Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-05-20
From tic Augusta Ccnsii,u'ioaa!'~
ADDRESS OF THE CONVENTION OF
SOUTHERN RIGHTS ASSOCIATIONS
OF cOITTIJ J.CaRnIINA

Differences of opinion will and do exist, in
the South, as to the extent and degrading char
actcr of the hostile action Of the Federal Gov
ernment upon the rights of the Southern peo
pie, and also as to whether any course iorre
dress should be adopted, and if so, what course
While candid mints, even in the North, frankly
admit that great injustice has been done the
South, there ara intelligent Southern men, Of
such obliquity OF mental vision, or so devoid of
those nice sensibilites which render Il free peo-
pie jealous of their rights and their honor, and
quick to resent 4 wrong, who honestly contend
that the Southern people have nothing to con-
lain oc; no wrongs to redress; no ground on
which to demand rcparation for past injustice
Others, taking council Of their timidity, and anx-
ious for repose and quiet, however inglorous,
while admitting that injustice has been done
The South, are willing to submit. for fear of
greater practical evils. Others, again, politicians
by profession, knowing and approaching full
we'll all the enormity of the wrongs and the
sure tendency ofeverts under continued submis-
sion by the South, to repeated and redoubled
outrage, have personal interest in quieting ex-
citcment, in lulling to a false security, and in
persuading the people to be content wisithings
as they are.
In South Carolina, these distracting infuen-
ces exist to but little extent, and her people are
in condition to view the subject in its true
bearings. Differences do exist, of grave char.
acter, as to the proper remedy, but opinion, in
South Carolina, is unanimous rs to the wrong.
The Address put forth by her Convention of
Southern Rights Associations, is entitled to
great weight and consideration throughout the
Union, as truthfal index ofthe sentiment of
thatState. tits entitled to especial cohsdera-
ton throughout the Southern States, because
it declares, in impressive terms, the resistance
of South Carolina to separate her destiny from
that which awaits her Southern sisters.
The following passage deserves long to he
remembered and may hereafter be suggestive
ofbitter regrets on the part ofthe Southern
people: -4 So.
t4We wish that the necessity for separate ac-
ton by Sonth Carolina, which we have con-
templated, may be averted. We con6dein the
gallant spirits whom we address. There may
be some hope Of the assembling Of q Southern
Congress, to devise measures ofredress aud re-,
lief, upon which some of the injured States
may unite. We have heretofore been willing,
to sacrifice much for Southern Union. We still
are. We do not desire. to lead, but to follow.
Propose any effectuai measures for vindicating
our common rights, and providing for our COM
mon safety, and we will heartily unite with
You in carrying thern.@ -
Had the entire South been ms South Caro-
lima is, a unit as to the grossness of the fraud
sought to be perpetrated'upon her in depriving
her of her share of the acquired territories, aud
in denying to her the right ofever extending
the arena of slavery beyond its'present limits,
the'fraud would not have been consuhmated.
Were the South now united as South Caro-
lima is, wrong perPetrated could = be-. seven
at this late. day,s in a measure, undone-
the division line of36 80 would be run through
California to the Pacific, and all South of that
line would be open to the South and her slave
institutions -
But there, is no such UEion4 OF the South, and
no immediate prospect of it. The great ma
jority Of her people are willing to submit to the
fraudsand the injustice. Virginia and Georgia
have soSsoiemnly decided, and the same dccis;.
ion issvirtually made in nearly all the other
slavehofding States.
The Address further saws:
'.In all these proceedings, VIC think that the
citizens of South Carolina have evinced all pro.
per anxiety to avoid the appearance of arro-
gancc or dctation, to act in concert with the
citizens of the OTHER Southern States, and to
do nothing separately. And now, strongly as
we, haze expressed our belief that there is no
hope for the South il, the existing Union, we
are prepared TO give a trial, fairly and in good
faith, to any efectual plan which may bepropos-
ed BY any sister State OF the South, for obtaining
redress for the past and security for the future,
without dissolution of the existing Union, if
there boa possibility OF such consummation.
In thefacc oft.is notorious willingness of the
majority to submit it is vain to call Oh any body
ofmen in the other Southern States, to propose
an effectual measure Of vindicaton. The
Southern people have resolved not to vindcate
their violated rights. They have accepted that
miserable humbug called the Fugitive Slave
Law, the utter incfficiency Of which has alrea-
dy been exhibited in a way which proved the
complete triumph of Abolitiouism over the Con-
stitution, as an equivalent. 1t is law; which,
if worth any thing, the South was already en-
titled to the Constitution, without paying for it.
The law will stand for years upon the statute
book as a solemn mockery of the South; for
as long as it will take five thousands dollars, to
recover slave worth one thousand dollars, the
Northern people will have no adequate motive
to repeal the law. The only motive to repeal
itwoull be to put a wanton insult upon the hum
bfcd and degraded Sonth, as was the case when
they applied the Wimot Proviso to the Oregon