Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r Aj-d.a? > r ' i.i conMi;.\ ic atio-\ s. for the journal.' GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE. TIIE SATURDAY EVENING LECTURE "Set a watch, Oil I?ord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips. l'szUn. 141; 3v. The beautiful allusion of the Psalmist covers an important christian grace. Let us illustrate the merits of the one, and enforce the obligations of the other. Aware of the deplorable consequences, ot wnat he elsewhere calls 'speaking unadvisedly I with his lips,' ihc inspired minstrel invokes the sunclifying influence of divine grace to set a watch before his mouth, lest, as wc are to understand him, some harsh, or improper thought should escape by this avenue. By which metaphor, he most judiciously represents the lips as having a door, which can be properly opened or shut only by the movements of -a divine power. The passage may, or may not conduct to the heart. Lauguage may be - expressive of the sentiments; or it may be, as it is tao often the case, the evidence of iknnnliilai-i-nacc The Penlmist nr.-lV. 1IIC1 C UlUU^IIklVOdUVO^ IIW a | - ^ ed in general terms, against the sin of evil speaking: but intimates rather the desire to be delivered from that degree ol the guilt, which is incurred by the want of due reflection. If his tongue had no vigilant sentinel of truth or propriety, inspired by divine grace, how was it possible for him to know what hosts of ungenerous, malicious or impious expressions mighr pour; out to the injury of his neighbor; to the scandal upon religion; and to the offence against God? The question is not withoui force in our day and generation. One ol the most mischievous, and common offences against charity and social happiness, is that of inconsiderate speaking: and, therefore, one of the most important graces is that which teaches the knowledge, and inspires the ability to effect the pro per government of the tongue. Let us expand those two points of reflection. It should be premised, however, that pur remarks arc not levelled against the vices of scandal or calumny, which are sins of s?odiou8a nature that no defarner will acknowledge that he is guilty of them: and. therefore, those offences should be rebuked under their own proper designation, rather than that of a general animadversion upon idle speaking. But there is a propensity in many persons to tattle?a strong inclination, not so much to find fault, or to criticise, as to hear themselves talk. Their tongues seem to have been stung by the Tarantula: and they seek the cure of involuntary motion. But unlike 1 the venom of the fabled Italian insect the disease in question gains strength by exercise: and "vires acquirit eundo"? gatheis new vigour as it dances along.? To one affected with the garrulous disposition silence is in the last degree painful. The individual appears to be under a ne- 1 cessity to talk. No matter whether it be 1 good, bad, or indifferent?the secret of a 1 friend, or ihe private concern of a family I' which should be sacredly respected?no t matter what the thought may b ?hat > which comes uppermost to suggestion, I must be instantly detailed. There is no watch set before the door of his lips.? | And all sorts of ideas, and opinions rush ) forth. Think of the Jolly of this unfor- I tunate propensity. Under its impulse, ' the loqtacious pursue their course, heed- I less of the rebuke of conscience, or the < opinion of others. If there be nothing ' new to narrate, the oft' told tale may be 1 repeated with additions &. embellishments. 1 If suspicion be excited, or the real fact ' t discovered, that something strange has occurred, in the history of the social cir- 1 rle with which the garrulous are connect- 1 ed, the favoring circumstance is not to be lost. A mete hint can, with a little iir-> genuity, be worked up into the very good joke% and practical anecdote which may createai'n^semeul or surprise: or in other words afford something for gossip. A species of employment this indicating the thoughtless pecuiarity of mind, winch like the idle instinct of flies over hurrying from one thiDg to another derive their nourishment* as well from the conserve of roses, as from the putrid exhalations of death! And the question is asked, why not indulge the spirit of free conversation? Must one be ever on their guard? Why .. peat what has been said of another: If i harm be intended, what harm is do.ft? What harm? How can you possibly tell what mischief may be done by the un* trvn I ?11> f\C guaiuvu lUllgUCi ?