Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-09-19
From the South Car0linian.
TO Col. John =. Preston.
No q

SrR--Havng offered some comments upon
the tone and spi.i, of your last correspondence
on the great political topic which now SO in
tensely engages the public MUD, with por-
tiom of the people of Richand district, in which
endcavored TO point out, with cOurtescy. some
objections, both of temper and doctrine, to
which it is exposed, Il now resume the subject
with view of demonstrating the absolute nc.
cesSitv. rs Il duty Incumbent nn them, of taking
the step they did. lou did them no more than
jistire when ynn "assurtd ynnrsell that no nll.
defined purpose pertained TO their conImnnica.
tion" of the 18th instant; although the hypo.
rhclical inquiry which almost Immediately fol-
lowed. in reference 10 the "b;lsis nt the struggle
for the election of Il deputy to Il Southern Con-
grese,' might seem I" inn ly suspicion of
; their sincerity aud the induI yence OF some un,
covered design. Taking it for granted, how
ever, that the tribute to their caldor, which
vcur language conveyed was really intended
rs expressed, the task Of unfolding frankl ) and
fea,esslv the true grounds of their movement
rcnaius for more conn .lete execution.
They asserted with TRUTH that you had been
nominated in the public print. AS Il deputy to
the Sonthern Congress, and that, "confiding in
the soundness Of your principles, they had been
desirous OF casting their sutfrages in your ia.
vor" By this they "l,.nusly ly intended To an
nounce to you tlieir belief of a concurrence of
opinion between you and themselves alike con-
ce,ning tie euoiunity a"d proximity OF the dan.
gers to which their State was exposed, and the
mode and measure of permanent and efiectnal
rxtriration. In the face "f the imlsputable
and disastrous delinquency Of Virginia, (oHce
ylorinus, but We tear now forever iallen,) to
which YOU are hound by the ties "f nativity aud
"i Interest in that belief, they found cause OF
real aud solid s:lti .iactinr. Were tiny justified
! ia il! TO snswer this Interrogation tue record
must be consulted. ..
| ln your speech, as reported tc the public in
your letter of the l4,h inst. to the committee
which ad addressed you Oh behalf of some "t
YOUR fellow citizens OF kictl.nd, delivered du-
ii,lr the last session Of the Legislature, Il sup.
,ns.. on the proposition for the call OF the con.
ve,,tin,,, and the policy of incorporating will,
that measure provision Tor the Southern Con.
gress,) referred I" for the purpose "t showing
that they had no ground To be either SURPRISED
"r panied" by the Positions Of your Barn"ell
; Letter, it may bc remarked that lew, i, amy ot
then heard that sIceci, and us It had never
| teen, published, of c"urs: had not read it. But
sir, take it us YOU hIv" presented it, Without the
commentary of v.ur rrrcut letters, II, Is res.
t.rt:,,y submitted that there is vrIr little IN il
either oi rhetoric ~ logic. ii any AT all, I" which
! they would object. II is rcc"n'nic"drd Tor the
iuice and finish of ii, rl"qucncc, and, in the
nnai.l,' is SQUAD in lis incl'i;ie.
| ! un declare the 'qurs,oh with US to be q
narrow one Tie preservation "t thc Union
m tue prcsei vatiou oi lie IstitutiIn OF slavery
! - t..at tic existence ui both ~as III ic"inpat.-
l.ilily"-t!,a ti, Union must perish or the rle
tnr,ts of slavery l.. cA,ngus!.ed - that your
mind WIS made up"- t,at You gave your
yucr / that separation which yna believed
alone rnud give Us satrty"-t:'at ''ynu had
couutcd the COST ever! lteui ot Il, ana tnat tor
your Site you were ready I" stand tie haz :rd;
tnuugh it might be dangerous, difficult aad li"''
.ihlr;" What nau nt tue Stale acilou party,
evem the most eager Tor action, could carp At
this ur any "l il. Such sentiments emnhudied
in such language, aud accompanied with the
graccs OF lie effective at which y"u have rul.
livated and mastered, at the moment Of their
delivery, must have fallen, rs they certainly
did tall, upon the heart OF Carolina like tis!Ies
OF fire, transporting her with the kndling and all
conquering power of el"queuce and TRUTH.
| And in the further examination of the speech
in question, they have been unable to iiud any
uLiniuns anunuuced or recommendations sub.
nittcd tending in any apprecabledegree t" sub
due ihe enthusiasm which the te.vOur OF yonr
or.tnry aud the 'Ig"r ol your argument, dcvo
ted To cause equally just and glorious, AVA
kcncd in th.t b,,uir,s. Whetarr YOU counsel.
! led against raslncss and L., favor of In" prac
,ice ol true courage, wisdom, and deliberations:
whether YOU iilcuIcaied the duty OF avoiding
unnecessary difficulty aud danger in taking the
last great step oi deliverancc and safety that
success may be nSuled." or. the moral as well
as uoIitical necessity ni "rx'InusIlhS all honor
able means To secure the ca operation o' those
States equally interested III the s1lc'nn art,
you never failed to like Il responsive chord IA
! tn, hearts of y"ur ueisi.bors and frllow.cii
zens of RicEland lately in correspondence with
YOU. nor 10 secure the entire synrathies ot all
true lovers of the acknowledged Interest and
honor of South Carona.
II vou- argument on the occasion il mind
had any prut or force, (and it unquestonaby
had buth.) it was TO bc seen amt felt IN the
ability and address with which You urged the
ethcrucy. cxIrdienry, and Necessity OF
S,utheru Conmr,ss us Il measure that would
tend powerfully. if not 'rIumplantly' towards
the seeming the Simultaneous action OF tn"
South in etrrtng disruption OF the UnIon,
and tine formation ut Il Southern Contederarv
~ her only ulaIliIle and ihvulIerablt barrier