Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-04-30

present then proceeded to enrol their names, and
q committee was appointed to verify the creden-
tials of the members present. MIR. Bcinger,
from said committee, reported that there were
delegates from all the districts present. except st.
Georges Dorchester, and that one hundred and
forty-seven members had enrolled their names.
On motion of Mr.. E. Bellinger, jr., the Conven-
ton proceeded to ballot for President, and the
votes being counted, his Excellency Gov J. II.
Means was found to have received 1876 votes,
scattering 7. ........
On motion of Mr.. J. Bond Ion, a committee
Of three, consisting of Mcssrs. John Cantey, w.
F. DeSaussure, and w. A. Owens, was appoint
ed to escort the President elect to his seat. The
committee returned with the President and the
Convention received him standing. The Presi-
dent, on taking his seat, addressed the Conyen-
ton as follows:
Gentlemen Of the Convention.
Although am fully aware that am ndcbt-
ell more to my official station than to any mciit
Of my own for the distinguished honor YOU have
conferred upon me, yet must be permitted to
express my profound gratitude to You for having
honored that station in my person. Unaccusto
med as am to parliamentary usages, l should
be disposed to shrink from the position YOU have
assigned me, but that feel assured that will
be sustained and assisted in the discharge Of its
duties by the same kindness which has prompt
ed YOU to bestow it upon me. While am fully
alive to its responsible ties, trust feelstill deep
er the solemn responsibility which rests upon
me as a member of this Convention. We have
met together clothed in the sovereign power of
the land. Tie voice Of this Convention, when
it speaks, must be potential for good or for evil.
How much prudence, how much caution and de-
liberation does it become lis to use before we act!
1t is useless for me to enter into detail of the
peculiar circumstances under which we have met;
a mere alusion to them is sufficient to bring to
Your minds the fact that they are full of embar-
rassment. We certainly have most delicate
part to act one which we cannot perform with
credit to ourselves, or with honor to the State,
unless we are buoyed by a devoted patriotism
above, the petty considerations of party strife,
Of personal ambition, or which is even worse and
more to be deprecated, nindictive feelings to
each other because We differ in opinion. The
external circumstances by which We are sur
rounded farfully admonSh us that we have no
strength to waste in internal fcudS The very
dangers of our position call loudly upon us to
be united But, Unfortunately for US, and the
We have been divided and distracted by the
convulsive throcs of party strife. The great
question of our wrongs has been forgotten amid
our wrangiings as to the remedy. While this
state of things exists amongst U.S. the tiendlsh
fanaticism of al abolition spirit, which tramples
all law, both human and divine, under foot, /;
steadily moving forward towards the accomplish
ment of its ends. If we intend not basely to
desert the cause in which we have so long enga-
ged and finally submit TO our degradation and !
ruin, this tide Of fanaticism must be sooner or
later met As dark as are the dangers which !
surround us, still more gloomy are those which ,
threaten us from our internal commotions. II
we are united, we need fear no danger. The
Justice of our cause and our strong arms will be
sufficient to protect US. But il, in the madness
of party strife, we fall upon each other and for
get the common enemy, an easy victory will be
accomplished by them a victory which will bring
ruin and disgrace upon us. The very first OBJ
ject of this Convention should he to heal these |
divisions. | will. not presume to suggest the |
course which will involve no sacrifice OF princi- |
pie; one, the object of which will be to promote
the best interests of our State. We meet to-
gether as members of one common family, whose
interest honor and destiny are the same. A
deep devotion to our country and its institutions
should be the polar star to guide us in our course.
The arm of our State. which was recently strong
and ready to strike, has been paralyzed alone by
our dissensions Let us heal them at once, that |
with firm and united strength VIC may meet the
enemies of our institutions. Upon the union Of
our State Isolemnly believe, depends our dssti-
ny. %
Mr.. DeSaussure submitted that upon an occa-
sion which so deeply concerned the honor and
interests of the State, it was fit that the pro-
ceedings of the Convention should be opened
by an humble supplication to the throne Of Di-
vine Grace to enlighten our counSels and direct
our course. Wherefore, he moved that the Rev.
Mr.. Colt, member and delegate from Chester
field, be requested OH behalf of this Convention
to address the throne of Divine Grace.
Mr.. Colt having oficiated motion Of Mr.
f. Bellnger jr., it was ordered that the Conven-
tion on each day be opened by prayer. On mo-
ton of the same gentleman, the Convention pro-
ceeded to ballot for Clerk, Messenger and Door
keeper. J. A. Strobhart esq. was elected Clerk,
B. |. Hayes Messenger, and B. O'Neill Door
keeper.
On motion of Mr.. Burt, committee of five,
consisting of Messrs. Burt, Nance H. c. Young,
Buchanan and Harlce was appointed to contract
for the printing of the Convention. Several or