Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-10-01
The Right of Speech.

The liberty orthc press the right of speech and the
elective franchise, are among the certain and lnaena-
bic rights guaranteed to every freeman, provided al
ways that these rights arc not extended beyond c-
gtima,e length 1t is clearly therefore, the positive
right of every man whn is disposed, to give his opinion
any and every subject relating to the policy Of the
government under which he lives. He may do this,
and advise changes in old established customs,
without being liable to the charge of nuovating or
wishing to jeopardze tic dearest interests Of the State
in which nc lives. Having thus promised. we shall
proceed to state very briefly that it is in no sprlt OF
| innovation that urge change in the present mode
Of clcctng Electors of President and Vice President
1t is an absolute and indsputahlc right, which belongs
to the People and any thing short Of it is an infringe
mcnt upcE those certain and inacnab!e rights which
belong 20 Jrre and independent States We get our ar
gumcA from the ghcst authority known and acknowl-
edged in the nation. 1t is therefore not innovans
upon any legitimate right belonging to the people, that
we urge change but believing and knowing that this
right belongs properly TO them, clear for their
exercising in their proper persons. We are not Of
the few restless politicians of the State who are anx-
tous ito plunge into the widest and most dangerous
innovations" nor have been in the Least :" iOcd in
our efforts TO reach distinction through its ,c-itiinac
channels, and entertaining vague and ul3ciined
idea of personal aggrandizcment arc therefore willing
to peril the prospects, and copardzc the dearest inter
ests Of our State under the hope that amid the uro-
lence and excitement which will ensue may be
thrown upon height far above our present eeva-
ton" We say not of this class, and we wish it
so understood Upon the ground that one man is just
rs good as another long he conducts himself pro-
perly, and that in all free republican government that
one man is as much entitled to his opinion another,
and that every citizen has right to exercise his own
free will and do as secmch unto him good so long as
he does not trcspass upon tho rights of others. We
say upon broad republican, democratic principles. we
advocate the change OF the election Of Electors Of
President and Vice President and claim it as right
belonging to "Ue, the people
We yield to none in devotion to tie dearest rights
and interests Of native State. We belong as pro-
perly to the conservative press as those who oppose
the change and as long as we connected with the
press we shall never lend our aid for the purpose of
ducng the State 'from her cherished principles" We
believe that the calling in which engaged is an
honorable one, and that the duties expected and re-
CURED of the press more elevated than some are
accustomed to assign it We never car be made IN
instrument in the hands of party. With one who
has already glanced at the high position Of the press
We are prepared to say that Journalism in tie hands
of able and honourabe is the noblest of callngs;
in the hands of the ignorant and mcrccnary it is among
the mcancst,"