Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-07-08

times, supply an important political desdera-
tum and AS it will be entirely national IN its
character, i may be read with equal interest
BY those of all SECTIONS and Of every party.
GOV. SEABROOK, OF S. CAROLINA.
Whitemarsh b. Seabrook was born on Eds
to Island, Parish of st. johns Goleton South
Carolina, on the 3Oth of June, l193. IN Octo.
bar, 1912, he graduated with distinction, at
Princeton College, New Jersey. Oa his re.
turn home, he prosecuted, for two years, the
study OF the Law, solely for the acquisition OF
useful knowledge. In about four months alter
he had attained the age of twenty-one years, lie
was elected member Of the Legislature. In
the House of Representatives he served Tor
twelve consecutive years, and in the Senate tor
eight years Except at the first election, he
never had opposition. From impaired health,
he retired from the post which a generous con-
stituency had so long committed TO his charge
after the December session of 1888. The conf
mittee appointed at public meeting of the
PsriisH, called in the following year to nominate
suitable persons to represent taenl III the Leg
islature, after alluding to the dangers when
impended over the State, concluded their letter
to him in the following terms: "Io whom,
then, can we look save to those who by their
zeal and talents have justly won the confidence
Of the people, and by long experience are able
to direct with safety the c"anscls Of the State"
During the controversy between the General
Government and South Carolina, Mr. Seabrook
was Chairman of the Committee Oh Federal
Relations in the Senate. Among many mpor-
tant papers which emanated from his pen, might
be named bill for the call Of 4 State Conven-
tion, reported in 1880, and an able report on
the assumption Of the power by the central au-
thority TO use force against member OF the
Union.
Mr.. Seabrook has been twice an Elector OF
President and Vice President of III" United
States, and, in December, 1881, without his
consent or knowledge, he was elected by the
LEGISLATURE Lieutenant Governor OF the State.
From the commencement OF his political ca
reer. he has been warm and consistent mem-
Der of the Jcffrrsonan school. Early in 1897,
seeing with alarm the tendency, as he th"nght,
of the Federal Government to consolidation, he
penned the first resolutions, at a rAeetIig .! his
fellow .parishoners, adopted III the State, which
proclaimed the necessity of prompt and ener-
petc measures to arrest the course OF Congrcs-
sional usurpaton.
His withdrawal fo- about thirteen years from
the arena of political contests, VAS not, how
ever, a retirement into private l!a On the con-
trary, his public services continued unahatcd,
though employed III another and less consiic-
nous vocation From his ccaSrlr5s efforts to
ascertain and dcyeope her agricultural resonr-
ces, the most valuable results have already ac-
crucd to South Carolina. For the four years
of its existence, Mr. Seabrook was President
of the first State Agricultural Soccty. On the
formation of the second organized on differ
ent basis, he succeeded Gov. .>obl" as prrsi
d;ag officer, and in that canacit: he i; now
officiating.
The lo,u and faithful services rendered the
home of his birth, in the field of agriculture,
by Gov. Seabrook, are fully appreciated by the
peoplc of the State. Indeed, it may with truth
be affirmed, that, as a writer on agriculture, his
reputation is co.eXtcnsive with the lnIon.
Among his publications, the memoir on the cot
ton plant may be cited rs an Illustration OF his
learning. capacity for research and style OF
composition.
In December, 1918, he was elected Cover
nor Of the State. Perhaps no man, Ill the DIS
charge of public trust, ever exhibited more
assiduitv and iathtulncss. so great were his
activity and vigilance that, in a few months after
he had been in Office he received and sustained
throughout his administration, the soabrilact of
the "workng Governor" Within the sphere
of his acknowledged obligations, aud even III
reference to matters not strictly pertaining to
his dep ,rtmcnt, he displayed much discretion
and prudence and a remarkable aptitude Tor
business Educational and agricultural pro-
gress and reform we're, in his Judgment, the
paramount subjects of domestic consideration.
Gov. Seahrooks term Of office was one OF
uncommon delicacy and responsibility. In re-
ference to the Successors of the distinguished
Calhoun and Elmore; both of whom died with
in less than two months of each other, while in
the discharge Of their duties, as United States
Senators, the State with rare unanlml'y sane,
toned his appointments.
At his own suggestion, he had been requested
by the Legislature to convene that body on the
passape of the Wilmot Proviso, or any kindred
measure. Although the contingency did hap
pen, vet for reasons which he communicated to
the public. he refused to obey what he had good
grounds for thinking was at the time the voice
of the people. Conscious of the integrity OF
his purpose, he felt an abiding assurance that
the public would eventually sustain his resoiu-
zion The result proved that it was one OF the
st popular acts of his political life.