Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-02-14

The parent country cmancipated slaves in her
colonial possess ons-a Government rich and
powerful, and ac,uated by views of. policy,
(mistaken as they turned out to be,) rather
than fanaticism., 1t was, besides, disposed 10
act Justly towards The owners, even in the act
Of emancipating their slaves, and 10 protect
and foster them afterwards. 1t accordingly
appropriated nearly Sl0o,0O0,OO0 as a COM
pensation 10 them for their losses under the
act, which sum, although it turned out TO be
far short of the amount, was thought at the
time 10 be liberal. Since the emancipation,
it has kept up sufficient military and naval
force TO keep the blacks in awe, and mum.
Der of magistrates, ard conSablcs, and other
civil officers, to keep order in the towns and
plantations, and enforce respect 10 their for
mcr owners. To q considerable extent, these
! have served as substitute for the police
formerly KEEP, on the plantations by the own
crs and their ovrrscers, and 10 preserve the
social and political superiority of the white
race But notwithstanding all This, the Brit-
s!l West India possessions are ruined, inn
poverlshed, miserable, wreched and destined
probably 10 be abandoned 10 The black race.
Very different would be the circumstances
under which emancipation would take place
with US. If it should be effected, it will be
through the agency Of the Federal Govern>
n,ent, controlled by the dominan Mt power Of the
Northern States Of the Confederacy against
the resistance and struggle Of the Southern.
1, can then only be effected by the prostra
ton Of the white race; and that would neces>
sa.ily engendcr the bitteIest feeling Of hos
tiIty between them and the Moth. But the
reverse would be the case between the blacks
Of the South and the people of the North
Owing their emancipation 10 them, they
would regard them as friends, guardians and
patrons, and centre, accordingly, all their
sympathy in them, The people of the North
would not fail 10 reciprocate and to favor
them, instead of the whites. Under the in
huence of such feelings, and impellcd by ia
naticism and love Of power, they would not
stop at emancipation. Another step would
be taken--to raise them to a political and
social equality with their former owners, by
giving them the right Of voting and holding
public Offices under the Federal Government.
We see the first step towards it in the bill
already alluded to-to vest the free blacks
and slaves with the right 10 vote on the ques>
ton of emancipation in this District But
when once raised to an equality, they would
become the fast political associates of the
North, acting and voting with them or all
questions, and by this political union between
them holding the white race at the South in
complete subIeclon. The blacks, and profit
gate whites that might unite with them, would
become the principal recipients Of federal
offices and patronage, and would. in consc,
hn ro;coh ohnra bo ,uh;,ne "a
South in the political and social scale. We
would, in word, change conditions with
them-a degradation greater than has ever
yet fallen 20 the lot Of a ice and enlightened
peo Pile, and one from which we could not
escape, should emancipation take place,
(Which it certainly will if not prevented,)
but by fleeing the homes Of ourselves and
ancestors, and by abandoning our country, to
our former slaves, 10 become the permanent
abode Of disorder, anarchy, poverty, misery
| and wretchednes
With such prospect before US, the gra |is!; sss5
the attention ofa people is presented for your
consideration. What is 10 be done 10 pre-
vent it? II is a question belonging 10 you to
decide. All VIC propose is, 10 give you our
opinion.
We then are Of the opinion that the first
and indlsPensa BILE step, without which no.
thing can be done, and with which every
thing may be. is to be united among your
selves, on this gren' and most vital question.
The want Of union and concert in reference
10 il has brought the South, the Union, and
our systcm of Government, TO their present
perilous condition. Instead Of pIa cling it
| hay oil o,bo h. 10
nate, not only to mere questions Of policy,
but 10 the preservation Of party ties and en-
suring Of party success. As high as we hold
due respect for these, VIC hold them subor>
dina,e to that and other questions involving
your safety and happiness. Until they arc
so held by the South, the North will not be-
lieve that you are in earnest in opposition
to their cncroa chmcn,s, and they will con-
tinue 10 follow, one after another, until The
work Of abolition is finished. To convince
them that you are, you must prove by your
acts that You hold all other questions subor.
dina.e 10 it. If you become united, and
prove yourselves in earnest, the North will
be brought 10 pause, and 10 calculation
of consequences; and that may lead 10
change of measures, and the ado ption of a
SOu.sC VI pO'iSy, t'iat ana peace
ably terminate this long conflict between the
two sections. Ifit should not, nothing would
remain for you bat 10 stand up immoyebly in
defence of rights. involving your all-your
property, prosperity, equality, liberty, and
safety.
As the assaled. you would stand justified
by all laws, human and divine, in repelIing
bow so dangerous, without looking 10 conse-
quences, and te resort 10 all means necessary
Tor that purpose. Your assailants, and not
you, would be responsible for consequences.
Entertaining these opinions, we earnestly
entreat you TO be united, and foi that purpose
adopt all necessary measures. Beyond this,
VIC think i. would not be proper TO go at
present.
We hope, if you should unite with any
thing like unan:mity, it may of itself apply
remedy 10 this deep seated and dangerous
disease; but if such should NOT be the case,
the time will then havo come for you 10 de-
eide what caursc 10 adopt.
(Signed)
Or VIRGlNlA.-J. NJ. Mason, R. M. T.
Hunter, T. Atkinson, Tho. II. Bayly, r. l..
7. Bcalc, II. Bedinger, T. S. Bocock, r. X.