Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-10

your public men; your Senators, your he
representatives., your members of the Legisa
ture, your public functionaries, you your
selves, the people all, all are responsible.
The sentiment is unanimous that South
Carolina must never submit to the past agg
gressions of the General Government. Now
whatever signifcation may be attached to the
terms "submission and resistance else
where, l presume they are we'll defined i
South Carolina. BY "resistance," we &c
not mean mere protest and remonstance, bui
something actual, practical, organized, forci
BILE, if force be made necessary for defence
Such has always been the construction pla
ced by this State on the celebrated resolu
tions of Kentucky and Virginia. When
therefore, it is said tha. S. Carolina must never
submit, understand all those who hold this
language, to mean that the State shall, within
{, reasonable time, adopt some such practical
efficient and decisive mode of resistance, as
will Justify the use of all her rights and re-
sources, to relieve herself from the injuries
which have heretofore been inflicted upon her
Such is the seed we have sown. Are We
prepared to eat the fruit which it offers to our
lips!
Mr. President, this is not the commence
ment of new controversy. We arc in the
midst of our old and long-pending contest,
and our ground has already been taken. We
must advance. We are advancing. We cam
not close our eyes to the past. What has
been done cannot be undone. The State,
under the guidance and direction of her con-
stituted authorities, has already taken the
initiative, and entered onimportant measures:
A Convention of the people has been ordered
and elected, and large supplies have been de-
manded and are in the course of expenditure.
Although have heard objections made to
the course of our Legislature on these sub
iects, vet it has never been rcpudiatcd by the
people. That most delicate power which ev-
cry faithful representative exercises with a
sparing hand-the taxing power-was freely
exercised and as freely responded to by an
earnest and intelligent people, who well un-
derstood for what purposes their money was
demanded. It is now therefore too late, L
repeat, to rctrace the past. What has been
done has deliberately been done-and delib-
erately confirmed. Tho people have deter
mined to put the State upon her sovereignty
in Convention assembled, and to furnish her
with the means of maintaining and dctc!'etmg
her final Judgment. Into the hands Of that
august tribunal the honor, the liberty, and the
safety of the State have been committed, and
by its decision all must be prepared to abide.
Such, then, are the undisguised sentiments
and purposes of the people of South Caroll-
ma, and such the present attitude OF the State
before the world.
Thus far have we advanced with almost
perfect unanimity. Thus far have events
been allowed to progress without scarcely
any organized opposition.
For the present position of the State then
we are all responsible. No appeal has been
taken, and all are concluded by the past
From this high position therefore, and from
no other, we must now survey the whole field
before us, and decide whatthe future demands
of us which shall be in harmony and consis-
tency with the present and the past.
Shall the next act in the drama sustain the
unity of the preceding ones!
In this deeply interesting conjuncture OF
our public affairs we find ourselves assembled
this day, and for the first time our counsels are
dividcd-divided too on the gravest issue
which can be presented for our consideration.
TO me this division is 4 source of profound
regret. At the very threshold, find myself
called upon to differ from those with whom /
have been associated all my life, and whose
judgment and opinions highly respect.
Foremost, among these stands, your Sc
nior Senator Judge Butler)-whosc stern
devotion to the interest and honor of South
Carolina, have had recent occasion to wit
ness and admire. Yes, Mr.. President, it has
been my lot, day after day, to stand upon the
floor of the Senate Chamber during that
memorable contest, whose history is familiar
to you all, and to observe the conduct of that
Senator, when after the death Of your great
Statesman, he had single-handcd and alone to
contend, in your name, for the cause Of "truth,
Justice, and the Constitution" Few, Sir, at
distance from the scene can fully under
stand and appreciate the cares, the anxieties,
the heavy responsibilities Of a situation ilikc
this to ono of his proud spirit and pure III
teeritv. Well and nobly did he discharge
his high trust, and richly has he meried your
confidence and affection. But although it is
painful to differ from one so much honor
and esteem, must initiate his example,
and follow my own convictions Of duty. !
am consoled too by the reflection, that though
we dirergc at this point we will soon come
together again, and that when the State de-
cides between us, we will cordially unite in
carrying out her decision.
Our discussions thus far have brought us
to the consideration of two leading measures
both protesting to have the same end in view.
Before entering on the consideration of these
measures, allow me to say that understand
it to be the general judgment of this assem-
bly, that the Legislature, at its next regular
session, should appoint time for the meet.
ing of the constitutional Convention which
was elected in February last under its direc'
ton. No one that am aware of propose;
that the Legislature should decline this
Office. AS the term of service Of the present
Legislature will expire on the second Mon
day in October, 1852, presume, as matter
IF course, that the meeting of the Conren
ton will be fixed at some period anterior tt
that day. Assuming then that the Conven
ton will be in session sometime between th'
lst January and the lst October, 1852, th'
measures for it's consideration may be stated
thus: ;,
First. Shall South Carolina abandon tn
preparation for resistance, which she has thu
far made separately and on her own respon
sibiity without promise of cooperation from
any State, and declining to carry on any fur
ther measures of that sort, announce to tn
other Southern States her determination no
to secedc alone, but to wait until give
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