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

pressure vi enslaFillS laWS anu lIiStltullous y
Could the fettered mind have extended its in
vestigatons to such vast and far-reaching re.
suits! Could the lightning. winged telegraph
have sped its noiseless and trackless way
through the thick gloom Of despotc age?-
Could thought have been free to investigate,
the mind elated to soar, the limbs unshackled
to roam or to toll, commerce have penetrated
its remote recesses, and man himself nerved to
deeds of emprise and of daring, in the hoary age
of a feudal imbecility, or under the ponderous
trappings of an absolute government! No, it
was reserved to our age 10 achieve en, to our
revolution to inspire and awaken them, and to
the genius and the virtue of our ancestors to
conceive and to kindle the lamp of this world
regenerating intelligence.
The cost and sacrfceS Of great and heroic
actions are, however, but too apt to be over.
looked in the contemplation of their magnii.
cent results. Dazzled by their splendor, AMI.
mated by their glory, men forget the difficult
ties, the endurance, the contumely, and the pr.
vat:ons, through which they are accomplished,
and feel as if they could aspire to emulate the
heroes OF their own admiration. Impediments
to success, doubtless, constitute the highest
merit in attaining it. The fortitude that resists
danger, the frmness that withstands tempta.
ton, the soul subduing patience that wears a
way opposition, the self sacrificing martyrdom
to principle, s:e the elements by which alone
the character of all great achievements is truly
to be estimated.
In this aspect of our revolution, it looms
through all time as the noblest triumph of hu-
man daring and virtue. Debcrating through
martyrdom, conqucrug throug gh defeat, encour-
aged by privations, embroidered By suffering,
and victorious by endurance-.bstory furnish
es no such example Of moral sublimity, as that
of the gallant patriots by whom it was achiev.
ed. The arm Of Biutus was neryed by the Sc.
cret treason of an appiauding Senate. The
followers Of Hampden and Sydney were sus.
tained by an invading army and an invincible
leader. Napoleon conquered for glory and
fought for ambition; but our ancestors tor na-
tional peace and personal obscurity. The rev.
olution Of France was but popular tumuit,
the outpourings of all enragcd and frantic peo
pie, confident of their strength, engorged with
blood, and her counsellors at once the tools,
the victims. and the instruments of a national
phrenzy. There was neither terror nor suffer-
ing to deter them; naught to conquer but them
selves, naught to overcome or restrain but their
own madness. But to the great minds who con-
ceved the independence of our country--how
striking--how overwhelming the contrast. 1t
was not, in its ncpcncy, the great mass Of the
popular mind moving onward, and resolntely
impclled to achieve it. 1t was not the heaving
commotions Of mob--thc sudden anu cleo.
IT, LII. 1,,,
plauding echoes Of a popular sentiment; but
the patriotic inspiration Of a few great minds
contending with the time.rooted loyalty Of the
ase-the long and fondly. cherished allegiance
Of the colonies--the terrors of mighty throne
the liberal tavors of patriarchal govern.
ment-the ignominy of a traitors death--di-
visions within, and a nations and monarch's
vengeance without.
In the estimate Of the difficulties and Of the
merit of the sacrifice. these things perhaps are
too often forgotten. 1t would e we'll for US,
in view Of the duties and Obligations which op-
preston has devolved upon those too Of our
day and generation, to recall them, both for ex
ample aud instruction.
When the insubordinate spirit of Boston had
provoked the ire of the British Government, its
first measure Of retaliation was to abolish its
privileges as sport entry" Public clamor
cried aloud against the men and tile counsels
that had brought this exclusion upon them; and
Hancock aud Adams had to endure the execra-
ton Of all enraged commercial community,
stimulated by an avidity tor gain, and for Il
time overshadowng them with the indignation
of dismayed and terrified constituency. Had
they taken counsel of fear or interest, where
now would have been that dea. ly-cherished
commerce, that metropolitan prosperity, those
high attanments i'll letters and the arts, which
have long since made Boston the Athcns Of the
Western hemisphere. When, for the purpose
OF corciliation, general pardon and amnesty
was proclaimed to all who had been engaged
in the late popular tumuts of the day, Hancock
and Adams were especially excepted, and de.
clared to be reserved as examples of royal VEN
geance aud retribution. Popular confidence
for a time torsook them, like timid birds frayed
away by the storm; and when elected to the
Congress which passed the Declaration of ln-
dependence, they could find but two hundred
of tueir tellow.citizens bold enough to vote for
them rs their representatives. Their after lives
are the strongest commentary could offer Yen
on the fac. The one became the distinguish.
Cd President OF the first Congress, the other
sc friend ~ the successor of Washington.
80 hopeless seemed tine enterprise, SO powerful
the opposition, SO perous and deterring tie
prospect, that when Charles Carroll, one OF the
wealthest men OF America. approached to slgn
the Declaration of independence, all exclaimed,
i'm inter a,llZpmrut " there goes q million"