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

wards lIle SOCldl VI io''t3
lay dormant, but it only required some cause
which would make the impression on those who
felt it most intensely, that they were responsible
for its continuance, to call it into action. The in
creasing power of this Government, and of the
control of the Northern section over all its depart
ments furnished the cause. 1t was this which
made an impression on the minds of many, that
there was little or no restraint to prevent the gov
eminent from doing whatever it might choose to
: do. This was sufficient of itselfto put the most
fanatical portion ofhe North in action for the pur-
pose of destroying the existing relation between
| the two races in the South.
The first organized movement towards it COM
menced in 1885. Then, for the first time, societies
were organized presses established lecturers sent
forth to excite the people Of the North, and incen-
diary publications scattered over the whole south,
through the mail. The south was thoroughly
aroused. Meetings were held everywhere, and
resolutions adopted, calling upon the north to ap-
! ply a remedy to arrest the threatened evil, and
| pledging themselves to adopt measures for their
own protection, if it was not arrested. AT the
meeting of Congress petitions poured in from the
North. calling upon Congress to abolish slavery in
the District of Columbia and 10 prohibit Xhatthey
calledthe internal slave trade between the states,
announcing at the same time, that their ultimate
object was 10 abolish slavery, not only in the Dis
trict, but in the states, and throughout the Union
AT this period, the number engaged in the agta-
tion was SMALL and possessed little or no personal
influence
Neither party in Congress had, at that time, any
! sympathy with them, or their cause. The men,
bers of each party presented their petitions with
great reluctance. Nevertheless, as small and con-
temptble as the party then was, both Of the great
parties of the North dreaded them. They felt, that
though small, they were organized in reference to
subject which had great and commanding in
fluence over the Northern mind. Each party, on
that account feared to oppose their petitions, lest
the opposite party should take advantage Of the
one who might by tavoring their petitions The
effect was that both united in insisting that the
| petitions should be received, and that Congress
should take jurisdiction OF the subject for which
they prayed. To justify their course, they took
the extraordinary ground, that Congress was
bound to receive petitions on every subject, how
ever Objectionable il might be, and whether they
had or had not Jurisdiction over the subject. These
views prevailed in the House of Representatives,
and partially in the senate and thus The party
succeeded in their first movements in gaining
what they proposed-a position III Congress, from
which agitation could be extended over the whole
Union. This was the commencement of the agi-
taton, which has ever since continued, and which,
as is now acknowledged, has endangered the
| Union itself.
As for myself believed, at that early period, if
the party who got up the petitions should succeed
in getting Congress 10 take urisdiciion that agi-
tation would follow, and that it would in the end,
| ifnot arrested, destroy the Union ] then so ex-
pressed myself in debate, and called upon bo h
parties to take ground against assuming jurisdc-
ton, but in vain. Had my voice been needed,
and had Congress refused 10 take Jurisdiction, by
the united woes Of all parties, the as alton which
followed would have been prevented. and the ia
nalical zeal that gives impulse to the agitation,
and which has brought us to our present perllous
| condition. would have become eXtinguished from
the want of something TO feed the flame. That
was the time for the north show her devotion 10
the Unien; but unfortunately, both Of the great
parties OF that section were so intent on Obtaining
or reiainnnS party ascendancy. that all other
| considerations were overlooked or forgotten.
| What has since followed are but the natural con-
sequences. With the success OF their first move
mrnt, this small fanatcal party began to acquire
strength and with that, TO become All object of
courlshpto TO both the great parties. The necessary
| consequence was, further increase OF power, aud
| gradual taining Of the opinions OF both of tire
other parties with their doctrines, until the lntec-
ton has extended over both and the great mass
OF the population Of tho North, who, whatever may
be their opinion OF the original abolition party,
which still preserves its distinctive organization,
hardly ever fail, when it comes 10 acting, 10 CO.
operate in carrying out their measures. With the
! Increase of their influence, they extended the
sphere of their action. Ina short time after the
mmcnccrnent of their fret movement, they
had acquired sufficient influence to induce
| lie Legislatures of most Of the Northern
States TO pass acls, which in effect abrogated
the provision OF the Constitution that provides
for the delivering up of fugitive slaves. Not
| long after, petitions followed TO abolish slavery in
forts, magazines and dock yards, and all other pla
ces where Congress had exclusive power legisla
ton. This was followed by petitions and resou-
tons of Legislatures Of the Northern States ard
popular meetings, 10 exclude the Southern States
from all Territories acquired, or to he acquired,
and to prevent the admission OF any State hereafter
into the Union, which, by it's Constitution, does
not prohibit slavery. And Congress is invoked to
do all this expressly with the view to the final
abolition OF slavery IN the States. That has been
aruwed to he Tie ultimate object from the begin
ming of the agitation until the present time; and
yet the great body of both parties of the Nortib
with the full knowledge OF the fact. although dlsa
vnwing the AboiitIonIsls, have co-operaicd with
them in aImuct all their measures.
Such is brief history Of the agitation, as far as
it has vet advanced Now ask, Senators, what
is there prevent ITS further progress, unn it full
fills the ultimate end proposed, unless some de-
csive measure should be adopted to prevent it
Has any one of the courses, which has added to
its Increase from its original small and contempt-