Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-08-29
SEPARATE STATE SCESSION
PRACTICALLY DISCUSSED IN 4
SERIES OF ARTICLES.
ubliShCi Originally in The Edgrfield Advertiser,
BY RUTLEDGE.
BY RUTLEDGE.
NO. TX.
Should South Caro'ina strike for her Indrpeh-
dence ? (Coaciuded)

deRcf \CoattHeu)
In ancient Athens, when Macedonian ag.
gressions were the topics of excitement among
the States OF Greece, two rival statesmen, Pho.
cIoH and DEMosTnENEs, urged the State to q
different policy. PuocIoS. virtuous patriot,
of the utmost wisdom and m0ustaton, and con-
spicuous in his valor, dreading failure from any
attempt at resistance, exhorted to quiet mac.
llvity. TO the fierce Phillipies OF DExos
THEMES, in which the greet orator employed
his stormy cloquence TO rouse his countrymen
to Immediate action against the Northern ty.
rant, Phocion replied:
81 will recommend to you, 0 Athenians, TO
go to war when find you capable of support
ing war; when | see the youth of the Repub
lie animated with courage, yet submissive and
obedient the rich cleeriui!y contributing to
the neccssaries of the State; and the orators
no longer cheating and pilaging the public"
Athens was degenerate, and there may have
been prudence and saIcty in this advice; Yet
who can fail to admire the boIder counsels Of
Demostnenes, who sought with all the ener-
gies of his nature, to urge his countrymen to
maintain the National honor to enkinde anew
IN their bosoms, if possible, the expiring flame
of liberty; or since it WAS destined to expire,
to cause it to 90 out in blaze Of patriotic ex.
ertion?
But We console ourselves with the belief,
that the advice of Phocion is not demanded by
the exegencies of our case. Are we degeucr:
ate, like the Atilcnians Of that day! Have
we lost the courage and patriotism capable Of
supporting war! are the sous Of our State lin-
willing t. contribute their money and services
to maintain our liberties No! no. impossi-
bic. Why, then, should we not strike, for our
independence? 1t is said, we arc too weak
This is the old alarnm, which is always sounded
on the approach Of resistance to tyranny. 1t
was much employed il we mistake not, prior
tn the American Revolution. But our brave
Fathers did not heed it. What! is Il nation,
because it is small, to surrender lis lights aud
liberties without even struggle! This wnhld
be To forfeit all claim to the respect and ad-
mratiou of mankind. II it were even blind
leap into the dark, without any light from his.
tory. we couhi never consent ti!nt "nr State
slo;,Ld ,va,,. the responsibilities OF resistance
upnu 80 slender AN a.ryaIrrnt but when W.
niicr from the past tie. her"Ic resolves and
c;,vaIruus conduct of numerous small powers,
on behalf of liberty, our bosom IS animated
with the fire of genuine hope, and we can urge
oar State to bold aud a,anl action il something
ot the confd"u of success.
Let us look through the pages OF history, and
take courage from the experience OF nations.
We pass over the well known hcrois'n of the
small Spartan band. ut the straits at Their
MnryLE fighting inr the liberties "t all Greece.
We merely aIiudc to the noble strugglc OF PL>.
TEA, little Town in Reotia, IN urirnce OF lis
ans, and ll0 women and children, sustained
sie.e and blockade for two years. against the
power of the combined States of Pelop"ilnesus
and when exhausted OF all supplies, one hall oi
the garrison cut their way through the thick
ranks of the enemy, and made their escape
We will not stop either to admire the heroic
conduct of the Atheniuns, who sooner than
WELD their liberties To the per>lans, many
times their number, deserted their lands, houses
and property, and with their slaves and iamI-
lies took to their ships, resolved never TO be
subduad.
Passing over many such contests in antlqnl
ty, we come ut once TO more modern times.
|. The struggle of the Swiss for indepen.
dence was begun by Il mere handful ot men, III
the cantoms of SwElrz, URI and USrERwALD.
upon an indgnity offered TO WILLI'h IELL'
With 400 or 800 men they met n regular force
of 10000, under the Arch-Duke Leopold OF
Austria, at the pass of MoRGARTEN, and de
fraled them with slaughter 4. ID. l3l5.l En-.
courageL by this open act Of resi- ,ta"c"' other
cantons joined; but tue band, still small, nobly
II. f,I,