Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-10-10

where they listened for near five hours, with the
most undivided attention, to the able addresses Of
the speakers. Few meetings ofthe kind have oc-
CURED, where, in 80 large concourse of people,
quiet and good order prevailed, not an incident
occurring to mar the harmony and the propriety of
the days proceedings. Martin Crawford, Esq. IN
few words appropriate to the occasion, introdu-
ced the speakers to the audience, naming first,
COL John s. Preston, of Columbia. This gentle
man said he would have declined the present can
vass had he not been forced into the position by
the other party From the beginning of this agi-
tation, he had been known as Co-operationst-
he had so declared himself in speech in the last
legislature, and on various occasions since. And
on account of the opinions he had thus entertain
ed and expressed, he had been nominated by
highly honorable and distinguished Secessonist,
for the Southern Congress, which was Cooper
alton measure. He was supported by his irends
of both parties. But latterly, those whom he must
now call his political opponents, had suddenly, in
manner that was we'll known, discarded him as
an enemy, whom they had been entertaining, and
brought out candidates from their own party, and
thus brought about the present contention in this
Congressional District. If he could not approve
the manner and spirit in which all this had been
done, he at least must thank the Secession party
for giving him as opponents, gentlemen OF ability,
honor and high-toned sentiments. The argu-
ments which he then produced against the policy
of separate Secession as remedy for our polItl-
cal grievances, were too numerous to be detailed
in communication ofths character. This State
was bound to the Federal Government in more
ways than one, but principally by the interest of
the latter. If then, this Government should ac-
knowledge the right of Secession and assent TO
its exercise she would exhibit an instance of self
destruction on the part of powerful Government
unparalleled in history. She would rather, with
her proverbal wisdom, protect her interest, and
treat the State as revolted piovince-in which
| light the world would consider it. She could ca
silly, by her influence as powerful nation, by
compromising oounties, &c., destroy our home
and foreign market, by making it the interest Of
our customers TO trade in other ports-Savannah,
New Orleans &c. Our necessary supplies would
thus be cut off. and our productions rot on the
docks in Charleston or be consumed by duties
and exactons at Augusta. Our people would be
bankrupt impoverished, and discontented This
would be no remedy-it would bring about no
Southern Confederacy. Again, admitting that
the General Government should be so impolItic as
TO resort to coercon-he proceeded to show what
would be the faal consequences of long and
bloody war, assisted as we might be, by citizens
from other Southern States, Of which our soil
alone would be the scene. In would be bellum
iniernecinum,"-a struggle in which we could
| hope only for annihiaton. After considering
length, number Of other points, he demonstra-
ted the incapaci.y of the State 10 form, rather
its inaptitude to be formed into a Government
that would secure and perpetuate the liberties of
the people. The best that could be, from the ma
ture of the circumstances, organized, would be
Single Consolidated Democratic Republic He
then reviewed the history of this form Of Govern
ment, and sketched beautifully, and with much
force, the rise and fall Of Athens, Rome, Later lta-
", Venice, Genoa, &C., TO establish the fact that
this form Of Government invariably became the
most corrupt, tyrannica and bloody. Aye, and
modern France, the most polite, refined and civil
| lied OF nations, where the arts and sciences so
flourish, presents bloody example of what we
are to expect Of single, consolidated Democratic
Republic. He farther demonstrated, by a legt-
mate process of reasoning, that the consequences
ofseparate secession would be oppugnant to the
interests Of the co-southern States, and that so
far from abetting the act, they would protect them
selves against its injurious results. He pointed
out the wise, moderate and cautious policy of our
revolutionary ancestors as guide and example
IN our present troubles. The stamp act of 1864
did not precipitate Massachusetts into the false
step of solitary secession or rebellion. Many
meetings, many conventions, many congregations
were held before The cooperation Of all the Colo
nies was obtaned-and when the representatives
IN the Congress found they were in advance Of
the people, they disbanded and returned to their
constituents, that the people might again speak
through the ballot box. COL Preston's address
presented an array Of sound argument, deep
thought, and profound reasoning, while along the
surface continually played flashes of pure and
burning eoquence. Col. p is by nature all ora
tor, and while we admire the ease and proprety
of his studied manner, are carried away BY
species of wild, untrammelled grace, which no
imitation or study can acquire. The tones of his
voice, at one time soft and musical, and again full
4 al.