* *? V. wt its inconsiderotion. An individual, made the thoughtless butt of sarcasm, or the object of witticism may possess the most shining virtues and estimable traits of character. What must be thought of tbfef ropensity which, overlooking'.the moral uiul mental qualifications most useiful aiiid ornamental to human nature, pries out some event, circumstance, or peculiarity of manner ttn-ender the wise, and benevo" v .jf lent, ridiculous, or despicable in the opirt lun of others? Is it no harm to trifle with. character: to throw your neighbor into a position, in which his good sense may fce j questioned, or his integrity suspected; to degrade him - from the walks- of popular respect, and usefulness? Is garrulity inno-1 cent, when it sanctions rumors, which | ought (without most positive and undeniabie proof to the contrary) be received as falsehoods? But suppose the evil report true. Its propagation then is more offensive, because it assumes the malignity of intentional calumny. Truth aggiavates scandal; and notoriety e t venoms the other wise harmless censure. Who knows not that errors in opinion, weakne'sses of nature, and darker shades of sin are the common fruits of all human experience? As a man of mercy, do yoii find amusement in errors and infirmities of the afflicted, the unhappy and the fallen? Is it not sufficient for you to know, that they are diseased, but you must tear off the bandages and exhibit their wounds and ulcers to the world! Nay but no harm was meant. It was only a little pleasantry. A mere harmless conversation to pass away time. What a sad reflection is thus heaped upon the idle propensity of an ungoverned tongue! If the offender had been an avow, ed enemy: was the rumor based upon maI lice prepense, then one might have guard ed against the attack. But it was thou my supposed well wisher that hast done me this uncalled for wrong. " We took sweet counsel together; we walked in the house of Goil as friends," An injury done to another can never be justified by the plea of not intending it, when the mischief has been occasioned by thoughtlessness.? Should the madman be permitted to throw firebrands in the harvest field, because he might with truth, ask am I not in sport? In speaking lightly ot others did the garrulous person mean no harm? Grant it.? But harm was done. And why ought not principle dictate the duty, to set a watch before the door of the lips, to prevent the injurious speech? take the matter home to yourself and reflect upon the impolicy of the loquacious spirit. Iiotv would you like to be thrown by a proteased friend, into the awkward position of being either dispised or ridiculed? Should it be any source of gratification to learn that circumstance oflifebevondcontrol were bruited by t >wn talk to your disadvantage: and even that your best intentions to maintain truth, and do good were perverted into acts of absolute folly, or of intentional wickedness? By the law of retaliation, may you not ' provoke similar returns of unkindness; Dr perhaps of designed rancour? Is there j no weak point in your character, which , scrutinizing errors or malice may not de- i :ccl? Is your citadel of purity and correct * aste so strong, and well defended, that ] teither the suspicion of the guilty, nor the t ancy of the tattler can penetrate them? t Are von above remark? No. vou are not. 1 J ' ? Fhen remember, that the measure which you deal to others, will be measured to you again. Every attempt that you make to render another contemptible, injures yourself. It destroys that tender sympathy which should bind you to the interest and happiness of human nature Can you say, that the circumstances of future life shall not be such, as to compel you to need, c and ask the offices of kindness from the ? ? very person whom you have wounded or injured? At least, it is uncertain, at what moment you may require the support of conscipu6,reclitude,to mitigate the wounds, thoughtlessly, perhaps, inflicted by others upon yourself. What if the person vilified has not your share of good sense, ex- I altcd reputation, or even christian gifts ' ant! graces. He at least is man?one of j the human family, fur whom Christ died; j and claims of you the same thoughtful con* i sideration and kindness that you expect ; from others. A rc you a christian? Be consistent. Speak advisedly. Pray that divine grace tnay set a watch before the . door of ryour lips. Never speak the thing which your heart disptoves. Let your mention of other persons be as if in their trosnnrp; and nlivars with t!ip fpplinrr nf christian kindness. Remember that God will judge the idle word. *If any man among you seem to be religious und bridleth not his. tongue, but dcceiveth his own heart litis man's religion is vain.'? St. James, I. 20. t i 9 Thore are 50,000 paupers in London. Population , 3,000,000. , For the Journal: PUBLIC MEETING. A meeting of a large and respectable portion of the citizens of Kershaw District, was held on the 9th inst., in the Court House in Camden. On motion of Col. M'Willie, J M* DeSaussure, was called to the Chair, and J. W. Doby appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting being explained by the Chair, Col. J as. Chesnct, Jun. moved that a Committee of 17 be appointed to prepare an Address and Resolutions for the consideration of the meeting. The Chair then appointed James Chesnut, Jr. Lewis Patterson, James W. Cantey, W. E. Johnson, Abram D. Jones, William Jesse Taylor, Samuel 8. Taylor. James C. Haile. Joseph Patterson, Jesse Ktlgore, Wiley Kelley, James Tiller J. P. Dickenson, M. M. Levy, J. D. Murray, James C. Doby, William B. Fletcher. ' The Committee ha ring retired, reported through their Chairman, Col. James