The Lancaster Ledger

The Camden Journal of the 23th ult., contains a long article in reply to our Editorial, which appeared some two numbers back in the Ledger, in which we regretted that Camden, from all appearances, was on the decline.

The Editor of the Journal, in a spirit which is not natural to him, comes out with a long tirade, which in substance amounts to nothing.

It may be recollected, that in the editorial we allude to, mention was made of a sale of real estate which took place in Camden, some little time back, and which was at a much lower rate, we thought, than it would bring in Lancaster. We very reasonably concluded from this fact, that Camden was "going down," to say nothing of what we have heard: and predicated our opinion, also, on the fact of so few wagons passing through Lancaster to Camden. This was the basis of our argument, and this the Journal does not deny. The Editor questions the truth of what we say, but does not assert to the contrary. This is strange.

We never have, by thought, word or deed tried to injure Camden, and can assure our friends in that town, that we would be rejoiced to see Camden a town growing in wealth and prosperity. But what folly in Dr. Warren to give vent in a vituperative tirade against us, and then does not even say our statement is not correct. We did think, in reading his article, that when he commenced his paragraph—"we have a mind to say," &c., that our statement about the depreciation of property in Camden, would be declared false, but no, nothing of the kind; the Editor merely says—that the merchants have done exceedingly well, they have a good council, &c. It strikes us that his talk would not do before a jury; the law recognizes a criminal as innocent, until his guilt is proved, and the defendant must bring testimony to prove the untruthfulness of the allegations, or his guilt is established. If we make the assertion that a certain property brought only so much, and the Journal does not deny it, it must be so. The proof we are prepared to give—probably a few dollars, not more than 100 different from our first statement.

As regards wagons going to Camden, we infer from the great number passing last winter, that a great portion of the trade of Camden came from above here, in North Carolina, and as there were so few this winter, it must have been caused by the railroad to Charlotte, and of course must be detrimental to Camden. Does the Editor of the Journal require proof in this matter also? If so, we are prepared to give it.

The fact is, it is difficult to have goods hauled from Camden, and were it not for the accommodation of Mr. Hasseltine's wagon, we would have been out of paper several times.

The following is so good we must give it:
"Were we disposed to boast of what we are doing, we might write a great deal of the many improvements all around us, and not be driven to the necessity of prating about that man's land, or lugging in this man's dog. We have something else to do. We hope the intense mental anxiety of the Ledger, in being "grieved to find Camden has gone down so rapidly," will be speedily relieved, as we must assure him a further expression of his sincere regret, would be but love's labor lost."

Thank you, Brother Warren, for the compliment. It really flatters us to find that you read all our editorials, and retain them, too; we only regret we cannot say so much for the Journal.

The Editor in conclusion, quotes the following from Burns:
"Oh, that some power the giftie gie us,
To see ourselves as others see us."

In reply, we'll give this from Shakespeare:

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