Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-08-07
VIM Divide Before Our Time.


An old and distinguished citizen, who
stands on the cooperation platform, and
who desires to sec a Southern Confed-
cracy, in Il conversation recently threw
out the suggestion contained in the above
caption. And it is one worthy Of those
who advocate united action with somuch
zeal, and who are using their most siren.
uoas efforts to create a party, composed
of all who resist separate State. action.
They cannot, if they would, exclude
from their ranks the few Union men who
may be in orr State, and they will have
to be visilant to keep them out of the
leadership. They have been warned Of
this danger frequently; if they court it,
OH them must rest the responsibility Of
its consequence. But to the idea above.
Insane and reckless as they may deem
those who advocate State secession,
co-opcrationists cannot deny to the men
they oppose an earnest desire TO secure
tho same end they consider indispcn-
sable And here, wc judge, is the sole
difference between hones! CO. -opcrationists
and State action men-.hc former regard
ing n united movement OF tic South in-
dispcns&1lc; the latter, on The most I'll.
ticnai and common sense grounds, be-
licying that cooperation must follow
State secession, as certainly rs effect fcl.
lows cause. And here let us ask which
position is most in accordance with all
the truths of history Or the teachings OF
experience? Which course of the two,
in view of the present situation of affairs,
is most likel y to produce the desired re-
suit. So long as a direct issue, made in
defence of Southern Institutions, is held
in abeyance, SO long will other issues
be most cncrgetically pressed Oh the poo.
pie Of the Southern States, aud to the
same extent they will lose sight Of that
which is far above all others in magni-
tade anu in it's results. Federal office
seekers, candidates for Congress, and the
host of party camp followers, who ex-
pcct and look for nothing higher than the
petty Offices in the gift Of the govern
ment, will all diligently work for the
Union and for the nationality Of their
respective parties. Hear lies the dan
ger of waiting foE.nnited action. Bnt;
Ithe;issne once made gnd tthhatEigll llt which:
the South c.ings to aud federalists deny,
practically tested, the Southern States
mHs! taac si'cs either for or against it.
South Carolina will exercise it for the
salvation of her domestic institutions;
and when resisted and attempted to be
put down by force, the single choice left
to the other slavc-hol,ling States will be
to declare either IS allies for the central
power, which seeks to crush an effort
made in defence of slavery, or to stand
by that institution at all hazards.
Docs any man believe they will abandon
that institution, or tie doctrine which is
now its only protection.
We believe that there arc many sincere
resistance men who now oppose scccs-
sion, and to them we would put the above
question. Why divide before it i; ncces
sary? Those called madcaps, hotspurs,
and fre-catcrs b. submissionists else.
where, ard who arc tauntcd pretty much
in the same strain by some sclibhlcr at
home, all desire cooperation, and zeal,
ousIy work for it, Have we already be-
come so estrangcd from each other as
not 10 lie able to work together in unity
and harmony until we find our labor is
in vain! Surely not. 1t can do no harm,
and must do good 10 ii! engaged in the
work, to have confidence in tine honesty
and patriotism Of each other, and TO be-
lievc that resistance men of al! shades Of
opinion have nothing in view but the abol-
ishing OF the government that opprcsses
them and the establishment Of another
and better. Such Il course wonld strip
Tie real subm;ssioaista, who wear the
livery of cooperation to aid the accom-
plis!lmcIt OF Our degradation, of their
borrowed garments, and reveal them as
they arc to all Of u.s. Such course, too,
will do more to strengthen the hand, Of
our friends in our co-States of the South
than any other we could pursue. Every
consideration of State pride and patriot
ism appeals to Carolnians to work at
this crisis in union and harmony. Thus
working, wc verify believe that when the
linc Tor final action comes we will be
found a united people.
We trast tlla. these afnonitions may
not be iii vain Wo have no higher or
heller inducements to offer than those
which should be regarded by every nan
who loves his S'tate-wlich are the pre-
scrvation of his own rights and AND TIE
HONOR OF SoUrn CAROLINA. If these
considerations lail to arouse them to sUTy
it is hoping against hope that further and
future aggressions wil-Carolnian.
Ir Is we'll known fact that sweet
things spoil Tie teeth; hence the early
decay of ladies' teeth is accounted for
Causc: the sweetness Of their lips.
A friend at our elbow says that this
is not the case, for it is notorious that
those ladies who scold most arc sure to
lose their teeth first.
II woman knew their power and wish
ed to exert it they would always show
sweetness Of temper, for then they are
almost irresistible.