Chesnut, Jun. the following Address and Resolutions? The dignity, as well as the responsibities which are thrown upon the man who administers the Executive branch of the government of South Carolina, render it proper and important that the people should know the merits, and approve the claims of all who may aspire to that high confidence and honor. , v Our late Representative in Congress, the Honorable John P. Richardson has been nominated in various sections, as one fit, in all respects, to be invested with the trust and honors of the first office in the State. The nomination of Col. Richardson is the act of his old political opponents, and comes, professedly,in the spirit of compromise. As such, it has been met by those who number him among the distinguished in their ranks, possessing their confidence, and entitled to their support.? At) appeal a iiuiTCf ci| iiuuiiubc liiuicauuint that the expections of a general and undivided support alike from the former Nullification and (Jnion parlies, is likely to prove delusive; and that the hopes entertained in this regard, of ratifying the bond of amity between tliem, by some act, indicating sincerity and faith* and thereby procuring unity and strength in the conduct of the State Rights and Independent Treasury Party, are in danger of being wholly disappointed. Therefore, wc, the citizens of Kershaw District, without regard to the distinction of former party differences, do unite to address our fellow citizens throughout the State, and ask, in the spirit of conciliation, that they will give a candid consideration to the reasons wc will submit in favor of the election of Col. Richardson. We would support him not only because of his firm adherence to those great prinrinlpti nf rmiRtitntinnnl runRfrnrtinn nnH of security and reform, which enter into the leading measures of our present Federal Administration?but also, in consideration of his own merits, and the position he lately occupied in relation to those parties, whose feuds so violently moved the animosities, and destroyed for a time, the harmony of our people. It has not been forgotten, that when Messrs. Adams, Clay and Webster had, by bargain and intrigue, insinuated thopselves into power, that all who were oppose to their federal principles, united together, and in 1827, formed a great Slate Rights party to resist the dangerous precedent of that unholy league, and to rejtore the government to its purity. They succeeded and placed general Jackson at he head of affairs: unfortunutcly, during lis administration, discord scattered again ;he State Rights party,and one great quesion growing out of our resistance to the arid*, split its members asunder in this State. Every good citizjo recalls with pain, he memory of our internal differences, hreating our communities with deep con pulsions and fraternal bloodshed. This violent contest, began in 1838, was brought o a close in 1834. All who could claim in interest in the welfare of the State :ould not but rejoice at the restoration of >cace and union, and feci grateful to those vhose wisdom, prudence and patriotism ichieved this happy event. To bring this ibout, no one acted a more conspicuous ind efficient part than Col. Richardson. When, in 1834, a compromise seemed ilmost desperate, and the Union Party ooking with certainty to the amendment )f the Constitution containigg the onth of illcgiancr-, were jirrjiarrd for extremities;; nvhen theii adversaries believing the crisisj had arrived, and assumed an attitude of: hostility, which left but a single step to ( tiring them in dire collision, theinfluence of, 6ol. R., with that of a few of the leaders of both narties. was actively and success-. I - J fully exerted to produce that accommodation, which resulted in the celebrated report of the Committee on Federal Relations, and which was adopted with almost perfect unanimity by both branches of the Legislature, on the 9th December, 1834. This was the olive branch of peace which restored a much needed quiet to our vexed and agitated people. Wh?n Mr. Van Buuen, anxious to provide for the imperious wants of the country, and to arrest the tide of evils, flowing from the copious fountains of those false notions of government, against which he had continued an able and uncompromising struggle, called an extra session of Uongress, in 1837, the Hon. J. C. Calhoun, with the consummate wisdom of a profound St'desrnan and the high purposes of pure patriotism, took ground against modern Whigism, with all its black train of allies and heresies, and calling upon the 1 i Nullifiers and Union men, as holding a common creed in all essential particulars, rallied the dismembered part)' of 1827* They enlisted under the banner of their old doctrines, "to do battle for the Consti' tution and their country. None, among all parties, yielded more prompt and efficient service in that cause, than the Hon. J. P. Richardson. While he was nur Renrecentntitrp in Congress, liis peculiar position and his I good sense and address enabled him to render important services. It behooves the rallied party of 1827? the members of the present Democratic State