Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-04-04
GOV LEN2KlN, Of GEORGIA.

=
from Gov I,umpkin. of Georgia; but it dwels
on public topics; and t!:ink tast It's pablica'
ton is nrnper AS one indication Of the opinion
and spi;,it of a sister State. Gov. Lnmpkin has
long been one Of the most distinguished and
influential citizens of Georefa> lie was Tor
several wears a member OF tae State Legislature;
then representative in Congress; then Gov.
ernor of the State Tor two terms; and after that,
Senator in Congress. Some years ago he
withdrew from TIE troubled scene rp"i;ica life
to close his days in the peaceihl shades OF III.
dependent retirement. Such man has nothing
to saiii from strife and agitation; and sieiter
expresses the convictions of disiutrrested pat.
riot, who has had the best opportunities OF OBJ,
serving the operations Of the federal govern
u,ent and the conduct of public men; and whose
Judgment has been n,atued by experience, aud
made more perfect by peaceful reflection. Aud
it glows with a spirit of a true hearted Southern
man, who is indignant 1T the oppression OF his
country
ATHENS, Ga, Feb. 22.-Your recently pub
lished letter. to Gov. Gayle, on the subject OF
the present relations of the Southern States to
the Confederacy, induces me to renew our long
suspended correspondence. Your letter calls
up wildly many recollectons of the past con-
nected with our long political struggle to adj
vance what we believe to be the best Interests
IF our common country.
Our very intimate relations for former years
at most critical period of our Republic, and
the unty of spirit which then actuated us, has
left an abiding feeling ofkind regard for you on
NV mind. which time will never obliterate.-
Both of us had a "disresh" for South Caroll-
l.c a. uoIy ha
all the doctrines Of State rights as Jefferson,
Madison, Calhoun or Troupe, aud on that
foundation we still stand. Indeed, we have no
hope for the perpetuity of the Federal Unl"n'
except in an honest, strict adherence to the con.
stitutional compact of our contederacy, which
was intended to form a more perfect union, es.
tahlish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, pro-
vide for the common defence, promote the gen.
eral welfare and secure the blessings OF liberty
to ourselves and to our posterity. a,.-,1 =
NV dear sir-I have labored long aud faith.
fully to preserve and perpetuate the Federal
Union of our fathers. But the systematic, long
continued and oft repeated aggressions OF the
.sIaveholdiug States upon the constitutional
rights of the South, the sectional character OF
those aggregated assaults; together with. the
openly avowed and advancing determination
of despotie majority to overturn and abolish
our institutions to which, might be'snperadded
various other determined violations Of the fed
eral compact, all of these causes, combined,
compel me to consider the existing political
disease of our country incurable. The patient
is in state of despair. 4a 'ps, 80
"Time was" Is there yet time? "Time
will soon be no more" If there yet be time,
WHY do not the South unite and make proper
use of it7 The desperate demagogues-the
tricksters-the office seekers the camp fol
lowers, for the oaves and fishes = these are the
merceuaries misleading the honest masses OF
the South. -
II there be any salvation for the South. the
people, Hercules. like, must lay their shoulders
to the wheels. They have nothing left to de-
pend upon for their future security and safety
but united action in self.defence. BY this they
might vet preserve themselves, and probably
preserve the federal Union: All other hopes
are perfectly and wholly idle; all other ex-
pedients are suicidal They must assert their
own rights, and protect themselves. Northern
pride and fanaticism must be met by Southern
yalor, independence and the most determined
spirit of resistance. consider /" the argument
exhausted"
The only choice now left to the South is de-
graded abject unconditional submission to the
tyranny of hostile permanent majority, gov
erned by no law hut their own will, or manly
resistance: Rebellion, if you please. have
been spared to see my threescore years anu
eight Circumstances from my boyhood taught
ME the value (under God) of self.rcliance and
independence. That spirit has sustained me
through all the grades of an American citizen
have held the plough, driven the team, and
have been numbered with those in high places
have thought, have read, upon the past and
the present. My apprehensons of the future
ifgloomy, are nevertheless based Oh experience,
reflection and history. Most Of our Southern
politicians are corrupted BY the bribes of Office.
The faithful among the faithess deserve our
highest regard aud confidence
My family unite with me in best regards for
you aud yours. As ever, most truly, yours.
= WILSON LUMpklN.
JonN A. CUrnBERr.
Memphis and Charleston Rail Road.-.We
have just risen from the perusal of the report OF