Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-03-06
Eage6e\a Court Mouse, S. c., March 6, As4o.

earnestly entreat the honest and honorable OF
all parties 10 go llome-and tell their constituents
that the real issue mude now is one of union or
disunion. Tell them that the south, though
Justly excitable On this subject, is long "for-
bearing and suffering" Tell them, if slavery
is an evil, upon us rest the consequences; if
there be guilt in it, upon us is the responsbili-
ty. Assure them that the whole south firmly
believe that it is political blessing, and with
this consciousness resting upon us, new and
craved generation must arise, and fill our pla-
ces, before emancipation can be effected. Let
them know that the south will become one
great cemetery of freemen, and the abode of
slaves only, before their designs can be accom-
plished. The south, sir, loves and values the
Union; and she cannot forget, in brief half
century, that common tolls, and common dan.
gers, secured to us ALL this great and glorious
republic. We cannot so easily tear from our
memories, that our blood comingled i'll our re-
volutionary struggle, and that the bones of ou'
ancestors repose together OIL the fields of Eutaw,
Yorktown, and Camden. Sir, we should de-
plore, rs the greatest calamty, the sad and aw-
fiji necessity which shonld render a separation
of necessity; but rather than yield our dearest
rights and privileges, we would see the Union
scattered to the winds. and hoIl those who are
how our brethren "encnies in war, IN peace
friends"
have thus, Mr.. Speaker, discharged disa-
greeublc duty; have cndeavorcd to do so in
lairness and honesty, and while am on this
floor, will recur 10 another subject, upon
which South Curolina nulfers have been so
often taunted. 1t has been asked of the small
party with whom act, how we could support
the measures of an administration, that, some
years ago, hurled denunciation against us.
Sir, do not, according to the fashion Of the
day, undertake to "de6ne my position"
shall let my position define itself by my acts;
but Ihave not the slightest objection to answer
these repeated queries In former days. the
present chief magistrate may have dcnlt some
hard blows on the heads of the nulIifets, but he
gave lis no blow which was moi returned with in.
terest, Our quarrel ofthat day is over, and the
occasion which gave rise TO the excitement has
passed away, and we find ourselves still part of
this great conlederacy We are in le National
Legislature, where there are too great parties
the democrats and wings. five vote al tall, we
are compelled to take sides with one of these
two great divisions; and we are so unsophist-
Gated in the ways Of the world rs really TO be-
lieve we ought TO act with those who Sustain
us, and maintain onr doctrines upon national
subjects. Is there any thing unaccountable in
thisl The democratic party, with the Presi-
dent are opposed to protective turiffs; so are
we: they are inimical to splendid schemes of
internal improvements by The General Gov
ernment; that is our doctrine: they are in favor
Of, and advocate 4 total separation Of the finar-
ces of the Government from the control and di-
rection of the banks, they are opposed to u.
States Bank; and at last, though not least, they
arc opposed, and give rs practical proof OF
thor opposition, to the whole project of Abnli-
ton. These are our views and opinions; and
shall we desert them because we find others
maintaining them7 No, sir, we support any
party that is politically right. We are not nor
do we Intend to become the partisans of the
Administration. tn be led and driven as party
hacks; we shall act as our Judgment dictates,
although we do support is leading measures
Sir, if we had felt doubts as to the propriety
and correctness of our course, when we first as
sembled here, they would have been dispelIed
by the events Of the Harrisburg convention.-
We believe the nomination of Gen. Harrison
was effected by combination of Abolitionsts
and other factions, Of which the first was pre-.
dominant; for how otherwise could the pre-.
eminent claims Of the gifted, aud, will add,
patriotic Senator from Kentucky be set aside
for one so far below lin in all the qualifications
for the Presidential office.
Mr.. Van Buren, had declared to the world
In terms which admit of no doubtful constrllc-
ton, that Congress had no constitutional right
to touch slavery in the States. and that he he
lieved it highly inexpedient to interfere with
that subject in the District of Columbia, and
boldly assumed the ground that he would re-
sist, by his veto, such attempts, under rs strong
an obligation as if such clause was in the
Constitution. He was no "non-cummittal'' ON
that occasion, and if words are capable of con-
veying any definite meaning. he has said all
that the South could reasonably expect from n
northern President. His declarations have en-
posed him to the wrath and fury of Abolition
lists from that day to this, and will continue to
do so. Is there all Abolitionist on this floor
that is not fercey opposed to himl Is there
one any where? The democratic party thro'-
out tile Union so fur as know, assume the
same ground. In proof Of what say, beg
to read an extract from paper which hold
in my hand. 1t is part of the proceedings of u
great democratic convention, held ut Colnm-
bus, Ohio, on the 9th of this month, said to con
sist ofatleust three thousand persons.
Resolrcd, That, in the opinion of this con-
vention, Congress ought not, without the con-
sent of the people of The District, and of the
States Of Virginia and Maryland, to abolish
slavery in the District Of Columbia and that
the efforts now making for that purpose, by or
ganized societies in the free States; are hostile
to the spirit Of the Constitution and destructive
10 the harmony of the Union.
ResOlced, That slavery, being domestic in
stitution, recognised by the Constitution of the
U. States, we, as citizens of free State. have
no right to interfere with it, and that the organ.
ization of societies and associations in free
States in opposition 10 the institutions Of sister
States, while productive ofno good, may be the
cause of much mischief; and while such asso.
ciations, for political purposes, ought 10 be dis
countenanced BY every lover ofpeacc and con-
cord, no sound Democrat will have part or lot
with them.
Rcsoired, That should there be any members
Of this convention who do not subscribe to the
principles contained in these resolutions relat-
ing to the subject of Abolition, they be hereby
requested to leave their names with the pub