The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-07-09

leVe IT, even though 1t be at the sacrlhce OF tne
life blood of her white population. l have said
that the object was to cast around the slave
Stiles an abolition girdle, and then carry on a
Regular progression, as systematic and certain
as an object could he accomplished. But did
not suppose the plan would be so soon disclos-
ed on this floor as it has been, by gentlemen
during this session. The programme already
is committed to type | have in my possession
three several plats and pamphlets, sent me du-
ring the winter, in which this whole thing is
regularly marked out; the transition States are
clearly deliheated, in which the slaves are to be
put on equality with the whites, or sold further
South; and the little State from which | come
is the. first On the East at which "a rest is to be
made, or the general massacre to commence
in this unhallowed work, in which the black
race are to light the midnight tarch oEassassi-
nation, and bathe themselves in the blood of the
men, the women, and babes of the whites. As
to their liberation and equality with the whites
OF the South, it is purpose for which God nev-
er designed them, and a condition they never
have attained on single spot of the habitable
globe; and until the North change their hypo-
crisy into works, for one will not argue this
subject with them.
But the grave question presents itself now to
fourteen sovereign States of this Confederacy,
equal in intelligence, in their rights, and the
means of selfpreservaton and defence-with
any people OH carth--whetler, in the face of
all these facts, they are prepared to submit to
such degradation, or to cravenly allow it to be
cast on their posterityl Will they allow
chain to be forged around them, out of territory
of which they are entitled to their proportion,
to be contracted like the crushings of the ana
conda, until their race shall be forgotten? |
invoke Heaven and the spirits of their ancestors
to forbid it.
The vast and valuable territory now to be
settled was obtained by our common blood and
common treasure. In its acquisiton-l would
draw no invidious distinctions, though do not
conceive it immodcst in me. to say--the little
State from whence came bore her equal part,
and her citizens feel they are entitled to their
proportion. Twill not dwell upon the motives,
or means, by which it was obtained. 1t was
done by the people of the American States, and
it is immaterial to me, as think it should be to
every patriot, who were or were not most ac-
tive in obtaining it. 1t is obtained; it is ours ;
it cost US not onl ly blood, but $l50,O00,000 Of
our common treasure. WHO shall enjoy its pos
session and advantages3 This is the matter we
have to settle. Have any of the States, or
their agents here, the right to exclude the 9TH
ers! If they have, | am sure have yet to
learn the reason, in law, in politics. in morals,
or honesty, by which joint owners can be de.
prved of their fair proportion. There can be
no reason, unless this Government is to be con-
verted into Il machine to be controlled by ia
naticism or Il sickly religious sentiment; and
even then have been educated in no school of
r>ligion, by which brothers should he robbed Of
their rights By brothers.
But there are a people occupying this terri
tory, and they demand government for the
safety of their property and lives. And at this
point a false issue, in character with the whole
conduct of the North, is sedulously attempted
to be kept before the world. It's said that the
South have demanded Legislative action to ex-
tend slavery over these territories, and that the
North simpl ply deny thcrn that right. This is not
the truth and every honest man who knows
the history of this whole controversy, knows it.
The North arc the actors in this whole issue,
and the South but resist their efforts Itisvery
well known that near the close Of the last ses-
sion of Congress every southern member on this
floor voted to give California government,
such as other Territories have had; every nor
thern man, except very few whose hearts were