Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-06-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the South Carolinian.
EXTRACT
OF governor MaHaaM Omd'S
LeaterS ON southern
Slavery.
SILVER BLUFF. S. c.,
January %, IS45.


generally done abroad, that in case o
war slavery would be source of weak
ness. 1t did mol weaken Ro.ne, uo
Athens, nor Sparta, though their slaves
were comparatively far more numerous
than ours of the same color for the mos
part with themselves, and large number:
of them familiar with the use of arms
have no apprehension that our slaves
would seize such an opportunity 10 revolt.
The present generation OF them born
.amons US, would never think of snch O
thing al any time. unless insligaledsto il
by oIhers:" Against such ins'igations we
are onsour guard. In time of war we
should be mure walchful aud belter pre-.
pared to put down insurrecluns than nj
any other periods. Should any foreign
nation be SO lost TO every sentiment Of
civilized humanity as 10 attempt TO erect
among US the standard of revolt, or 10
invade us with Black Troops for the base
and barbarcus purposes, of stirring up
seryile war, their efforts would be signally
rebuked. Our slaves could not be easily
seduced, nor would any hing delight them
more than 10 assist i'll stripping Cuflee OF
his regimentals 10 put hun IN The Cotton
field, which would be the fate OF most
black Invaders, without any very prolix
form Of "appreuIiceship." If, as | am
satisfied would be the case, our slaves
remained peacefully on our plantations,
and cultivated hem in time OF war under
the suueriuteudance of limited number
of orr citizens, il is obvious lnat we could
put forth more strength in such an emer
gency, ct less sacrifice, than any other
people of the same numbers And thus
we should in every point Of view, "out
of this uetlle danger, pluck the flower
safety!"
How far slavery may be an advantage
or disadvantage o those not owning slaves.
yet limited with US in political associa
ton, is question for their SOLE. considera
ton. llls true that our Representations in
Congress is increased by il; but SD are
our taxes; and The NOUS slave holding
States, being The majority, divide among
themselves Tar The greater portion of the
amounllevied by the Federal Government,
and doubt not that when it con es to a
close calculation, they will not he slow in
finding out that the balance of profit
arising from the connection is vastly in
their favor.
In social point of view, the abolition
lists pronounce slavery to be monstrous
evil. II it was 50, it wo1ld be our own
peculiar concern. and superfuous benevo-
lence in them to lament over il, Seeing
their bitter hostility to US, however, they
might leave US to cope with our own
calamilies, hut they make war upon Us out
Of excess of charity, and anemp. 10 purify
US by covering US with calumny, You
have read aud assisted to circulate a great
deal about affrays, dneIs and murders
occurring here, and all attributed to the
terrible decentralization OF slavery. Not a
single ventof this sort takes place among
US. but il is caught up by The abuitionisls
and paraded over the world with endless
comments, variations and exaggeratious
You should no, lake what reaches you as
mere sample, and infer that there is
vast deal more that you never hear. You
hear all, and more than all, the truth.
Ii is true that the point Of honor is re-
cosnIzed throughout fhe slave region, aud
that disputes of certain classes are fire.
quent!y referred for adjustment 10 the
"trial by combat" 1t would moi be ap
propriate for me 10 enter, in This letter,
into defence Of the practice of duoling,
not TO maintain at length lha, il does moi
tarish the character Of a people 10 ac-
knowledge standard of honor. What.
ever evils may arise from them, however,
they c"nuol be attributed to slavery, since
the same notion and custom prevails both
III France and England. Few of your
Prime Ministers, of the last half century
even, have escaped the contagion. be-
Ie>e. The affrays, of which SO much is
said, aud in which. rifles, bowie knives
aud pistols are so prominent, occur Innslly
~ the frontier States OF the South West.
They are naturally incidental 10 the con.
dlion of society as il exists in many
sections of these recently settled countries,
and will as naturally cease 10 due time
Adventures from The older STATES and
from Europe, as desperate in character as
they are in fortune, congregale in these
wild regions, joslling one another, aud
often frcns thr peaceable and honest
into rec"nlres in self defence. Slavery
has nolh'nglo do with these things. Sla
bility and peace are the first desires Of
every STAKEHOLDER, aud The true tendency
Of the system. 1t could no, possibly exist
amid The eternal anarchy and civil brois
of the ancien' Sp nish douinionsi ia Ame-
rica. and for this very reason domestic
slavery has ceased there. Su far from
encouraging strife, such scenes of riol aud
bloodshed as have within the. las, few
years disgraced our Northern cities, aud as
you have lately Witnessed in Birmingham
Bristol, and Wales, mol only never have
, occurred, hut i will venture 10 say never
will occur il, our slave holding Slaes.-
= The only thing thai eau create moh ia.
you might call it) here. is the appearaDc,
! of an abolitio,n!.::.:.., whom the people as