The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-03-21

bear investigation. This argument is sug
gested by persons whose knowledge Of polit-
ical economy and the science of government
surely ought to have taught them that labor
may twist and squirm as it please yet in the
end it will have to bear the burden oftaxa-
tion.. You may have accumulated labor (capi.
tall to some extent stolen or pilfered from you
by oppressive governments, but it will always
compensate itself out of the laborer. You
may tax land and it will laugh at you. You
may tax the pillow but it willpay you nothing.
You may tax the horse and he will kick up
his heels at you. The man must come with
his labor, and then the product of his labor
will pay the taxes, as it pays tho rent of the
land, and the wear and tear OF the plow and
the hire and food of the horse.
But while may net suggest to any of my
friends what amount they should subscribe,
may not urge upon you all, an earnest ef-
fort to aid, so far IS you may in this enter
prise. 1t is small one, it is true, but it is
the first public enterprise we have earnestly
engaged in since the war, with assurance of
success. 1t is of some importance Of itself,
but far more as an example and precedent.
1t Will give us hope and assurance Of life.
1t is the first step. The next will be a rail-
road from Camden, to Charlott, via. Lancas-
tr. Then great steps will come In rapid
succession.
We are blessed with great material resour-
ccs, the development of these must recon-
struct us. Politics will do nothing for us,
and philosophy at best will only enable us to
endure our burdens Those of us familiar
W tn the internal history of this District,
know, our not remote ancestors were as poor
as we are, while we hold the vantage ground
in all things except habits of thrift and in
dustry and good government. They: with
scarce good start at the commencement Of
this century, built up in half century a
community of great wealth, society both
attractive and pure. We can do as we'll, or
better, but it requires earnest, watchful ef-
fort, industry, economy, energy and public
spirit. We have a climate, soil and staples
unsurpassed, and history to preserve and
illustrate, Shall We prove ourselves worthy
of our history, or will We some day justify
the remark of US, lately made by traveller
in Greece ? "a country, rich in historical
"reminiscences, but poor as Saharah in every
thing else"
My friends, if we may Aatter ourselves
that in our past there is history emu'a'ing
that of ancient Gree c, may we not painfully
detect something here of the degeneracy of
modern Greece &? Is there nothing ofidleness,
listlcssncss, faithlessness, sycophancy, trick
ery2
What is suggested to you when you read
that "a scraggy nest of foreign ofice-holders
set in the places of Themistocles. Pericles
and the illustrious scholars and Generals of
the Golden Age of Greece" Who could sit
fer the companion picture to this? Andare
we sure that war. conquest and corruption
are not having their demoralizing and degen-
Grating influences upon our people? From a
grieved heart tell you that these things are
so, and nothing so accelerates this downward
course as despair. Let us unite in every cf-
fort to give our young men hope, energy, res
olution. Onward, ou,cartl, oNwARB! is alike
duty and necessity. We can redeem this
country for our children, but if we do not
shake off apathy, our future will contrast as
unfavorably with our past as do modern
Greece and Italy with their great past.
Capt. T. II. Clark presented the result Of
visit recently made to Charleston in con-
nection with Names Baum, as Bridge Com
missioners. Their propositions were kindly
received by the So. Ca. Railroad Company,
and Mr.. G. o. Witte, President Of the Pco-
pies National Bank Of Charleston,
and their expectations were fully realized,
Mr.. Names Baum read communication
from the Finance Committee of the So. Ca.
R. r., addressed to the Special Bridge Com
missioners, in which the R. r Co., offers to
endorse the notes for $4,000, of the Bridge
Commissioners. If practicable, they would
take the contract for building the bridge.
Mr.. NJ Baum also stated, thatthc Peoples
National Bank would advance the money on
the notes endorsed by the S. G. R. r., with
interest at II per cent per annum, and the
Bridge Bonds as collateral
On motion, committee was appointed to
solicit subscriptions for the Bonds authoriz-
ed by the Legislature for building the bridge.
The chair appointed the following gentlemen:
Maj. John NJ. DeSaussure, Mr.. James Dun
lap and Capt T. H. Clark. On motion. of
Mai. DeSaussure. Mr.. j. NJ. Davis was ad-
dcd to the Committee. There being no
further business before the meeting, it was
adjourned. II. BAUM, Secy.
Ar al lady can be told by her gloves and
L.