Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-07-29

tHiUhJ VIII DS Tue vi diiiioSL SNS'J
one who views the whole subject calmly. What
they may be at any time before the Convention
shall finally adjourn, no man can tell. Should
they be such us indicated above, (which, i'll
candor, do not expect,) then it seems clear to
my mind, that the Convention ought to resume
i'll the powers by this State conferred on the
Federal Government, AMI pass an ordinance OF
secession; but not otherwise, unless we can pro-
cure til" concurrent action of other Southern
States.
1t is most true that this State, in common
with others of tie South, has suffered injustice
aud injury from the action Of the Federal Gov
ernn,ent, and from the nollsiaveholdng States.
1t is equally true, that this State. like other
States, is exposed to the danger OF having her
sovereignty absorbed, and oi being left Il naked
victim to the domination aud avarlce Of Nigh.
ty consolidated despolism. These are fearful
dangers, and we are bound, by every consider.
:.tioil, guard eHectionately against them. How
can this be done? An important inquiry, III the
solution of which feel perfectly satisfied that
our honor still leaves US at free liberty to adopt
any policy which may bring success, with the
least possible cvil-while our safety requires
that we shall not, by any foregone conclusion,
dchar ourselves from the advantage OF. all the
probabilities that time and natural causes may
icvelope in our favor. These causes, | think,
must be apparent to all who have observed the
character aud operation of the Federal Govern
nent, and who may justly believe i'll t.; G spirit
and intelligence, and know the interests of the
Southern people.
7 ,t,t,l nonfiuranar ,yhip,
should fell myself impelled, from the sense of
duty, to advocate the secession of this State,
regardless of the concurrent action of other
States have stated also, that, in my opinion
aud feeling, such conigency is not now upon
u.s. But there are other contingencies, which,
happening, will place me under the like imPul-
sion. If we can procure concurrent acts OF
secession by other States, before the final adj
ournment of the conventions; or, even, If it shall
become manifest that the prior act of secession
by this State, will prodnce similar acts on the
part of other States, within such time as the
exigency OF our position will require them.
think it will become onr best policy to break
the bands ofthe present Uaon, for the purpose,
and with the expectation of forming South
ern Confederaey.
TO show this TO be our policy, let any man
pnt aside, for an instant, the ancient reverence
and time strengthened superstition that he may
bear to the Union, and regard itby the light OF
truth and reason--compare the ends it is ac-
compIishing with the purposes Of its institution
mark also the usurpations, unfair dis
examinations and hostile temper of the Federal
Government to our deepest, interests, with its
manifest tendencies under the control nf grow
lug majority, regardless Of Constitution or law.
When he shall have done this in the spirit of
cool inquiry, | think he will not fail to con-
clude, with me, that it is our wisest policy. to
seek new safeguards for Our future safety and
happiness. Bn, how? Not, surely, by erecting
South. Carolina into distinct aud separate na.
don There is an abiding conviction with me,
not unsustained by probable reasons, that
government SO created would be, not only ill.,
adequate to our wants and purposes, but most
likely, destructive of both. Such, also, seems
to be the conviction of nearly all amongst US.
All persons. oi every party, if parties there be,
who are resolved not to acquesce ii the hostile
domination of the Government, nor III the OIL
fensive and injurious conduct of our Iree.soil
coniederates, disclan any such result as Ell
ther their purposeor desire. think therefore,
we may take it for granted, that all entertain
a wcllfounded apprehension that the establish
ment OF this State into distinct aud separate
nation, with view to its continuance as such,
would, in reasonable probability, defeat the at
tanment OF those Object which are essential to
our happiness and safety as 4 people. lfths
be not SO, then there would seem to be no good
reason why we should strive for the concur.
rent action of other States, as all profess to be
doing, Or why this State should not, at once,
assume a separate aud independent station IL.
mong the nations of the earth, II this be true,
why, when not urged by the necessities of our
condition, should we, by premature action, en-
counter the hazard OF those difficulties of which
there seems to be so general an apprehension!
But it is urged, that, it this State will secede,
though without the concurrent action of other
States, there will exist no doubt Of their fol.
loving her example. This may be true--per.
haps not improbable--for, rs far as human
foresight can reach, it seems almost certain
that the whole Union will be thrown into at.
oms. There exist now, ilEits very core, the ell.
ements Of discord and combustion. Sooner
or later, it must be rent by these explosive ele-
ments. But is this what we need or desire2
Do we need confusion, or desire the endless
petty wars of small aud adverse powers? No,
we know that Scylla and Charybdls are both
ahead, and We must try to steer our little ship,
with honor and safety, between them. We
want, not only II new Government, but Gov.