Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-04-06
The Next Presidency.

Southern Rights men who are hesitating about
uniting with the two great National parties in
the approaching struggle for the Presidency
The article was written in reply to letterto the
editors, asking their opinion as to the proprety
of the South taking part in the approaching con-
ventions, and we think points out the true posi-
ton for Southern Rights men to occupy:
As matters now stand, and after Congress has
been in session nearly four months, we see moth
ing safe or satisfactory in the plan OF going into
either the Wing or Democratic conventions of
June next.
Both of these conventions will contain lec-
ded majority from the North, and that majority
will consist of those who are in favor Of the Com
promise, and those in favor of something still
worse for the South. 1t is true that both will
desire to obtain Southern votes, but the struggle
between the two parties at the North will pre-
vent them from recognizing any Southern right
that would interfere with success at the North,
the ruling section. 1t is in vain any longer to
EXPECT that Northen men will sacrifice or jcopar
Slize their position at home for the chances Of
Southern support The South has manifested
so much indecision and infdelity to herself, and
has thus caused the political destruction Of so
many of her Northern friends, that few or none
are left in pewer or influence sufficient to make
stand for her rights. 1t therefore now devolves
upon the South to take position herself, and to
sustain it with sufficient unity and hrlnncss to
restore her character and cause IN the NORTH
From all we can learn, it will be the policy Of
the North in the approaching convention, TO give
the South few generalities and ambgttics, and
the prospect of some subordinate Offices to Sc
cure her votes. Bat, as }atcly, when the Union
itself was in danger nothing more could be OBJ
tanned as indemnity for extensive ISOLATION, so
now when Presidential election only is involved,
and Northern vetes are indispensable, nothing
better can be expected
We hold, therefore, that the party of South
ern Rights will be much more powerful in sep
crate organization The North will be divided;
and the Southern party will thus hold the bal
ance of power. This will either compel one par
ty in the North to respect the Constitution, or
both to form a coalition. and bring the ccntro-
versy to final settlement. And the settlement
cannot come too soon, whatever it may be.
According to present indications Gen. Scott
will be the strongest man in the Wing and Gen.
Cass in the Democratic convention. In can
sass between these two the Southern Rights
party can take but little interest. We know
that many of our friends think that by going
into the conventions, respectively, they will I've
able.to exercise considerable influence. We think
it will be very inconsidcrd~ae. At least we
think the influence exercised IN such a case on
Southern men BY Northern, viii br quite as
great, as uice uerm Of one thing We are quite
positive, that if the Southern Rights party re-
mains outside both conventions, IT viii exercise
ten times as much power over both, asif within.
Now we lament very deeply, the feelings Of
bitterness which exist between the two parties
of the .South-the Southern Rights and the
Union party. And we cannot aequlescc IN the
imputations made against each other. If
the Union or Southern Rights party is not to be
trusted at period when the rights Of the South
are in danger more than convention, where a
majority arc Northern and large portion Free
soil, the cause of the South is lost. She IS III
curably corrupt, and the idea of saving herself
By flying to the arms Of Northern allies, IS the
very extremity Of infatuatlon.
If we look at the measures noH' before Con-
gress, and the support they receive, we cannot
but be struck at the confusion Of the two parties
If Southern Rights party were organized, 1t is
obvious that many or the most obnoxious OF
these measures could be defeated, by acting
against them with one or the other of those par
ties as circumstances might indicate. And
hence such a third party would exercise as much
positive power as either of the Others. Nay, We
have been assured by more than one of that few
Northern men in whom the South still conhdes,
that a separate Southern party is not only indis-
pensable to the safety Of the South, but to the
respectability of the federal government And
we must protest against the anxiety for re-
union with the Northern majoritieS, of some of
the Southern Rights party, that pronounced for
dissolving the Union itself but short time ago.
There are some people who think they would
catch cold, if they were out of large national
party, as many an old woman believed she would
die outright, the moment the Union was dissoiv-
ed. To all such delicate and nervous gentle
men, we commend the case of MessrS. Toombs
and Staphens. These gentlemen saved the Com
promise measures-and possibly the Union. For
it is our deliberate conviction that if they had
not taken the course they did in Georgia, that
State would have joined South Carolina, and
Mississippi and Alabama would have done so
likewise, and either the Compromise or the
Union would have been overthown. What is
the result Why, the political friends of these
gentlemen, the Wings listen to the counscb of