Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-12-03

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support.
There can be no good reason why S.
Carolina should preserve an attitude Of
neutrality; but, opposed as size is, To the
motley combination which forms the Wing
party. II becomes her 10 voIe against its
INDUSTRIOUS pretensions. When we con-
template The deep delusion Of so many
thousands of the Southern people, we
want words TO express our aslonlshmenl.
That SO large u portion should have been
enticed from their proper allegiance, and
drawn nro the support Of party which
has no aIiiliation with them, against an
administration which, al periuh of pc
culiar peril, has pledged lis whole power
l., The support of our rights and interests,
is political phenomenon. which is rarely
exhibited. But while we regret this divi-
sion, we fondy hope that the day is not
far distant, when the South will tie united
to man, on the ground now occupied by
our i.iaIe. Threatening as may be The
signs Uf the times, We will not despair nf
the Republic. There must be sufficient
virtue ahd intelligence in the people, to
deluson under which they labor. When
General Harrison comes into power,
brief period. | thiuk, will deveIope the
character Of his administration, and vin'
dicate fully the course of South Carolina.
In contemplating the presrn, condition
Of things, nothing alarms me so much for
the stability of our political institutions, as
the craving corruption in our elections
The monslrous frauds which have been
developed in MANY paris of our country,
must awaken in the bosom of the patriot,
emotions ofIhe most painful characler.-
Our on y security rests in The purity Of the
elective franchise. If men are To he sold
in the market like cattle, soon our country
will aot he the nursery of frremen, but
I he miserable abode uf degraded slaves
From the peculiar nature of our political
organization, purity in elections is indis-
pnsable. Tie sovereign power resides
in the people, and if they become uufiI Tor
Ihe purposes Of government. all IS lost. l
am sorry to believe that. throughout our
country, the spirit Of party has. to great
extent. taken the place of patriolism.-
Love of country is merged in party devo-
tion; and under his fell influence, principle
is forsolton. the Constitution violated. the
rights of States invaded, anil lhe public
morals uodIen under foot. 1t becomes
us, fellow citizens, as The peUple Of une Ol
The sovereign States Of the Confederacy,
to guard against this most destructive in
fucnce, and do our duty 10 our common
country. feel assured THAI lIe present
Presidential canvass, has been marked by
deeper and more wide spread corruption,
than any former event in our history; and
Thar, il the pure and virIuouS of The land
do mol soon come 10 tho rescue, we will,
ere long. be involved in all the perils II
bloody revolution.
Would | could believe that this was Il
picture Of fancy, and moi the sober dictate
Of reason. Though il he true thai S0ulh
Carolina has not reached that depth of
corruption, which we find in the more
crowded communities Of other sections,
she cannot claim exemption. There is
( which is dscreditable 10 virtuous and
enlightened people. Too often we see
ignorance triumph over wisdom, vice over
virtue. II is not To he disguised. thai her
hundreds sell their votes for money aud
for whiskey, and that, in many instances,
he whose virtue and independence pre-.
serve him from The common drmoralZing
practices Of candidates. is hunIed down
and sacrificed as vicIim. The practice
of betting M elections, is most prolific
source of cnrtrptinn. The most i,npOr
,ant Of all The privileges of freeman, is
converted iutnnn occasion for minis,rrins
avercc and cupidi'y aud arou>ins The
worst passions of our nature, Ii is mel
anchnly facr. thai from the pclriesi Dislrir'
Election 30 the Presidency Of the United
Srnres. nuIitulrs are controlled in rhrir
votes, by The prcuniarv interest," which
they have al stake, aud The highest quail
tications, and most brilliant services, are
has entirely disrrgarded. That man is
blind indeed, who upon reflection, docs MOI
perceive The en"rrniv of the evil, and thar
we must fall beneath the ponderous mass
of corruption. which is rapidly accumula-
ling, unless it is soon c0un'cracrcd. ItaIl
upon every man in South Carolina, to cx.
erl his best efforts in preserving The purity
of The elective franchise to take his stand
against that spirit of Iicen'iousncss, which.
in The name of freedom. is t!illusing lar and
wide lis destructive influences. trust
that the people nf our beloved Stale, will
give t. this subject their calme>l consider.
alton; that m enlightened public opinion
will pnrit, the haloI hox, and thar Tie dav
is nol far distant. when he who would of
fer a brihe TO a freeman, shall be branded
with isnomy and disgrace. flour common
Government is destined to fall, let us, to
the last, acquit ourselves like men amii
the general deacneracy, and preye that
we are worthy of true aud rational libcsty.
1t becomes my duty 10 'ransmir To you
copy ofihe Preamble and RcscrIionso of
the Slate Of Connection. in favor OF rhr
Protective policy, which were forwarded
TO me with the request that they be laid