The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-12-03
GOVERNORS MESSAGE. NO, {.
r EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Fellow Cu;=cns Of The Senate (

South Carolina has presented a scene of sad
ness and atlliction. In few months, four OF
her faithful public servants, exercising dstln-
guished and highly responsible public trusts, un-
der the Federal and State Governments, have
passed from time to eternity. TO this bereavc-
ment, it hehooves Us as people, hurnbly to sub
nit, in the encouraging assurance that the chas-
Jennings OF Providence are tempered with r,er-
cy and loving kindness.
On the 3lst of March, in the city Of Wash
ington, John Caldwell Calhoun, one ofthe Sen
ators from this State, terminated his earthly ca
reer. The announcement of the death OF so
eminent a citizen called forth the strongest
manifestations of grief from a large portion Of
the Republic In intensity OF feeling and deep
pervading gloom, it renewed the heartfelt ex-
hibiton OF mourning which occurredin Decem-
Der, 90, when the fatal truth was realized that
George Washington had ceased to be number
ed with The living.
While this great Conlederacy ofco-equal So
vereigntcs, through their common agent, por-
trayed in lofty terms the character and services
of the deceased, several of the States them
selves, as well as the people of many sections
of the Union, in the most impressive forlns in
which sorrow is susceptible of expression, pro-
claimed to the political communities of the
world that great man, morally and intellectu
ally, had fallen. The accompanying resolu-
tions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and the reports Of the late Mayor Of Charleston
and The Committee of 25, appointed BY the Ex-
ccutive to bring the remains of our late SEND
tor to South Carolina, alone furnish satisfactory
evidence on this subject.
Although it may be with truth affirmed, that
personally Mr. Calhoun was unknown to his
countrynen, yet; perhaps, no public servant ever
had stronger hold on their affections. This
was the result of settled belief, that to deep sa
gacity, an enlightened Judgment and profound
wisdom, he added patriotic ardor and in.eg-
rity of purpose which oforce of circumstances
could subdue or weaken. If, from, u fearless
assumption of responsibility, and entire free
dom from party trammels, on all questions in
volving principle, he was occasionally exposed
to the rebukes OF certain class cfpohiicians,
still, the msed Of the peoples admiration, ifnot
actual concurrence, was never withheld from
him. { g nj
With all the lofty qualifications of q consum-
mate statesman, our great leader was deficient
attributes of the mere politician. In determin.
ing the relative influence of circumstances on
the progress and destiny of nations, and in es-
tinating the force of their combinations. his
perspicacity was pre-eminent Unadapted to
the character oil his mind, and the elevated ends
at which he aimed, the task of carrying an as
saiiable point by address, sdroitness in contri-
vance, or, other expedients, formed no part Of
his labors.. Possessing thorough knowledge
of the human mind, and the springs of human
action, political carses and their effects, he
could, with rare penetration, unfold. In the
moral, as in the physical world, there are fixed
laws, which, under the same circumstances, pro-
duce like results. III stsadtasty adhe:;ng to
these as bis guide, he was at all times able to
eliminate the truth Of case amidst the obscu-
rity and embarrassment that encompassed it,
Far in advaaee os the age in which he lived. the
discoveries of his intellectual vision, which the
ordinary eye was incapable Of appreciatiug,
were, on certain subjects, often considered as
the visionary speculations Of an habitua alarm
ist In illustration of his prophetic power, the
widespread effects of abolition aggression might
be appropriately cited. II his admonitions and
warnings, so early and solemnly uttered in the
Senate, had been practically attended to, the
present pcrilous condition of the Southern com.
munity never>would have been reached; nor
would the mind of the public have been startled
byaproposition to amendthe charter Of Union,
as a measure necessary to secure the perma.
hence and safety OF the domestic institutions Of
the South.
Because it was the fundamental law. Mr.
Calhoun was among the most ardent and un-
deviating supporters of the Federal Constitu.
tion. Guided by the soundest principles ofpo-
ltical ethics, he Justly maintained that the OILY
safe aud efiectual mode Of preserving part.
nership, whether among individuals or States,
was to resist every cncroaehment or the terms
Of agreement. One act OF nnchecked us,.rpa-
ton, hewas well aware, would constitute pre-
cedent for another, until, by series Of unwar-
rantahle measures, adopted at various, and il
may be distant dates, The distinctive character
istics Of the original covenant no longer exist
ed in practice. The time of resistance to un-
lawful authority is at the commencement of its
assaults, because the power of the many, under
the panopiy Of might, is perpetaally cncroact.
ing on the rights ci the few The tendency of
all maori:ics, moreover, is to despotisai. II
their recognition OF the Ordinance of 'E1, iin-
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