Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1847-03-03
From the Charleston Mercury.

ABoLIrIoN-AlR. CALHoUs-THE VIRGINIA
RESOLUTIONS.
We give in another column, flom the UR,on.
sketch of brief debate in the Senate on Sat.
urday last. The strong mind Of Mr. Calhoun
tracesas with pencil Of light the ori gin and
purpose of our present frame Of Government
aud dispels the Illusions and Hisapprehensions
which have led to so much that is erronGuus in
sentiment, and unjust in legislation. We re-
inice to witness the indOmitable energy and
spirit manifested by our great statesman at the
present evenltu period, and trust 10 see his
hands strengthened Ivy the support and concnr-
renee of every son OF the South, whatever may
be his i.arty or partisan predictions. The
question 10 US is one Of life or death, in com.
parison with which, party lies and party or.
ganization sink into utter insignificance.
Some days since we published dn admirable
speech Of MIR. Rllet OIL the WlmOt proviso =
Ii was our intention 10 have accompanied it
with some remarks indicative of our views upon
this important question which it treated with
such marked aud statesmanlke ability. We
now invite the attention Of the whole South
10 tina, speech. considering it, as we do, calm,
temperate, and able exposition, we should say
demonstration Of the rights of The Slave States
lO u IlIli uuu
tory now held, or which at any time hereafter
may be acquired, by the United States. From
this territory it is proposed by Wilmots pro.
viso 10 exclude the people of fifteen Slave
States, OH grounds rs injurious 10 their rights
as it is degrading 10 their character. This pro.
yiso has passed the House Of Representatives,
and is now before the Senate, and already have
the Legislatures OF seven Of the Free States
instructed their Senators to support and vote
for the aggressive and unconstitutional move
ment. We have heretofore denounced it as n
national libel on our character and Institutions.
II is proclamation To the world that we of the
South are no, deemed worthy Of communion
and equality. II is an aspersion AID blct
placed on the records of the National and Slate
Councils to stigmatse and debase the people
of The Slave States.
The argument OF Mr.. Rhelt has been
strengthened by the resolutions presented by
MIR. Calhoun, the selfevident truths Of which
are unanswerabe, and his equally unanswera.
bic speech upon their introduction. On these
two calm, able and temperate expositions, the
question of our rights might safely be left, il
reason, justice, aud tile Constitution, were ot
any avail. We rejoice that the question is in
this shape, as it was forced upon us, and the
issue inevitable. 1t has been forced on the
South with harshhess and, insult; ii has been
met with caimness, dignity and frmness.-Let
lho,e who are pushing this issue on us take
time to reflect. We would commend 10 their
attention these arguments, as well as to our
friends of The South. We must look to it in
time hut as the peril is most imminent, SC
should we be calm and prudent. Meet the
danger in ils worst aspect with onr reasons un
clouded, and our hearts nerved for whatever
resul, mad and wicked men may force upon
us.
Virginia, the old buiwarl oftherlshls of the
States, and of the S?u,h, has spoken with "is
dom, trmness and unaninity. Her reson
,ions are IN the true spirit, and. adopted witt
cheering unanimity. To tile fourth OF The Sc
ries, we point with special pleasure. Never
were .ruer words more nobly spoken. Never