The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-12-19

thore is n SPOT on the face of the sun, would
strike it down from the heavens This desire
for change, this restless spirit of innovation is
spreading over the country. In the Southern
portion of the Confedrracy it has mainly dcvel-
oped itself in frequent calls Of conventions to
alter and remodel constitutions under the delll-
sive idea that change in government would
remedy "the ills that flesh is heir to-" Our State
has not as yet been materially injured by ITS
influence Let us shut it out rs we would ''the
pe>tlence tina, walketh in darkness" aid "the
destruction that waslch at MONDAY" 1t is
the Moloch which, asking morsel at the out.
sci. will in the end demand the Constitution OF
the State, that it may devour it also 1t is Il
mistake to suppose, that to the extent You arm
man with unlrammcled power, you contribute
to his prosperity and happiness. The posses
sian of unchecked power by the many is as OBJ
iectionable and dangerous as its absorption in
| the hands of the few. Our ancestors were no
bunsers in the matter of organizing govern
ment. They drew their lessons Of liberty and
constitutional law lroma country OF checks and
balances. Their devotion to popular rights
will hardly be questioned, and it certainly was
subjected to a severcr practical test than that
of the luminati of the present day. They
thought the surest guarantee for popular rights
was to be found in such distribution and linn
itation of the powers Of government as would
dsarm the few Of the power to oppress and at
the same time curb the lcentiousncss OF the
many The absolute rule of the majority con-
stitued no part of their political creed, and time
has fully vndcatcd the faith that was in them.
They sought to secure for. themselves and their
posterity the blessing of well regulated liberty,
and our present system Of internal policy is a
monument of their wisdom and sagacity. 1t
protected them and it protects us-protccts us
in life, character and property. 1t has been
found equal to our past, and if honestly admin
istered will prove adequate to our future wants
as people. Under its stahle influence, we
have made sure and steady progress. None
Of our neighbors, however in advance of us in
the march Of progressive democracy, have ont
stripped us in the race Of true greatness and
solid prosperity. In proportion to our area, in
works Of Public Improvement, we have accom-
plished as much for the development Of our in
ternal resources as any one of our Southern Sis
ters, and this has been mainly done by the in.
dividual energy and enterprise ofthe people,
Public Justice is no where more honestly or
more ably administered and us an organized
community, we exhibit the noble spectacle ola
loving and law.abidng people. Our efforts
in the cause of popular education, if not com.
mensurate with our wants, evnce deep seated
conviction Of its vital Importance, and 1t Is TO
be hoped, that in the fulncss Of time they may
BE- crowned with their legitimate fruits.
Our living statesmen will not suffer by com.
parison with those of our neighhors, and if you
unroll the scroll of the past, no State has in
scribcd on it sterner patriots, ADLER statesmen
or more gifted orators. Weak in numbers and
small in territory, we have always exertcd
commanding influence in the national councils.
We owe it all TO our high intelligence and mo.
raj characteristics, and these have been pre-
served and kept alive by the conservative clio
ment at the foundation Of our institutions. |
appeal TO you then, by the glorious rccollec
tons of the past, and the encouraging hopes
of the future to stand TO your ancient land
marks. Begin not the work of pulling down
and patching up. The first step you take in
that direction NAV be fatal. The watch-word
will be reirrm-,hc shout will be change, un
til ycu haze pulel down over your heads the
best balanced system Of government that the
world has vet looked upon.
Upon the subject of our relations with tie
general government, have but little to say.
have no new opinions to announce and no spc-
cGc remedy 10 propose to meet the dangers
which are before us. The sigus of the times
are as cpcn to your vision as they are to mine.
We may interpret them differently, but to my
mind they indicate settled purpose on the
part of the Northern States to assa and de-
grade, or ruin the Southern States. How or
When the South shall meet to redress the perils
of her condition. will not venture to anti
cipate. Time will demonstrate whether our
institutions tend to lift US up as people.
promptly to protect our rights and perpetnate
our liberties, or whether they will sink US down
to the level of degraded and ruined provinces.
And now with frrvent prayer that Prove.
dence may guide your deliberations and bless
your cfnrts for the common good, | am ready
to take the oath prescribed by the constitution.
J. Ii. ADAMS.
A bill is before the North Carolina Lcgisla
turc to incorporate the Charlotte and Whining
ton Railroad Company, by which a connection
is to be formed between Wilmington and
| Charlotte. via Wadcsboro, Lumberton, Rock.
| ;,rh,r, e., Tho co pit.l of thn cnmD D,nv is 10