Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-08-04
SEM. WEEKLY CAMDEN JOURNAL.
From the Winnsboro Register
letter frOm j. A. Woodward.

Grxr1ruES: In connection with other gen.
tlamen was invited to attend a celebration
on the 9TH inst, at Traps Store. The ex-
pressed object of the invitation was to obtain
an expression of our views on the political
questions of the day. Physical indisposlton
rendered it inadvisable that | should attend
and make an address, and supposing it woand
be equally satisfactory, if not more so, to
make known my views through the press, en-
gagged to adopt that method.
I cannot suppose that there was any desire
to obtain from me an expression OF my views on
any question the discussion of which preceded
the late act OF the Legislature, calling con,
yention of the people of the State. On all
such questions, and whatever was incident to
themI have so frequently, sofully so specifically,
in so many forms, and at so many places express.
ed myself that no one desiring to know could
fail to be informed how stood. am obliged,
therefore, to infer that the call made upon me
had reference to issues that have arisen since
the action of the Legislature. What these is
sues are, presume fully understand
1t appears to me to be the policy of portion
of those opposed to the call of convention
to prevent its assembling, and for this purpose
they are in favor Of the Legislature at Its next
meeting, declining to pass law indicating
time for the convention to meet
am, for various reasons, altogether opposed
to such a course. 1t would be in der
oeaton to the rights of the convention. The
convention, though not in form organized, IS
vet in substance an existing body. 10 per-
feet it, nothing remains to be done but what is
to be done by the delegates elect themselves.
The time of its meeting constitute no part OF
its form or substance, but is matter wholly ex-
ternal to it, and accidental.
AS to this matter, o Legislature in its next
session will bear ministerial relation to itself
in IT'S late session; because the rights OF body
of.deIeeates, superior in nature and dignity to
the LEGISLATURE, are involved. The Legislature,
therefore, is bound as perfectly as in the nature
of Thugs It is possible to place Legislature
under a legal obligation, to fix time Tor the
convention to meet. ~ - stE eari - -
The rights land, authority of the people are
iayolyedkip this question. ltInust be assumed
to be the will of the people that their delegates
should meet. This will has been expressed
since the elections by which it was their will
to bring the present Legislature into existance.
Shall the precious will Of, the people, qualified
by the forms of the Constitution and the strue-
ture ofthe Government, be made paramount to
their subsequent will unqualified by any forms.
/ say unqualified, for convention is the Peo.
It is mot stating the proposition strongly
enough to say that the Legislature cannot, IN
good faith, refuse to fix a time for the conven-
ton 10 meet. 1t has no right to do so, True,
there tx no legal process, by which it can be
compelled to do its duty in this particular; but
neither is there any such process by which 1t
can he compelled to discharge any other duty
The constitution Of State, though the supreme
lar, can, vet impose no other necessity on the
Legislature than that of a perfect moral, obiSSa-
ton: and for the honor of civilized society
could fain hope that no higher necessity might
ever be needed.
Entertaining this sentiment, / shall not deem
it worth whileto argue what incline to believe
is true--that the Legislature being in default,
the delegates elect would have the right to
meet and organize; and, having done so, would
constitute legitimate convention OF the peo-
ple of South Carolina. 1t is conceded that
this would not be true Of bodies subject to,
higher jurisdictions, and possessing only ierl'a-
tive authority but it does not, therefore, follow
that itewouldbe false, in reference to a conven.
ton whose aathorityis supreme over all Others,
and, except in very large sense, underlved;
for convention is the people.
take tfor granted then that when the mat.
ter shall! we duly considered, there viii be found
no respectable body of people, and no body
of respectable people, willing to oppose the
meeting of the convention
But supposing it to have met! the question of
absorbing interest is what shall the convention
dos Incsse no other State be ready to cooper
ate, shall it ordain secession ordec!ine to do so,
and only take such measures as may be deemed
expedient, in order to procure cooperation.
Ia relation tosthis matter, my FIRST observation
is that it seems inappropriate, under existing
circumstances, to call for the formal and public
announcement of the opinions and views ofin;
dividuals. The question has been committed
to a convention, that body has already been
chosen, and when it meets, it will possess alb
solnte authority to decide. What matters it
what my individual opinions are! Now, the
question what my positioais, is quite differ
ent thing. Every man, botl, public aud private,
should hold position and let it be known. |
do occupy a position, and it is this, that every
citizens Of tic State should abide the decision
Of the convention. .. -..
To demand of me the publication OF my
individual sentiments as to what the conven
ton should do, aud yet deny to me the right to
send with them all the reasons upon which they