Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-12-16
Legislative Proceedings.
COLUMBIA. December


Conference recommending its passage.
Mr.. Barnes, from the military committee,
reported resolution, appropriatirg $4,000
for enarging the Arsenal Academy. @
After the transaction of some further busl-
ness, the Senate adjourned to Monday.
In the House large number of petitions
were presented.
Mr.. Chcsnut, from the committee Of the
whole which sat on Friday reported the bank
bill with amendments; which together with the
bill 20 e.chartcr the bank of The State, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Hunt, Was made the special order
Of the day for Monday, at o'clock.
On motion Of Mr.. Aver, the special order
was called for, being the bill to fix the time for
the meeting of the convention, together with
sundry resolutions touching our federal rela-
lions. The House resolved itselfinto committee
OF The whole, Mr.. M"mminger in the chair.
Mr. Aver said 1t is known that it was as
! the humble organ Of the secession party, ap-
! pointed to that duty, introduced the bill for
assembling the convention. had not intend
ed sir, to say one word on the subject of it
further than to move its passage. Nor do
now intend to discuss the bill; for cannot see
even Il plausible objection to it. Should any
he made may hereafter crave the Indulgence
of the committee in reply. rise now simply
TO say n few words in reference to all those
other matters which have been referred along
with that bill, to this committee for consIdera-
ton. Bv the fifth section OF the act OF the last
session, ordaining convention of the people,
thc entire subject of our federal relations is
! transferred to that convention, with the one
simple reservation to this Legislature OF the
power to fix the time for its assembling.
| therefore with confidence submit that this Lc-
cislatnre has no further jurisdiction over the
subject of federal relations which have been re-
frrred to this committee. They have passed,
l.y o":. hnynnd our control. 1t Will
be admitted, [ think, by all, that no action we
may take on them can bind the convention.-
Then why introduce them here And, even if
we had the right, where is the necessity for US
TO pronounce al opinion in our Legislative ca
pacty on those subjrcts9 Is not the conven-
ton as competent as the Legislature to judge
and to determine what decision the people have
made in the recent election9 Will the con.
venton not be as much disposed and as likely
as any Legislature to obey the will ofth peo-
pie! Sir, there can be no doubt of it.
The bill which had the honor to introduce
does not presume to indicate any course of ac-
ton to the convention. | sincerely trust that
the other measures before us, esSaving to do
so will not be pressed. Why shoald we, when
there is no call for it, when there is no neces.
sitv for it, when there is no right ior it, enter
into the discussion of topics which can effect
no good; but which must tend inevitably to
widen, and deepen, and fret, and eXacerbatc
the diversity of feeling and opinion that now
exists among us. 1t may be, sir, it may be,
that events will transpire between this and the
assembling of the convention which will pro.
ducc a unanimity of sentiment among us. God
grant that it may be so! From my heart and
with nv whole heart do | desire that we may
soon once more be able to say in the language of
y resolution of our General Assembly Of lS4O,
&" that the people of this State have cause to
congratulate themselves that the party feuds
which lately weakened the vigor of its coun-
sells have happily ceased, and that South Caro-
Ina now presents to the enemies of her policy
and pcace an undivided front, and is prepared,
as she is resolved, to rcpel by all proper means,
every aggression upon her rig hts as sovereign
rcpublic the Instant that aggression is attempt
cd" We doubtless all desire it. Then let US
refrain from any thing and every thing calcu-
lated to defeat such Il happy result. Let US
pass the act to convene the convention, and no
more Let us not enter unnecessarily and will
ruy into the discussion Of these exciting party
questions, lest passion obtain the mastery of
patriotism-" lest we may betray our trust and
lower our mind aud to party give up what was
meant for mankind" Yea give up may it be
in the end our free, oar cherished institutions
give up it may be, and forever, our glorious
blood-bought liberty.
Let us all here now, ut this session Of the
General Assembly, bend our united efforts to
allay and remove rs far rs possible those untor-
tunate party leuds which Of late have torn and
laceratcd the bosom of our State. Let us all
strive together so to dispose of the questions
before us, that when our work shall have ended,
when our labors shall be done, and the time ar
rives for us to separate and return to our con-
stitucnts and our homes, we may view the re-
cord of our acts, and feel that with confidence
wc could nscrbc upon it the pleasing, grateful
thourht, q" hGc olim mcminisSc .jurabh'
Mir. Wilkes said it had not been his purpose
10 participate III the debate, but he felt impcl.
led from his position, TO state the reasons why
he should oppose the calling of the convention;
This gentleman then went into metaphysical