Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-07-18

to retire from the coniederacy, (leaving all
these, acquisitions which we had contributed
as much as any other, to obtain, to enule to the
benefit of the Union,) simply to pursue our
veal and happiness in the way in which we
suppose it may best be promoted-we are tod
that it cannot be. We are Informed that Sc
! cession is revoluton-we are assured the Union
must be preserved, even by blood--we are made
to feel that we ale too precious Il gem i'll the
federal tiara (not iof ornament, but for plum
dering pses) to be lightly parted with. Nay,
it is said that a prosperous independence would
enure to the injury of the contederacy, and
that the peaceabIc secession of i sovereign
State is as impractcable and as unreasonable
as voluntary separation Of a slave from his
master!
Il these things, fellow. citizens, be so, can
yon give a stronger definition OF despotIc
government, than secliona! majority to tax,
to plunder, and olurnss-and free sol conled-
eracy to enforce ti.cm. Most evils have some
mitigation, and it is seldom that a rule can be
established however stern or cxacting) that
! does not WORK some corresponding advantages.
! In submitting to endure the oppression Of the
government, we might al le;.s: reasonably hope
to enjoy its protection. But Willie ltseil ayGres.
sing, it tolerates, nay it protects, our eastern
conlederates, not onl y i'll their legal and legls-
! latve robbery o. our property, but, III ln'punI-
ty against our rrprisa.s. Yes; Let 4 Southern
Safe enact 4 law of retaliation against Yer
Ron! and Ohio, ahl we would readily expert.
encc how soon tie arm Of this government
woul,! be extended to aver! it.
We have alwoudc-ed, perhaps, how spirited
people in the 18th century, III tie midst OF arts,
science, and letters, could have endured the
tyranny Of an unadiudica;ed doom in the bas
tie, or the unanswelable despotis:n Of l 'ie'tre
dc cachci." Bat arc cur political relations to
this Union auciiorated, either iii feature or
complexion! IL WAS the frank and extorted
Acknowledgements of the celebrated Mr.. BURKE
III the British Parliament, that ne knew not
how to draw up 4 bill of indictment against L
State or whole peop!e'-t!iat "tterc were no
terms in law, with which he WIS acquainted,
for such process" But American ingenuity,
it seems, has discovered more summary mode
of enforcing, if not a more subtle manner to
evade the forms OF criminal jurisprudence.
The cannon's mouth it seems, is to expound the
const ution--the sword is to arraign--tte for
tress is 10 be the tr;bunal-aud u mcrcenary
soldiery the jury to render in the verdict, for
resistance to federal aygresslons
In this grave and truthful aspect Of oar
wrongs aud our humiliation, what are our du-
ties, oar Obligations, and oar resources: Shall
we sucrumb-inyl yluriuus crouch and sGccumb
without Eope aud without struggle! Shall
,L;,,ly tn a Nui tOr
uore be tenderi:!g it Il sop OF oar bluoN Why,
il will bu. grow OH tie things it feeds on"
Do We think to satisfy the mIser 5 ;ivaricc, or
the fanatics lust, by compromising rights aud
principles for forb.ara,cc Our history fur.
nsheS the Most conclusive reply. We Aave
borne the cxactions of tI;eir protective duties
on our income in all humility, and III Tie hope
of emo, ng nGr domestic Institutions in neace;
and now they a.rogant!y denanu that We shall
renticr up the very capital ltsr!t, b. the profits
Of which we have alone been enabled 70 pay
the Gulv
Happily Tor liz, the great event which has
given \ Worldwide interest aid renown to the
day which we have thus assembled to celebrate
is before us to initiate, rs well rs tn connrno.
rate. The past puin;; to the future: and t!le vc
ry emotions Of patriotism which We feel IN con
ternulating tie one herald the spirit aud the
energy with which we are prepared to parIci-
pate ir tic other. No man can eXult in tie
memories of IN eroc!, like this--no man can
indulge in the icrYer OF its al glorious recol
.cgtols--no man can iuIi!att III It's festivities
lilo man can b. proud nl his amtc>ttrs or OF
their t;umhs o'e: oppression without recur.
rir like Esau. with Shame and Indignation, to
his lost inheritance. Lost, did say! trust
not lost. but too long and too iorbcarilgy
neglected. and destined soon to be rc.aineL
under brighter and more permanent au,pices
Haulr then, repeat, the example Of our an
castors is before Us to initiate. They stopped
not to calculate lle cost OF liberty they ylr4.
died to no threats - they submitted to no coer-
cion- they were sc!uccd by no Establishments
they listened tono nprolnises-lhcy though:
not OF their wc;ku.ss-:hcy asked not ii tie
eaenry was strong I'I.a lighl uf representa-
,ion--laur not the prctcx: oi it)-iuii. ample,
and adequate representation, and nothing less,
would they have.
And now CclIow.citzens, could they burst
the cerrncnts OF the grave, and their vcncrated
dust be again re-anirlated in the same patriotic
e,obo,;nlrnt.. they now join il solemn
concavc H. deliberate vn the sad onIens which
oyershadow Sopltern rights and institutions,
what would be- tie' counsel. Behoidiny in
amazement, as they would, the Constitution
violated the South pirn.iered oi It's rights, de-
urlvrl of lis uIlarautIrS ard liSuCll,u of It's