Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-08-03
From the Southern Press.
RECOGNITION of Hayti.

t ~ IueillOrlal was presented the Otncr Gay TO
the Senate by the Hon. John Davis, of Massachu-
setts, which will be found in another column,
from about fifty merchants of Boston, praying
the reorganization of Hayti. We predicted soon
after the Compromise measure passed, that this
would be one of the next steps of the North. 1t
is now about fifty years since the actual ndepen-
dence of Hayti, and about twenty since it was
recognized by France, the previous ruler. With
in that period it has for the greater part of the
time been republic nominalIy. But it has been
governed by such men as Toussaint, Peton and
Boyer who had considerable claims to public res
pect. In all that period, however, it has never
been recognized by us. But now when it has
become an ayowed despotism by the unsurpa-
ton of Solouque, it is thought to be an appro-
pirate time for us to acknowledge its indcpcu-
dence, and establish diplomatic relations with it.
This presents the question whether Hayti is en-
titled to the rank of an equal and independent
nation among the civilized States of the world.
1t never has been the principle or practice of
the civilized nations of Christendom, to recognize
the equality Or independence of inferior or barba-
rous races. England has not so treated the ma
tions Of Asia, although the East Indian people
and governments are far higher in the scale of
civilization, than the Hytiens. There are no
English ministers at the East Indian courts
Russia has not so regarded the Tartar tribes of
Western and Northern ASIA American has not
so considered any Of the Aboriginal races on this
continent. Spain never admitted the national
equality even of the partially civilized States of
Mexico and Peru, on their discovery. And
when France held nearly all Of North America
comprised in the valleys Of the St. Laurence and
Missississipp, she never pretended to recognize
any rights OF sovereignty among the Aborigines
Turkey and China have been treated otherwise
but they have been among the most powerful
States Of the world, and have attained consid-
cradle degree of civilization. No community of
the Negro race, has ever been recognized as a
sovereign State, by any enlightened nation, be-
fore Hayti and Liberia.
The custom of recognizing States, and of keep
ing ministers resident at their courts, is of moe
ern origin. 1t was adopted to promote interna-
tional friendship and peace, and to protect the
commerce property and persons of their people
But the usage has been almost in
ce5 rom tbs association. The proposition now
made is to change that usage and policy.
Nations have hitherto by common consent, or
a sense of obvious proprety, thus recognized the
moral distinctions Of races and communities: and
have asserted not only an exclusive social sys-
tenn, but a right to rule, in the superior over the
inferior. 1t is true the distinctions between them
are not always clear or easily dclincd--but nei
ther are those between vice and virtue, between
responsibility and disgrace. But the universal
equality of men is now contcnded for: and if
that be right, the equality of all nations follows
of course. The proposition to recognize Hayti
proceeds on the doctrine of the solidarity of hui
man rights.
Ii we begin with this new system we shall
have much to do. We ought at once to recog-
nizc the independence of every Indian tribe, not
only without but within our limits. We ought
to rcnounce the claim we have hitherto asserted
of being the exclusive purchaser of their lands,
they ought to be at liberty to sell to any body
In the several acquisitions of territory we have
made, we have been guilty of assuming control
over a hundred tribes without their consent, and
of prohibiting them from selling these lands to
any body but u.s. which means that we take it
at our own price All this is in violation ofthe
new principles of the universal equality Of men
and OF races. Why have not the Abolitionists
turned their attention to this outrage? Why
have they confined their love to the Negro race!
Even John Quincy Adams himself argued that
the Indians had no good title to this county
against the whites, because the Indians were not
civilized-beca,lse they hunted for a living, and
did not plant or spin.
If we are to admit all the various nations,
tribes, and races to national equality with lis,
and receive their ministers and ambassadors, we
shall have a great increase of our population at
Washington, and q great change in its fashions
and customs. For the minister of every people
will have the entrce fsociety here. Foreign min
isters were expected to attend the Presidents
evces, where all the society Of the city, resident
and viSitant, appears. Foreign negroes and at
taches are invited of course to the parties Of all
the cabinet officers and also, to all the public
assemblies. Now, if IIayti is recognized, and
Liberia, (or Liberia is better entitled than Hayti,
then we are to see the wives and daughters OF
Secretaries, Senators, and Representatives, con-
versing, and dancing, and waltzing and polking
with negroes Will Southern gentlemen and Ia
dies unite in such parties9 If not, there will be
a sectional disunion Of society here at the seat
of the Federal Government. The South will bc
excluded. The Abolitionists, the federal tunc-
tionarics, and the whole diplomatic corps, will
constitute the mixed and motley crowds that fill
the east room ot the White House, and the
fashionable saloons and boudoirs Of the mctropo
lis.