Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-05-30
GENERAL QUITMAN.

In cOUtradlctnS The 1eQeril Sander tu'lL
General Qutman had any connection with the
late abortire Cuban expedition, we stated that
dinner and public reception awaited him at
Jackson, on the 18th instant. We learn from
the Missssirpian Of the 10th that this was all
his most ardent admirers could have desired,
and must have been most gratifying to the feel
ings of he gallant veteran. At Vicksburg ne
was made the guest Of the city, and was re-
ceved by committee with the usual ceremo.
nies, and escorted by procession to the railroad
depot, amid the roar OF cannon aud the ciang
of music.
At the various depots, many persons had
collected to pay due respect to- the late Chief
Magistrate OF the State; but at the town OF
Clinton, the reception was enthusiastic beyond
description.
His arrival at Jackson, on Tuesday evening"
was announced by the firing Of cannon, which
mingled its tones with the greetings OF the ,Peo.
pie. A very large concourse had gathered at
the depot and as, the cars came up, three times
three "chbers for Quitman " rent the air. Here
many hearty shake of the hand bespoke love
and admiration for the veteran soldier, who,
three morths ago, was forced to lay aside the
robes of Office with which grateful people
had invested him, and in the custody Of the
United States Marshal, to appear before dis
ant tribunal to answer groundless charge.
A procession was formed which escorted hun
to his lodgings, and was dismissed after again
giving three "cheers for Gen. Quitman," and
s.three cheers for the Hon. w. Melville" !" who
had joined the procession. +
On Wednesday, all arrangements having been
made, a vast procession conducted him to the
scene of festivityto which he was invited, and
there the reception speech was made to him,
breathing the warn, attachment of n brave peo-
pie, and to which he responded in most sat
isfactory manner, if we may judge from the
brief epitomc Of the Mississippian:
For nearly two hours, the, old hero and
statesman riveted the attention Of his vast audi.
tory. 1t was due to himself aud to the multi
tude who surrounded him, that he should de.
vote portion OF bis remarks to the proceedings
which had been the remote occasion Of this i'm
posing demonstration. Alter expressing in af.
fecting terms the deep sense OF gratitude that
sweIled his bosom for the continued confidence
and appreciation which had been so signally
manifested by his lellow.citizens, lie alluded to
the prosecution against him by the Govern
ment, and again declared that he had no par.
ticipation whatever in the Cuban expedition
that he peremptorily refused to participate in
it, Notwithstanding the repeated and urgent so.
licitations that were made to him. He said
there was not scintia -ot evidence against
him, and those who pursued him with such bit
terness well knew it. The chief motive that
influenced them was the humbling Of a sover-
eign State before the majesty OF the central
government, by forcing its chief executive OH
Ger to the alternative OF resigning, or permitting
its dignity to be lowered in his person. The
slander in connection with the State arms was
also denounced in becoming terms. He next
adverted to his own position oa the all-absor-
bng topics Of the day, aud corrected the false
and unwarrantable constructions which had
been placed upon his published documents by
the o-called "Union" leaders. He discussed
bic length Suffice it to say, that it was replete
with facts and arguments; and when he closed,
all felt that they had listened to the counsels
OF true hearted patriot; and exulted in the
fact, that not stain rests upon single feather
in the plume that waves over his brow"
After the dinner, Hon. w. Melville was
called out, .
ale is n man to whom the popular heart
beats; and he was greeted, as he well deserv.
ed, with boistcrous applause. He rendered a
satisfactory account OF hisstewardship; and the
response well done unexpectedly given. Heal
SO dwelt atconsiderable length upon the wrongs
of the South, and her duty at this trying period
of her history, when her institutions are threat
ened with overthrow, and when the central gov
ernment, controlled as it is by antislavery spir-
it, reaches forth its iron arm to reduce the
Southern States to mere dependencies. His
speech was listened to with marked attention,
and produced most happy effect. Notwith-
standing the lateness of the hour when Col.
Melville concluded his remarks, loud calls
were made for Gen. G. W. l.. Smith, Hon.
George Poiudexter, Attorney General Glenn,
and E. C. Hooker, all who made speeches, all
uttcring the sentiments Of determined resistance
to tyranny and lanaticism, and answering de-
votion to the rights Of the South"
The Mssssippian says the " occasion was
ono long to be remembered by the friends of