The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-08-14
The ASPECT of Affairs.

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Notwithstanding tho confident announcement made
by the Hon. J. L. Orr, at tho late demonstration in
his favorat Anderson G. H. that the country enjoys
a repose and the South security upon the slavery
question, far as statutory Legislation is concerned,
greater than she has enjoyed since l7S7" we believe
that at no point IN orr political existence have we been
threatened with greater danger than at tho present.
Do the signs of the times and the present gloomy as
pcct of affairs justify this opinion? Can it DO possible
that tho daily transactions Of the 4botionsts on our
northern and northwestern boundaries confirm the
statements OF The honorable gentleman? So far as
practical application working of all the statutory
legislation" which continues to accumulate and cum
Der the operations Of general Government, is con-
corncd, wo regard that fact Of ITSELF as ono Of the
great contributing causes which has helped to keep
tile South in its present pitiabo and con tcmptibe po
sition:
What have We ever gained by statutory legisla'
ton' which we did not have right 10 bcforc2 What
tremendous practical benefit does this excessive amount
Of Statutory legislation" confer upon US? Do the
abotonists at the North regard these for a momtnt
and will they be in effect other than useless as long as
| NSSSi WV
hands of lawless invaders Of her rights?
How can expect things 10 get any bettor as long
~ southern men pronulgc such sentiments, and adro'
cate doctrines at variance viii! tho anteccdcnts oi
our wiscst aud best statesmen.
We believe tho announcement will fall s"rtugly
upon the ears of the people generally OF this Stalc'
that the South enjoys security on the slavery qies
ton" Who believes ii? Who has any faith III all
those bulsterng. and patcllworks called statutory
legslalinn?" We have none. BY this time our ex-
Ierionce ought 10 teach US u different lesson from
that taught to his constituents by tho distn suished
gentleman from tie mountain district. What good
will oil the statutory legislation" in the universe do
if the law is not carried out or i:exccuted in such
manner as 10 render them absolutely nugatory?-
What is the Fugitive Slave Law-ono of the prom-
nent act. of statutory legislation more apollo
gy for doing that which tho North always bound 10
do, and which they ought to be made to do in short.
er, more eectual and less expensive way-a perfect
hunbug from beginning to eud and ono which has
proved an efficient gull trap" 10 quiet the docc and
amable union loving South. What does Massachu-
sets care for statutory legisation?" Has sho not
nullifed every uct that conflicts with her higher law
notions Of human rights aud privileges and with scorn
refuses to obey Them? Nor is she alone in her dlsre
gard and contempt for them.
| We should like our distinguished representative to
inform how it is possible for the country ITO enjoy
| q repose' under such circumstanccs-whista adverse
cl neus are at work in every conceivable shape and
| form to dsnelnber The American Union. Repose'
and security not tho words now; the gentleman
/ is mistaken We do not profess TO he as knowing, or
as well rosted up is Col. Orr,-potics is not our
busiuess-but cannot forbcur occasionally taking
l.ep at the savings and d"ngs of the knowing ones
! around U.s. and sometimes we differ with them. Col
Orr may be very correct III Of his opinions doubt
less lie s but we have no idea that his views will be
received orthodox by very large part Of the State
outside Of his representative limits. We give our
people credit for consistency and there are yet
left goodly number of those who believe that the
Ulion has failed utterly failed to protect the South in
the maintenance and enjoyment Of her sacred rights
We do not believe the South ought 10 unite herself 10
any national political party-she has common duty
10 perform as section, and common destiny awaits
her. We must confess our disappointment and morti-
fcatlon at such declarations from those WHO
to lead the people Of tho South, and who arc crying
in their cars peace! peacsv ehsn there IS no peace.
COL Orr, however, We are glad to say, is not sus.
tanned in his opinions concerning tue present position
of affairs by all. There arc somo who differ from the
gentleman and those, we think, are quito sagacous
and we'll informed. Hor. W. W. Boyce, our repre-
sentative, who by the way, was, and Is, an honest
Union man, iu his letter against the American Party,
says: When I consider the situation Of the South,
au amazed and saddened at our party contentious"
So say uc. Again Mr. Boyce says: We are upon
the Que of revolution" The italics arc ours. Hear
what Mr.. Boyce gays again:
"Slavcry is the absorbing question. Our first ne
cessity is existence, certainly so il we already
saw tho banners Of the Northern hordes Haunting in
our midst. Lot US drop all minor questions, and unite
the whole South in great party for sclfpreserya.
tion and let US welcome to that party every freeman
oil the Soutl who has heart to feel fer the wrongs Of
the South, and all arm to strike in her defence"
The recent Philadelphia robbofies and fragrant out.
RACES Of private rights and national honor ought to
satisfy tho people at tho South that there is no reposc
no security to them upon the slavery question, us
long a. tho much laudod statutory legislation" is
trampled under foot and dospisod But the teachings
Of certain patriotic statesmen adverse to our state
meuts, aad as universal panacea for all our ills
statutory legislation" is offered to give tho South
wonderful security wonderful wonderfulI
The editor q the Spirit Of tho Aso' at Rslelsl.