Rights and Independent Treasury Party of S. Carolina, to endeavor to heal all divisions and to unite every man, of all parties (irmly in support of those great and general principles which they profess to ( cherish. A fair and proper occasion is now presented. The old Nullification <fcUnion Parties of this State are not yet in perfect amalgamation. It is desirable and important that they should be so?and to effect this, a candidate has been nominated from the ranks of the minority. It should be borne in mind that the com promise & reconciliation of the conf; ig parties were effected as long sir us 1834, and to this lime no office 01 ..gli honor or emolument has been confer red by the Legislature on any member of the former Union Party. The present gives a fair opportunity of testing whether the reconciliation has been honest and sincere, or a hollow deception amusing with promises which are never intended to be performed. 1 he late of CoI.Kichardson's election will pro re, whether confidence in each other, the source of all party strength, shall stand as a bond of uniun and power, or be made to yield to the conviction in the minority, that the majority intend, if possible, to debar them from a participation in the honors of the Stale. A candidate is presented to the choice of the State, whose undoubted qualifications and peculiar position at present render him most lit to elicit its confidence and procure its suffrage. Col. Riciiandsox, in his federal politics, is with the Stale, and sound to the core.? He is identified with the great Southern Anti-Bank and Independent Treasury partr. and holds the doctrines of the old State Rights party of 1827. Through him we would promote a reconciliation between tho former Nullification and Union parties?Through him we proffer to the present Democratic Stale Rights and Inpependent Treasury party ot this State,' union and strength?a union and strength j which is now of the greatest moment, | that we may present an unbroken front to the dangerous principles of the parties now at war with the administration, and whose allied forces are struggling to seize the reigns of the government. Therefore, be it + Resolved, That we, the citizens of Kershaw District, without distinction of former parties?but as democratic State Rights and Independent-Treasury men, do hereby ' recommend our fellow citizen, the Hon.! J. P. Richardson, of Sumter District,! for the next Governor of this State. 2. Resolved, That in sustaining this nomination, we are not only actuated by a proper regard for the qualifications, and services of Col. Richardson, but a sincere desire to obliterate the recollection of all past feuds and differences?to preserve harmony, strength and union in the councils of the Stale to meet all future emergencies ol wrong and danger. Col. W. M'Willie and Capt. W. J. Taylor then addressed th> meeting in support of the address and resolutions, after which, they were unanimously adopted. On motion of J. P. Dickinson, Esq. it was ' *. . ' Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Camden Journal. The meeting then adjourned. J. M. DESAUSSURE, Chairman. J. 'V. Doby, Secretary. GREAT STATE RIGHTS DEMOCRATIC MEETING. At a very numerous and respectable; meeting of the State Rights and Demo-j cratic party of Charleston, held at the j i . r T it _ _ rni 1 ! 4L - US L 1 Ulty null, on i nursuay evening, me <111 inst. His Honor the Mayor was called to i the Chair. The Meeting being organised, j It was moved by Col. Meminoer that i a Committee of twenty-five be appointed < to prepare an Address. Thereupon, the following gentlemen i were appointed by the Chair: I C. G. Mcminger, Esq. Hon. Ilcnry i Dcas, lion. F. 11. Elmore, Hon. Jacob Axon, Ker Boyce, Esq., Hon. J. S. i Rhctt, Henry Gourdin, Esq., Hon. D. E. i Hugcr, Mnj. Wm. Laval, James Legare, I Esq. Gen. L. II. Edwards, John Magrath, I Esq., Thomas D. Condy, Esq., James i Lynah, lion. J. S Ashe, Robert Wother- I spoon, Esq., Thomas Lehre, Esq., Jon. i Lucas, Esq., Dr. John Dunovant, Abr. < Tobias, Esq., 1. Stroheckcr, Esq., Cohp John Schnierle, Geo. Gibbon, Esq., Ed-j? ward Carcw, Esq. J < The Committee having retired to pre-,] pare the Address, His Honor the Mayor j i was loudly called for by the Meeting, and j i he responded to the call in an eloquent !i manner. ii Mr. Memi.vger, in behalf of the Com- i mittee, presented the following ADDRESS. Fellow Citizens; We arc again summoned forth to defend the gn at principles of constitutional right, i upon which depend the liberty and existence of the South. Hitherto, the strug- j gle between the parties, which for several < years past have divided the Union, has' i i . ] been one for place and power, in which South Carolina did not descend to mingle* Her position, as the champion of State Rights, had become one of dignified neutrality; and she chose not to soil her ermine, in a contest which involved no principle to which she was pledged. The prominent candidates for the Presidency possessed not her confidence; and although one of them had avowed a preference for the Sotith, and thereby?had secured the _ lavor of some of nor