Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-07-12


senseless and fit man for The Constable of
tho watch; therefore bear you the lantern"
Much ado about Nothing.
Mn. EDr1oR,
II was with emotions Of mingled admira-
tion and delight, that lately read the pro-
found, patriotic aud statesmanlike views Of
Squire Holmes as contained in his Reso-
lutians. find myself al loss, however,
which most to admire, the mere beauty and
elegance Of The composition or the profound
and phiIosophic views OF this embryo states.
man. Old Edgefeld has long enjoyed
mcrited reputation for generosity. bravery
aud public spirit; but it was left for Squire
Holmes TO establish for his country, honor
and distinction in the field OF letters; aud
for himself a name and station among The
Li'cra'i of the earth. How deeply is it to
be regretted that the retiring modes,y of
this modern Cincinnatus should have dc.
prived his country so long of his services in
her National Council! | trust that the
modest merit of this retiring genius will
he longer overlooked by the people,
The State may justly regard her loss as a
gain, when she reflects that the destruction
Of her City has led to the discovery Of this
ripe scholar and profound statesman. But
for that caIamity.,his flower too might have
been "born to blush unscen"-tIlis light Of
Ed2efeld might ever have remained under
the bushel. After having tried the sword
and the ermine and finding that he was not
destined to flourish either in the camp or on
the bench. he has at last most fortunately
discovered that his genus lies in legislation.
1t is said that the disregard Of all con-
~en'ional rules is indicative ofa great mind.
A bold and original genius scorns TO follow
the beaten track, but carves out its own
course. Were you not delighted to see
THIS mark Of genius in the redoub,abie
Colonel! Witness his bold, original aud
beautiful Or,hography-hls lofty contempt.
sir, of Lin'lley Murray and all his pi,iful
rules about Syntax and Prosody. Mark
how they all vanish before the pen Of the
valiant Colonel. Lest howev in your adj
n,iration for the substance you may have
omitted to admire the drapery, will at
tempt to coIlect. for the benefit Of your
readers. a few ofthe many gems hch lie
scattered through this literary niue. The
renowned Col. Crockett used 10 boast that
with tirat little book .lWa aIkers pockc, Die
rinnoryi he could spell against crealion.-
lpF .H' sir, lras the Squire excelled even
.'ns "r r,ous tJoasi !! He can not oily
raa, pom Lrocket; but even out spell the
Dicnonary:> His great soul scorns the as
distance of any hook. I trust that Squire
Hehnes will. ere long,. himself write book
upon tho i'art of spelling" Now, if that
thick scullcd old fellow Sam. Johnson, (the
Dictionary many had heen after drawing up
some, Resolutions about "pre-legisla,ion''
hc would have spelt some how after this
fashion :. Called, Secretary, Legislature,
Session, unprecedented. Mark the supe-
riori'y of Justice Holmes genius-his stiik-
lug improvements in Orlhograpby--'Cold,'
"Sccatary," Legislator: 'Cession,' I'm
presi'lented," and the like. look forward
with delight to the day when .Homes on
the art of Spelling" shall stand in my Lii
brary, pre-eninent above Walker, Web
ster and Johnson. am now fully con-
vinced Of the truth of honest Dogberry's
doctrine. na,nely, that "reading and writ
ing comes by nature 1t was thus clearly
that Justice Holmes acquired his, for we
know that such learning is not to be found
in the hooks.
Upon reading these Resolutions, as is
my habit, fell'to musinS upon the motives
which influence man in his course through
life: asked myself, what motive is that
which could induce man, .uotuntarilu.
to expose his own ignorance, and hold HIM
self up TO public scorn and ridicule Could
It be from the pitfiil and childish vanity of
seeing his name i'll the newspaper? Will
n man. TO avoid obscuri,y put on the mot
leg coat and write fool in his own forehe adj!
Having considered the literary IN merit, let
us for moment contemplate The profound
learning of this constitutional lawyer
These famous Resolutions commence by re-
solving, "that we believe the extra session
Of our Legislature TO be unconstitutional, un-
wise and impolitic Bear with me whilst
put to you iew plain questions. And if
yon feel that they arc about to take off
your epidesmis,- only call to your aid your
POLITICAL philosophy and submit to them