Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-05-21
From the Charleston Mercury.
STATE RIGHTS DEMOCRAIC MEET

Hon. J. S. RHETT,
HENRY GOURDIN, Esn.
Hon. D. E. HUGER,
Maj. VIM. LAVAL,
JAMES LEGARE,. Esq.
Gen. E. H. EDWARDS,
JNO. MAGRARH, Esq.
THOS. D. CONDY, Esq.
Col. JAMES LYMAN.
Hon. ]. S. ASHE,
ROBT. WOTHERSPOON, Esq.
THOMAS LEHRE, Esq.
JNO. LUCAS. Esq.
DR.. JOHN DUNNOVANT,
JOHN STROHECKER, Esq.
Col. JOHN SCHNIERLE,
GEO, GIBBON, Esq.
EDWARD CAREW Esq.
The Committee having retired 10 prepare
the Address, His Hon. the Mayor was loudly
called for by the Meeting, and he responded to
the call in an eloquent manner.
Mr.. Memminger, in behalf Of the Committee,
presented the following
ADDRESS.
Fellow Citizens:
We are again summond forth, 10 defend the
great principles Of constitutional right, upon
which depend the liberties and existence Of the
South. Hitherto, the struggle between the par
ties, which for several years past have divided
the Union, has been one for place and power;
in which South Carolina did not condescend to
mingle. Her position, as the champion of
State Rights, had become one of dignifed neu-
trality; and she chose not 10 soil her ermine. In
contest which involved no principle, TO which
she was pledged. The prominent candidates
for the Presidency, possessed not her conf
dencei and although one of them had avowed
preference for the principles of the South, and
thereby had secured the favor Of some of our
peoples yet the State at large preferred TO stand
the sincerity Of profession. That test has now
been applied, and the principles of action,
which govern parties, now stand open 10 the
observation Of the world. In the heat of long
continued canvass, They have each been brought
10 state their true position, and to range them
selves under leaders, whose principles cannot
be mistaken. A combination has been formed,
embracing all those materials, which have 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 declared against the
present Administration, because it has dared 10
stand up in defence ofthe Democratic princi-
pies of the Constitution. The partizans of
Abolition, of the Tariff, Of Banks, and Con-
solidasion in all its varied forms have made
common cause. Denouncing the President as
"the Northern man with Southern principles, !"
they thereby avow the ground work of their
hostility; and so earnestly and zealously do they
seize upon and pervent to their own purposes,
every element ofstrIfe. that it has now become
the duty Of every friend of his country, to re-
sist their farther advances. Now. that the bat
lie is waxing warmest and real danger threat
ems; it is not in the generous nature Of South
Carolina To decline the combat Wherever
her friends and principles encounter danger,
there, will lever be fourd her standard, advan-
cling TO the rescue.
1t cannot be disguised, that the great
principles which now divide parties in the Uni
on, are precisely those, which have been ever
the subject of controversy since the foundation
ofthe Governments. There has always been
found party striving to ride over the Democ.
racy, and under one pretext or another it is
found in our country attempting to secure 10
its votaries the whole power and advantages
of the Federal Government Finding them.
selves hemmed in by the wisdom of the Con.
stitution, they have resorted to the device OF
constructive powers, and seek thereby to sub.
slitute the will of majority, for the Magma
Charta of our Liberties. The people of our
State. in common with their Brethren of the
South, have even held, that submission 10 such
doctrine, is virtually surrender of the very
Citadel of our Liberties 1t is in fact repeal
ofthe Constitution itself. in this opinion were
fully agreed both the great parties which lately
asitated our State. Their only difference was
concerning the remedy against and infringe.
mcnt of their rights. That difference has been
adjusted by events; and we now agein stand
where all originally stood, making common
altar in the great cause Of our Country: All
save that nameless cohort which gave uncer.
tain support to the Administration while it was
strongest; but which true TO its own preference
for Tariff, Banks and consolidation, now aban.
| dons its allies when assailed, and has made
known its secession from the great State Rights
and Uaion party of the South, by hosting in
our city the self same banner, under which the
Abtionisis is marching TO invade us.
Under these circumstances and believing rs
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 range ourselves with the friends of Admins.
! tration.
j. 1t cannot be concealed, that the fixed de.
termination, with which the President has car.
ried out his inaugural declaration against the
schemes of the Abolitonists, has concentrated
against him the malace of that faction. In
every State where these incendiaries can col.
lect the least force, it is found invariably mar.
shalled against the administration; and II is now
become obvious that the defeat of the admins
tration is regarded by them as triumph Of
their principles. So close is the intimacy hc
tween the opposition and the Abolitionists thai