people; yet the State at large, preferred tostand aloof from the the contest, until time should test the sin* cerity of profession. That test has now been applied, and the principles of action, which govern parties, now stand open to the observation of the world. In the heat of the long continued canvass, they have each been brought to take their true' position, and to range themselves under leaders, whose principles cannot be mis* taken. A c unbinaiion has been formed, embracing all those materials, which havo so often threatened the peace and security of the Union, and is now advancing in full career to invade the rights of the South. An open war has been declaied against the present administration, because it has dared to stand up, in defence of thedetnocraiic principles of the constitution. The partizans of abolition, of the tariff, of banks, and consolidation in all its varied forms, have made common cause.? Denouncing the President aS " the north- # : ern man with southern principles," they j thereby avow the groundwork of their hostility, and so .earnestly and zealously do they seize upon and pervert to their own purposes every element of strife, that it has now become the duty of every friend of his country to resist their farther advances. Now, that the battle is waxing j warmest, and real danger threatens, it is J not in the generous nature of South Carolina to decline the combat. Wherever her friends and principles encounter danger, mere win ever be lounu ner standard, advancing to the rescue. It cannot be disguised, that the great principles, which, now divide parties in the Union, are precisely those, which have been ever the subject of controversy since the foundation of free Governments. There has always been found a party striving to ride over the Democracy, and under one pretext or another it is found in our country attempting to secure to its votaries the whole power and advantages of the Federal Government. Finding themselves hemmed in by the wisdom of the Constitution, they have resorted to the device of constructive powers, and seek thereby to substitute the will of ? majority for the Magna Charta of our Liberties. The people ol our State, in common with their Brethren of the South, have ever held, thai submission to such i? doctrine is, virtually, a surrenderer of tho very Citadel of .our Liberties. It is in lact a repeal oi me uonstitution itseit.? In this opinion were fully agreed both the great parties which lately agitated our State. Their only difference was concerning the remedy against an infringement of their rights. That difference has been adjusted by events; and we now again stand where all originally stood, making common cause for the great priivciples of Republican Stale Rights. Justly may we hail the moment as an era, when once again all the people of our Stale can meet at one common altar in the great cause of our Country. All save that nameless cohort which gave uncertain support to the Administration while it was strongest; but which true to its own preference for Tariff, Banks and Consolidation, now abandons its allies when assailed and has made known its secession from the great States Rights and Union party of the South, by hoisting in our City the . self same banner under which the Abolitionist is marching to invade us. Under these circumstances and believing as we firmly do, that for the South the period has arrived, when every free Patriot is bound to take his post, we but owe it to ourselves and the country, to declare the grounds upon which we rang* ourselves with the friends of the administration. Itcannot.be concealed, that the fixed determination, with which the President has carried out his inaugural declaration sgainst the schemes of the Abolitionists, has concentrated against him the whole malice of that faction. In every state where these incendiaries can collect the least force, it is found invariablv marshnll-. eel against the administration; and it is now become obvious that the defeat of the administration is regarded by them as a. triumph of their principles. So close isthc intimacy between the Opposition and the Abolitionist that even in the Halls of Congress when the clearest and universally acknowledged rights of the South are under discussion, the public servants of the country are found silently deserting^ their posts to avoid a declaration of ualoubted rights, which might offend their iVbolition Confederates Nav! so powerful seems the influence of tliia alliance and so ilosely does it appnar interwftven with hostility to the Southern Institutions, that jpon a question of vital importance to tho South, one of our own Senators is missing from his place, and one half the constitutional voice of the State is lost to her support. Contrast such results with the brave and generous support of the Administration! Disdaining personal considers* tions, and regardless of the clamor of tho Abolitionist, they gathered around iho distinguished Champion of our rights and by their unflinching countenance and sup port enabled him to establish a proposition Essential to the defence ahd security of our Institutions.