The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-01-10
Mr.. Taber's Address

ctorc the graduating class OF 1853, ucllVecu III inc
ollcgc Chapel on the 9th Of December last has been
published and we presume will eNecually silence the
nmitigated clamor which, in many instances, has
cen raised against its author. We do not object to
ersons differing with Mr. Tabcr in some Of his views
pom the subject o: popular cducation-for arc free
say, that while his speech is elegant production,
nd reflects ;he highest credit upon him as finished
choar there ars some points which to U.s. are not cx-
city orthodoy-yct we as free to say that Mr. has
cen misreprcscntcd prejudged and hastily condemn
Ia for opinions and sentiments which he utterly rcpu-
dates The matter is now before the public, and all
have it in their power to read and judge for themselves
The subject which Mr.. T. selected :or the occasion is
very appropriate, and the style in which it Is treated
cvnces the ability Of the speaker. We should have
been glad to have heard it delivered but business en-
gagcmcnts deprived us of that qualification. The
pleasure we have had in its perusal in some degree
however compensatcs us for being absent.
The Essentials Of Republic constitutes the text
We agree with the author that conservatism is the safe
guard Of the pcoplc-that without this principle, no
government be secure-t is the truc basis of Re-
publcansm We agree with him in his fundamcn-
tai views upon Education and take issue merely upon
the mode by which he would accomplish what we de-
sired TO see carried into cect-tho proper education
ofthe people, We agree with him entirely upon the
subject Of Slavery and appreciate all he says Of the
pcrncious tendencies of Northern Radicalism and all
other isns which tend to the subversion of the prnci
pies Of truth and justice
His closing address to his College classmates par,
tculary eloquent and touching.
What, them constitutes the head and front Of Mr..
Tabers Offending? Why, simply, that hc has pre-
Sun,ed to express his opinion-not in opposition
to popular education, but offers, what he thinks, a
better system than the present feeble one, which
all arc trying to make better and which has not been
much improved even by those who are most clamo
rous for the rights of the dear people. To deny any
man the liberty of thought and freedom OF uterancc
would ind cd be "aristocratc tyranny" in its worst
form. Had Mr.. Taber given stronger expression OF
disapprobation Of the present Common School system
Of State. that would be no part Of reason to JUS
try the extreme and unusual demonstrations which
have been made against him, and, as We regard it,
against the peace and dignity Of society y prcce.
dent which we earnestly hope may never be followed
-onc which strikes fatal blow to liberty OF speech
and Republican principles-ccrainly not one of the
Essentials Of Republic; but on the contrary, unwor-
thy the sanction ofany good citizen. 1t may do for
other attitudes but not for ours We call upon the press
of the State and all good citizens to unite in just con-
dcmnation Of all such proceedings. The spirit which
dictates and the will which executes, is unworthy alike
the age and the country in which We live.
W. r. Taber, jr. stands before the people Of his
State an injured man. Will the public be as ready to
accord him justice rs they have been in TOO hastily
condcmning? We have more confidence in the JUS
tco of public opinion than TO believe any man will bc
made to suffer maryrdom in the nineteenth century
for expressing honest opinion upon subject of &C.
neral interest particularly that of popular education.