Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-03-07


Act' itself clearly shows it did; then it must
have looked beyond the General Government
for the remedy. 1t looked to separate State
action. There was no other remedy /
trust we have now answered the question
proposed. 1t is not required of US, nor is it
proper at this time to discuss full y the question
whether the State ought to take separate ac-
ton if the Southern Congress shall fail. A di-
vision in public opinion in South Carolina on
this vital question is greatly to he deplored.-
On its proper decision sincerely believe, hangs
our own safety and happiness and also the sal.
vation of the South. believe that South Caro-,
lima may be compelled to act alone, or sink
down into disgraceful submission. leading to
our inevitable ruin. And believe further, that
unless we Oh this emergency, separate, AND
within one or two years, that the South never
will act That her doom is sealed; with slave
nv abolished, and her condition made as poor,
wretched and degraded as the abolitionist or
her greatest enemy would desire. Rest assn.
red If the South is unable to unite in resistance
now she never. can hereafter resist in any form.
Her cup of present suffering is large enough
and more than she ought to bear. Every day
she is growing weaker and her enemy growing
stronger. Butwhat is worse than all this, her
once noble spirit is gradually sinking down and
becoming abased under the regular and con-
slant coufliction of her oppressor.
Separate State action is neither to be avoid
ed nor dreaded The proceeding is Constitu-
tional and peaceful. And no wars, no blood
shed, and no perplexing difficulties with the
General Government will result, or the hest re-
flrction that have been able to give the SUBJ
ject is greatly at fault. Out of sound policy
the General Government would be forced to
acquesce Would the other Southern States
unite with South Carolina in Southern Con.
tederacy after she had successfully put in mo-
ton the great work of Southern redemption
Now that all danger was over, every motive of
deep interest and feeling would influence them
to leave ruinous, and form safer and more
advantageous connection. | am in favor Of
waiting in good faith on our sister slave States,
and of giving them reasonable time to unite
with US in our great remedy; yet | doubt whe-
ther the separate action of any Southern State
would not bring about Southern Confederacy
in shorter time, and with more certainty and
as little danger. We would notsexpect of S.
Carolina long t. remain a separate Govern
ment Eighteen months, and it need not be
more than twelve or six, would not elapse be.
fore some Southern State would join her in the
movement. Either Mississippi or Alabama or
both, or some others would first unite, and the
rest, rs | confidently believe, would soon fol-
low the example Nor is the size and resourc-
es of South Carolina and her capacities for
sclf:sustainiig and aourishing Government to
be ridiculed or despsed. Her territory EN-.
braces $4,000 square miles. The whole Of the
five New England States, New Hampshire,
Vermont Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
Rhode Island together, have only 81 $50 square
miles. The great States OF New York,
and Pennsylvania have, the first, but $1,000,
and the latter only 10000 square miles, The
territory of South Carolina is larger than ma.
jority Of the old and established governments
of Europe. Denmark has II ,6l5 square miles,
Holland II ,47O, Belgium 1850, Switzerland
l7,20S, Bovaria, 2S,435, Saxony, 5,705, Han
over $4,000, and Portugal, once Il powerful
nation, has only "a, 800 square miles.
The present population of South Carolina in
round numbers is about 100000 inhabitants,
white and black. With fraction over sixty
persons to the square mile, her population wonld
he two millions. Massachusetts has now %,
Rhode Island SS, and Connecticut Is persons
to the square mile. Maryland, slave holding
State, has so inhabitants to the square mile,
and South Carolina, with all the arts and pur-
suits Of Lille in an improved condition could well
bear a population Of two millions, aud might
be greater. The resources OF South Carolina
have been greatly underrated. Her imports
must equal her exports, with the profits of trade
(trom II IL to % per cent? to be added. The
imports must then amount to twenty-five mil
lions, five hundred thousand dollars, (S22, 800.
OOO) tariff of duties at twenty per cent,
would bring Il revenue of four million, five hun
dred thousand dollars. The present amount
and mod Asxetion would support the com.
mon opeSl I'd our Government as it low
does; leaving if all required) the import duties
to support and dcfray the expenses of our For
eign Relations And after we reflect, that for
many years following our revolution; the whole
revenue of the Federal Government, did not
much exceed four and a halt millions, and that
the increase Of trade and commerce from i,-
crcasug population, would soon raise our in
come to seven or eight millions; our resources
would be ample to rear ourselves government
respectable and able to support her indepen-
dcnce aud protect our liberty.
We deceive ourselves, if we suppose a large
territory and extensive resources essential to
good or permanent Government The Repnb.
lie of Switzerland with small territory about
half as large as South Carolina, and Il populil-
ton of two million, two hundred thousand in.