The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1851-01-14
THE CONVENTION.

The Bill which anhorises a call oi the peo-
pie of South Carolina, was demanded by the
state of things surrounding us. 1t has been Of
ten charged that the people Of this state were
Indifferent as to the movements OF the Free
Foers, and that all that has been said and
written on the subject, has been but the buster
of politicians who did not represent the sent'.
ment of the masses. Had the Legislature acted
definitely on the subject of the great differences
now existing between this, and the Abolition
States. there would have been some Pretext Tor
the continuance of this charge. Astt is, the
Legislature has called OIL the people III their
highest sovereign character, to consider OF the
grave subjects involved in this controversy, and
to determine on the question of acquiescence or
resistance. 1t is proper they should do so.-
This is most important time in our history
The body polite is agitated by difficulty, not
less momentous than that of the first Revolu.
ton. The progress Of that, was from state
ofvery bad things, to one OF union and freedom
The advance Of the United States, for the last
twenty years, has been from good to evil. Hard
ly had we strengthened ourselves against for
eign encroachments, than there began to grow
up In the very heart of the nation, a disease
which is now threatening its very existence.-
This disease was in its inceptve consolidation
its results have been the decay of the men,
bers. A ceutral power has gradually been ere.
ated, which has swallowed up every energy of
the extremities. High tariffs, internal improve
ments, unauthorized appropriations, offices,
have been the food which has ministered to it.
When this power had exhausted every other
right of the States, it at last attacked their local
institutions. This is now the subject ot coli
test =. If they fall victims to the corruptng in.
Haences which have sweptof every other guard
sfyainst the encroachnents of the General TO-
vernment, the power of this last over the States
will be supreme. Indeed, except in tradition
ary history, the States will not exist at ALL
Their once jealously watched right, will be like
the rights Of Hungary, under the guardianship
of Austria-.the right of being recognized, and
treated as slaves Beginning in show OF pro.
teetior, they will end in the realization OF ty-
ranuies. just as degrading as those to which the
Magyarss have been subjected. The Insolent
tone which has been used towards the States,
threatening them with military coercion, shows
the construction which the supporters OF the
Federal power is disposed to place on its au-
thcrjty. The Submissive tone of some of the
States Immediately interested in this vital ques
ton, shows the potency of the bribes OF the
General Government. The ease with which
politicians change from, position favorable to
the South to one against her. The facility
with which every national Office holder satisfies
his conscience, that he is most virtuous, as he
is most faithful to the master, who subsidies
him; all exhibit the gross tendencies of the pa
trenage of an administration to corrupt, Zen
the purest sources of truth, and 10 debase the
best principles, of human nature. When we
look to facts, plainly forming part OF the histo-
ry Of the country; to the base manner IN which
California, with an anti-slayery constitution,
has been brought into the Union; at the sacrl-
fee ofthe least doubtful authority OF the Con.
stituion; to the readiness with which the peo-
pie of Texas have yielded to division of her
territory; to the i@pndence with which the Ben.
tons. the Seward. the Hales, the Chases, boast
their shameful d0ctrines-we confess we begin
to think that the prophecy that Republics can
not maintain their freedom, will find no excep-
ton in our case. While public men are retain
ed in Office, amidst corruptions such as have
disgraced the men we have named it is alto
gether futile to expect that the people them
eslyes will be free from the vices to which are
subjected the higher lights of society. As for
tie people of this State, the action OF the Con.
veption will show, that they are beyond the in
huenees which in many other States, are sap
ping the foundations Of public virtue, and bring
ing into disgrace the history of their glorious
fathers. The people of this State have never
stood high enough in the affection of the great
powers; their public men have been too incor.
ruptible to subject them to the temptations which |
have ,nisled others, nearer the throne and more
directly interested in its crimes. Holding them
selves to be the guardians Of the sacred trust of
liberty, assorganized by the Fathers Of the Rev.