The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-03-12

| under an equal system OF revenue ana ulsDuTSe-
ments, would not have been lost to her. Ifto this
be added that many of the duties were imposed,
not for revenue, but for protcction-that is, in
tended TO put money, not into the Treasury, but
| directly into the pockets of the manufacturers
some conception may be formed of the immense
amount which, in the long course Of sixty years,
has been transferred from South to North. There
are no data by which it can be estimated with any
certainty but it is safe to say, that it amounts to
hundreds of millions of dollars. Under the most
moderate estimate, it would be sufficient to add
greatly to the wealth ot1he North, and thus great
~ increase her population by attracting emigra-
ton from all quarters to that section.
This, combined with the great and primary
cause, amply explains why the North has ac-
quirrd preponderance over every department of
the Government by its disproPortonate increase
of population and States The former, as has
been shown has increased in fifty years. 100000
over that fthe South. This increase Of popula-
ton, during so long period, is satisfactorily ac-
counted for, by the number Of emisrants, and the
increase of their descendants, which have been
attracted to the Northern section from Europe and
the South, in consequence of the advantages de-
rived from the causes assigned. If they had not
eyised-if the South had retained all the capital
which has been extracted from her by the fiscal
action of the Government; and, if it had not been
| CSCluQeO -DE le VI o. tllC
ri compromise, from the region lying between the
Ohio and the Mississippi rivers, and between the
Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, north of 36
3O-it scarcely admits of doubt, that she would
have divided the emigration with the North, and
| by retaining her own people. would have at least
equaed the North in population under the census
OF 1910, and probably under that about to be ta-
ken. She would also, if she had her equal rights
in those Territories, maintained an equality in the
| number of States with the North, and have pre-
served the equilibrium between the two sections
that existed at the commencement ofthe Govern
mcnt. The loss, then, Of the equilibrium, is to be
attributed to the action Of this Government.
But while these measures were destroying the
equilibrium between the two sections, the action OF
the Government was leading to radical change
in its character, by concentrating all the power Of
the system in itself The occasion will not permit
me to trace the measures by which this great
change has been consumrnated. Ifit did, it would
not be difficult to show that the process commcn-
ced at an early period of the Government; that it
proceeded almost without interruption, step By
step, until it absorbed virtually its entire powers; /;
but without going through the whole process 10
establish the fact, it may be done satisfactorily by
a very short statement
That the Government claims, and practically
maintains, the right to decide in the last resort
to the extent of its powers, will scarcely be denied
by any one conversant with the political history Of
tile country. Thatit also claims the right to resort
to force, TO maintain whatever power 1t claims
against all opposition is equally certain. Indeed
il is apparent from what we daily hear that this
has become the prevailing and fixed opinion of
great majority of the community. Now, | ask
What limitation can possibly be placed upon the
powers Of government claiming and exercising
such rights! And, if none can be, how can the
separate governments of the States maintain and
protect the powers reserved to them by the Con-
stu,ion. or the people of the several States maln-
tain those which are reserved to them. and among
others the sovereign powers by which they or
dainrd and established, not only their separate
State Constitutions and Governments, but also the
Constitution and Government ot'the United States.
But, if they have no constitutional means Ofmaln-
tanning them against the right claimed by tins
government il necessarily follows, that they hold
them at its pleasure and discretion. and that all
the powers Of the system are III reality concentra-
ted in it, 1t also follows, that the character othc
Government has been changed in consequences
from federal Republic, as il originally came from
the hands of its trainers into great national con-
soliiated Democracy. |! has indeed, at present.
all the characteristics Of the latter, and not one OF
the former, although il ill retains lis outward
form.
The result Of the whole of these causes conn.,
bned is, that the North has acquired decided as
cendancy over every department Of this govern
ment and through it control over all the powers
OF the system A single section, governed by the
will of the numerical majority, has now, in fact,
the control OF the Government and the entire
powers of the system What was once a consti-'
lutional federal Republic, is now converted, i'll re-
ay into one as absolute as that OF the Autocrat
of Russia. and az despotic in its tendency, as any
absolute government that ever existed.
AS then, the North has the absolute control over
the Governments it is manifest that on all questions
between ii and the South, where there is diver
siiy of interests, the interest of the latter will bc
sacrificed to the former, however oppressive the
effects NAV be, as the South possesses no means
by which it can resist, through the action of the
Government. But if there was no question OF Vi
tai importance to the South, in reference TO which
there was diversity of views between the two
sections, this state OF things might be endured,
without the hazard OF destruction TO the South
But such is not the fact. There is question Of
vital importance to the Southern section, i'll refer
ence to which the views and feelings OF The Two
sections are as opposite and hostile as they can
possibly be. e.
refer TO the relation between the two races III
the Southern section, which constitutes vital
portion of her social Organization Every portion
of the North cuterams views and feelings more or
less hostile to it. Those most opposed and hos
tile, regard it as sin, and consider themselves
under the most sacred obligation to use every ct.
.l tl,,a