenced its
operations under the patronage and authority OF
Colonization Societies, and most OF the aoVo-
Gates and promoters Of those measures are now
violent Abolitionists-so that the public mind
in tlis State, SO far from being directed towards
it, may be said since the agitation OF the slavery
question at the North to have been entirely dr.
verted from its consideration. And the conclu-
sion very legi,imately and justly to be drawn
from these facts is, that there is no settled poll
cy indicated on this subject in this State.
Your Committee are free to admit, that 1t
would be much to be desired-that there were
but two classes in slaveholding country-the
masters on the one hand, and the slaves on the
other-that an intermediate class possessed OF
some legal privileges, besides being anomolous'
presents a constant source OF disconten1 10
those who are lower down in the scale; the
slaves seeing the privileges and inlmunites en-
joyed by the free negroes, long to be elevated
to their condition, and discomfort and dlssatls'
faction ensue in regard to their more servlle
condition. The only plan to be adopted ass
remedy of this condition of the subject would
be the dismissal of that entire class Of popula.
ton; this would operate with peculiar hardship
and injustice on some. Many are the owners
of land and slave, and are bound to the soil by
all those associations Though in less refined
degree) which characterize the feelings OF the
white race-we have extended to them civil and
legal privileges, which have cultivated and
stre, gthened these feelings, and suddenly,
without fault on their part, they are to suffer
the severest of all punishments, namely; expa.
triation, because we have chosen to change our
policy.
1t cannot be denied that there are in the
State many free negroes, who, from bad char
acter, idleness, and dissolute conduct have be-
come nuisances to their neighborhoods. These
cases can be met by judicial penal Legislation
sufficient to repress the. evil without resorting
to the extreme measure indicated by his Excel
lency
Your Committee, are also impressed with
the great difficulties which would arise, as to
the mode and measure of the removal of these
people. Is it proposed to confscate their pro-
perty to raise the means, ' would the State in
Cur this expense9 1t would require large
amount of expenditure TO effect it properly, and
it is very much to be doubted, whether our peo-
pie are prepared or willing to sustain this ex-
pense at the present time.
In conclusion, your Committee are OF opn.
ion, that it would lily comport with the true
character of South Carolina, whilst she was
struggling for her rights in the property OF the
African race as slaves, that she should be found
initiating the example of a selfish and heartless
people, who, whilst they commit robbery and
plunder of our property, under the pretense of
sympathy and attachment to the African race,
are the perpetrators of the most cruel and un-
feeling conduct to those of the race who have
the misfortune of being part of their popnla'
ton. Let US hold out to the world, whilst we
assign them subordinate position, both in our
political and social arrangements, we regard the
obligation not less binding, to extend to them
all the protection and countenance, which their
own conduct will admit of; and thisw are con-
fdent will not be the less obligatory, because
ofits dependence on our own consciences and
sense OF duty.
Your Committee are Of opinion, that the re
commentator of the Governor as to the taking
of census of this population, should be adopt
ed, as it would furnish useful and important in
formation, and may be necessary for future
legislation.
Respectfully submitted,
J. HARLESTON READ, Jr.
Chairman Of Committee on Colored Population.
THE COMPROMISE IN MISSISSIPPI.