Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-09-16

Cantey, Shannon and Patterson.) Now remeni-
Der, this was a test question it was to decide
whether the Delegates were go for co-opera-
ton or not; its avowed object was to find who
were the secession men, and who were for CO.
operation. Tte interrogation wanted to be an
swered without "equirocation or doubt"
And now mark the responses.
First, Mr.. SHANNON, in answer to the query,
replied that he would unbesitatiugly say, that if
we had no hope OF cooperation, that lie was
opposed to separate State action, still, under
continued aggressions, he might be imPelled to
advocate it as "dernier resort"-but if he is
elected, he must 60 free and uatrammeIled."
Mr. PATTERSON said, in substance, he was
in favor of cooperation, and was: willing to
wait for it, and if we could not obtain it, then
he was in favor of separate State action. GAS
to the time when South Carolina should secede
alone, depends much upon future events, and
am unwilling to embarross myself wih pledge,
thinking it should be left to the prudence and
sound discretion ot those whom you may ho-
nor with your confidence"
NAL CANTEy said, in substauce he was
willing to wait reasonable time" for coop.
Grafton, if then it could not be obtained, he
was in favor of separate State action; but goes
on to say, 81 wish it to be understood tllt
am to take my seat mniramn,el'ed, and act ac-
cordng to the circumstances that may exist at
the time"
Mn. LANG said substantially ly-he wished for
co operation, but lift could not be obtained, he
was in favor of Carolina's acting alone, and
then in conclusion, says: "This is my opinion
as at present advised, not pledging myself to
any particular course of action, irrespective of
circumstances that may arise affecting the ex-
pediency of the step." 1T will be seen, that
not one Of the four pledged themselves to sep.
arate State acton-there was indeed a differ
ence OF opinion as to the remedy for our griev-
ance between MIR. Shannon and the other re.
spending canddates-that is not the point un-
der consideration -and they all agreed in one
thing, namely, not pledging themselves. There
was plainly then no issue made All the can
didates that answered, stood all together
there may have been private pledging among
the candidates-of this we know nothing.
There, in the Journal, was the public refusal
to pledge, and in relation to that matter, Messrs.
Cantey, Lang. Patterson and Shannon, all
stood by these answers, on precisely the same
platsorm--that is, they tied themselves down
to no particular course Of action. 1t would
have been ridiculous if they had "
The day of election at last arrived and past
nothing extraordinary occurred--all was
quiet-there seemed to be no greater number of
persons in town from the surrounding country,
than we usually find on Bank day every week.
In Camden, there were POT votes poed, little
more than halfas many ashad been cast for cap
tain ofthe Beat ten days before. There was not
the slightest excitement among the voters of the
Disirict-many Of them did not know that an
election was being I:"ld and did not know the
object ef the election (for very obvious rea.
sons,) and the great ma jority stayed at home
without voting at all, and out OF Il Districtttlat
in lS4S polled s06 votes for CLERK of die'Court,
but 3G4 votes were cast for Delegates to
Convention whose object, we are told, is to up
set the whole government, and construct new
one for us and future generations One of the
boxes that in 1913 cast 100 roics for Clerk, at
the election for Delegates to The Convention
cast only rotrs !! And from one Box in
populous part Of the District, we never have
had any return I've do not even know that the
Polls were opened. learn by diiigent inquiry
that the box was opened, and about twenty votes
poiled, and return made. | however, can
find no such return. Now is there greater
absurdity? Can any thing be more ridiculous,
than for the Journal, in the face Of this mcager
vote, when there was no issue presented, even
to the few that voted. in the face Of this partial
return, to say that This District went for SEcEs-
SION! Yet the Journal announced the result
as follows: "KERsHAw has planted her ban
ner on SECESSION GRoUND--Cantey, Lang and
Patterson" when have just shown that these
three gentlemen expressly declined pledging
themselves publicly, and that not one half the
voters OF the District went to the polls. | think
it can be clearly drawn from the above, that
this District did not give an expression of opin-
ion III favor OF separate State action by elect
ing Lang, Cantey and Patterson. No; not
even did the 364 votes give an expression of
opinion, for there was no issue made
1t seems to be plain Mr.. Editor, that the
District is not pledged to Secession by the cleo
ton of separate State action Delegates, not
withstanding your confident announcement to
the contrary.
In my next | propose to consider whether
they pledged themselves by their resolutions
adopted at their several District meetings. |
hereunto annex statement of the number of
votes polled last February, which owing to
some cause, has never before been published:
Election for Delegates TO State Convention
Flat Rock, 46
Goodwyn's Store, - 26
Liberty Hill, 33