Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-09-05
WORDS OF TRUTH AND WISDOM, VI
LTo Re CONTINUED I

| WORDS OF TRUTH AND WISDOM
We make the following extract from lei,
ter addressed to his former constituents by the
Hon. James A. Seddon, the able Representas
tive of tie Richmond District, Va. in which,
on account of ill health, he declines being
candidate for reelection: r> '.'t Z S9ss
"The seeds of incalculabie future evils wer1s
sown in the mis- called compromise measures
of the last Congress, and must, even more sures
ly than in the case of the ordna1cs Of 'S7, and
the Missouri Compromise, now almost aniyes..
sally at the South conceded to have 4beeff the
fruitful source of our present dangers, ripento
| pernieious harvest of mischief The partial
reaction, which has taken place at the NORTH,
in resistance to cAbolition Fanatcisri, though
claimed for this compromise, is really due only
to the strong manifestations of discomfort OF
the South, and determination there to endure
! no further aggression and conclusively indi-
Gates how much more full, by concert of action
and union ofsentiment on the part Of ourspeo.
le and their representatives at an earlier peri.
cd, our wrongs might have been avcrted and
our rights vindicated To render this reaction
effective for any future good, tits indispensar
bic that its causes should be actively continued
and increased Ceaseiess Igilance:in discoy-
erng and promptitude aud unanimity in assert
ing our rights and our constitutional guaran-
tees, can alone give chance of perpetuating
the Union as our fathers made it, and of MAIN
tanning our institutions and, property in security
and peace. The indications of the future, not
wthstanding the seeming lull which has nax
turally followed the late extreme excitement,
arc full o.monition and danger. The free soilor.
ganzation, lately in effective .ascendency
throughout the whole North, has been, by the
attainment fits leading end, partially disband.
ed but its constituent forces have been BY kin.
drcd aliinitics attracted to and are now being
merged in the arowcd Abolition party That
party this day exalts its crest higher, and is
more bold, defiant and numerous than at any
previous period OF our history. With its ulte.
rior designs concur many magn inhuences;
not the least of which may be found il the cant
pesudo philanthropy Of the day, which it is the
fashion to dignity with tho name and honor
with the Importance of the moral sentiment of
the world This party from a sagacious fore,
sight of the only instrumentalities through
which it can hope for the ultimate accomplish
mcnt of its fell designs allies itself too with the
most bigoted adherents Of ancient Federalism,
and seeking to PROSTATE the securest bulwarks
of our rights the State sovereigntes strives to-.
to consolidate and uatonalize Great Central
Government. With insdous cunning nvokes
the name Of Union, and clamorously appeals to
the fear of tie tmd, and the hopes of the grave,
to the sacred associations of the past and the
proud auticipatious of the future, in order to
malign the motives and destroy the usefulness
of the truest friends both OF the Union and
South because the most vigilant guardians of
the constitution and the sternest opponents Of
the unhoIy designs of these Evolves in sleeps
clothing"
No inconsderabe portion of the Southern
people themselves have been weak and blind
enough to be deluded by these devices, and
loudly swell the chorus of paans to their op-
pressors, of obloquy and reproach to their de-
tenders. Meantime, III greater or less degree,
have been brought under abolitioninfuences the
press--the schoolhouse, the pulpit ofthe North
and through their agencies, the people and in.
stitutions of the South are Systematically. ,deri-
ded and nlaligned, and the principal inculcated,
that by the strong hand of the Federal Govern
mcnt, is all organized action, even of the State
soveregnties for their protection and defence,
to be crushed and cxtinguished. These ten
dencies, unchecked, can have but one result,
and that at no distant day. Upou the subver.
ted foundations of our simple constitutional
system, will be established the worst form Of
despotism; great consolidated government,
without limitation of powers, administered at
the will and according to the caprice or inter-
est of a mere numerical majority. The major.
ity must be at the North, and. il, already, the
sentiments and sympathies of its masses are so
strongly arrayed against our property and ins
stitutons, what of peace and security car. be
hoped for in the future, from its thickening
numbers, its swelling tide of fanaticism, preju.
dice and cupdty Under its administration
of unlimited power, we of the South would
speedily have no alternative, but abiect sub.
mission, ruin and desolation, or forcible dis
ruption and civil war, with no right acknowl.s,
edged US, but that of the worm, "to turn when
trod upon" ',.''''' ~ 'fa1F