Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-06-20

| From the AadfeSS OF CO!. IL. NJ. BGfr1n-
ger, delivered ut The celebration of the
anniversary the Declaration Of Mde-
p,ndence, in Concord, n. G. May 20M,
1883.
| Previous to and Oh the 20h of May
l775, the present county of Cabarras, as
you all know was a pant of the old Coun-
" VI Mecklenhurs and so continued till
1872, as therefore, This county was IA cou-
slituert part of Meckenhurg at tha, lime
and was fully represented in her famous
Convention (haviug not less, believe. than
Que third of all the deIegates.) and equal.
| ly entitled to the honors we this day rem
der: 50 the observations which are made
are intended to apply equally to both
counties, between whom the only rivalry
should be, which shall most appropriately
commemorate The deed and most success
fully maintain the principles it promu-
galed,
In the early part of the year (1775) the
British troops were stationed in the city OF
Boston, and as that City had always been
distinguished Tor its enthusiasm in the
cause Of the colonies, the eyes of our coun
trymen we're anxiousl Y turned to the carly
cradle of republican liberty, in lively ex
pectaton of some hostile movement, that
would bring the unsettled affairs of the
two countries to a crisis-and make up the
issue Of liberty or submission to be decided
only by the God OF battles.
In May Of that year. the then county
Of Mecklenburg always conspicuous for It's
attachment to the Wing cause Of the Rev
ouIion, aud once honored by Cornwallis
with The compliment of being denounced
as "rhe mnst rebell"us County in Ameri-
ca" held detached meetings of the people
in the different neishhorhoods, al which
neighhorhood meetings, (sOme of which
are doubtless remembered by The veterans
who sit before me-, The people discussed
The neral slate of affairs, expressed their
s> mpathy for the common cause and es-
pecially for their suffering brethren in the
civ of Boston, in whose :ae were denGi.
fed the Interests of all their Countryrncn
asserted their determination never 10
submit to the cxaclons of The BritisI,
Crown; and 10 support their brethren in
liberty, through all the trials of their peril.
Gus situation. These meetings and dis
cussIons, prompted by the love of liberty
among the people themselves, prepared
then, for the event Of which we now speak
aud this dav celebrate.
Accordingly all order was issue,l by
the Colonel CommanrIanl Of The County,
directing every militia company to cleo,
t,co delegates-and to vest them with un-
limited powers for the general good aud
safety. This order met with hearty re
spouse from the people. The delegates
were elected as required, and met in the
Town of Char loite on the 10Th of May,
l775. A remarkable coincidence occurred
On that occasion. When the delegates
were assembled aud in the performance OF
the high trusts committed to their charge,
greeted and urged on by the warm appro
ha,ion oftheir assembled counrrymen, an
Express arrived announcing that the frSi
hostile biOW had been struck in defence OF
liberty: thar the foIIies nf negoriation were
ended: that the Rubicon had heen passed:
that the sword was unsheahed and ls
scabbArd thrown away: and that llle blood
the first blood of American citizens had
he"n shed on The plains OF Lexington and
cried aloud for We geancc! The very
Goddess Of liberty herself could not have
furnished Il more powerful motive ful
prompt and decisive action, more IRE
sis'able incentive 10 the noble deed which
has crowned our forelaihrrs with imperish
able renown. Suppose. Fellow Citizens
our beloved country now inSulted-and
our rights tranpled under foot by an i'm.
perionS enemv-smpposc that enemy to
invade our shores with an hired soIdery-
and heSiege oIIr ciiies-and 10 complete
the climax Of insult and injury, suppose
that enemy to make our free soil drink
the blood Of American Citizens. inhu
manly hurchercd! What son of her.
would not quit his freside and meet in The
tented field the viola,or Of his counlrv's in
jured rights and honor! Yes my friends
thousands Of swords would leap from theil
scahbards to avense the wrong-and de-
fend our country-ihousands of patrio
warriors would lead us on Ia battle
But The deed we now celebrate, as we
shall presently show, was of still higher
daring and glory.
When the messenger arrived and com
municaled The momen,ous purport of hi:
intelligence, our rdelegares were surround
ed, but not orermhelmed, with new Difficult
ties and still greater responsibilities. They
still proceeded in their noble work, will
unhinching frmness. The 10Th passed
over. The night was consumed in sleep
less and grave. hut unwearied deliheralon
The sun of the 2OIh Of Nav rose upor
their labors. They fell the awful respon
sibilily Of their situation. They knew thu
dangers by which they were surrounded
the extent of the power they defed, ant
the weakness Of hei- o,cn arm to contenc
against it. Still they waverrd not. The