The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-11-13
What are we to d0R

The first great desideratum in shaping the
future action of South Carolina with respect
to her Federal Relations, is the preservation
other unity as an independent commonwealth
All will agree, upon reflection that this PROPOSE.
ton is undeniably correct. Our State is small
and numerically weak; and il we are to exer.
else any influence in the affairs of the nation
it must be by. presenting solid front in what
ever line of march we may adopt.
But there is cause to apprehend that ip the
hands of our present political leader, this unity
may soon be seriously impaired. The Hon.
Mr.. Orr, on one side of the States, is using
the power of his position to lead US into the
ranks of the National Democracy, and to enlist
the State in the approaching sweepstakes for
Presidency Of the Union; while the Hon. Mr..
Keitt, from similar pedestal of official e!eva.
ton, is declaiming vehemeutly and eloquenty
against the suggested policy Of his elder col.
league. The tendency of this schism between
two of our most prominent and influential men
is to distract the people of South Carolina, and
deprive them of all manner Of strength before
the country.
May there not be compromise between
these gentlemen and their respective adherents
which shall set aside this danger! 1t is not
at all probable that Mr.. Orr will come to the
views of Mr.. Keitt; neither is there any ground
for supposing that Mr.. kei,t will come to the
views Of Mr.. Orr. Between them the State
will stand hampered and Intellectual for any
good. What are we to do?
Suppose Mr.. Keitt, and those who think
with him agree to 60 into the National De-
mocratic Convention as an experiment, with
the stipulation ION the part of Mr.. Orr and his
friends) that if our principles are compromised
in the least for the purpose ofsecuring the cleo
ton of any given candidate, our delegation
shall instantly leave the body! Suppose we
unitedly offer to Virginia, and the other South
ern States, or any one of them, our faithful CO.
operation in this business, upoh like stipula
tion to be observed by them with like promp-
titude: could or could not our State, thus guard
ed and thus forearmed, 60 into the Cincinnati
meeting without infringing her consistency, or
in reality lowering her tones
The suggestion is respectfully thrown out
for the consideration Of our public men. We
are far from being an advocate of National
Conventions in the general; nor is it our pre-
ference that South Carolina should even now be
carried into one. But it may be that our re.
fusal to do anything in that direction will at
the present juncture give offence to our South
ern coniederates; and this should be avoided, If
possible. Our suggestion, under the circum
stances, is, whether or not Gf the State can
act unanimously it would be advisable to send
a delegation to the Cincinnati Convention,
under express check, and with the clearest
as to the course they and the
other delegations are to pursue conjontly.
Ifthe idea be worth anything, our action
should be as the case will admit. We should
elect delegates for the State al large during
the approaching session of our Legislature; and
preparations should then be made for having
district delegates elected at an early day If
the thing is worth doing at all, it is worth do
ing thoroughly and handsomely.
Eageteld Adrertiser.