The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-12-06

herewith lay before you the report Of the
AGutant aid Inspector General upon the duties
OF his department, and the condition of the mi
litia of this State.
During the past spring and summer, l re-
viewed two divisions Of the militia, and was
! grati6ed at their exhibition of zeal in the per-
formance Of duty, and the precision with which
their evoutionS were executed. know OF no
adequate substitute for the present system. I'm
der it the State has acquired reputation equal
led by that Of no other for tire excellence OF her
military discipline. Whenever any portion OF
her citizen soldierv have been called into active
service, the arts which they have acquired at
home have enabled them 10 win high reputa.
tion. The same necessity continues for an ac-
tive organization as has always existed.
invite your attention to the accompanying
communication from the Honorable Secretary of
State of the United States covering copy Of
the consular Convention between his Majesty the
Emperor of the French Government and the
Government of the United States; aud by the
direction of the President of the United States
he requests me to call your attention to the 7th
article Of that instrument, and recommends, 1t
in pursuance of the existing laws French subjects
are not allowed to hold real estate in South Car
olina, that sucl, right be conferred upon them.
3 | have received a communication from his
Exceleucy, j. H. Clifford, Governor Of Massa-
chusetts, conveying Of a report and resolutions,
Z adopted unanimously by the Legislature of that
commonwealth, in response to resolutions adop-
5 ted by you at your last session. upon the sui
ssiects of the deaths of Henry Clay and Daniel
Webster. In compliance with his request,
herewith lay them before you.
S Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives, haze laid before you, in as brief
manner as possible, such Suggestions as seemed
s to me proper for your consideration. l have
omitted any discussion Of federal affairs, since 1t
is well known of your views upon these subjects
that adherence to the cardinal principles OF
State Rehts-to strict construction Of the Con-
stitution-to tariff purely for rcvenue,-to an
economical application of the finances Of the
government, and above all to a stern and i'm
partial administration Of the laws, and enforce.
ment of all its constitutional obligations, you
give your support to the present distinguished
head Of the nBtion as fair exponent of such
principles disregarding all local disputes, Oh con-
tentions for the eHaoluments and spos Of office
With regard to our internal affairs, | would
remark iu-g.neral terms, that it is wise to guard
against excess Of legislation. Those laws are
best which are permanent and easily understood
Innovation often carries with it moro injury than
benefit; and repeated changes tend to produce
certain demoralization as to the force and Oh
legation of law. Notifications of it are frequent
ly necessary to supply the new wants of grow
ing country, but those should rather be specified
than general so as not to threaten, still less to
involve the destruction of a system which for
generations of men has worked happily and be-
nefcently. 1t is better to preserve that tone of
moderation which avoids the extreme of blind
conservatism on the one side, and the restless
desire for change on the other.
Permit me, gentlemen, to invoke for your de-
hberations the aid of that Divine Power which
is at once the beginning and end of human
wisdom. JOHN L. MANNING.
November %. 1853,