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


and respect towards her sister States, and is
even now doing so by inviting them to meet
her in Southern Congress,
The truth is, that South Carolina is less
responsible for the present agitation than al
most any other Southern State. Virginia.
Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama were GER
tainly in advance of her. If then she now
appears to be in advance Of others, it IS the
result of causes for which sheis not respon-
sible. But, freely admit, that if she retires
from her present position she should always
in future preserve the dignity of silence
She must now act or forever after hold her
peace"
Again, it is said, that the. cause Of disunion
is making progress, and we ought to be sat
isfed with its present advance and wait for
further developments-th few years ago
there was no disunion party in South Carroll
ma, whilst now there is scarcely any other.-
To this, reply, that if it is meant to be
said that our friends in the other States have
skindled their fires at our altars," shall we
now abandon our position and expect them
to advance? Some of them are now telling
us: "wc want q measure to unite us, we arc
beating the empty air, We speak to the idle
winds" Let us then give them oil for their
lamps. We have no. other issue to tender
but secession; it is the last arrow in our
euiver, it is the only alternative to submission.
Mr.. President, state of high excitement
is not natural condition either in men or
nations. We must not expect to keep up
this agitation always. The people become
wearied. w;thlong continued and tsuitless eX-
ertions; they become fatigued into compli-
-ance, and yield struggle that holds out no
hope of immediate victory. This, sir, is our
danger. Let us beware how we lose our op-
portunity.
Another objection urged against us, is,
that our friends in Congress from the other
Southern States, have not counseled seces-
sion, and am appealed to by my friend and
colleague (NIr. ORR to say if this is not the
case. answer frankly it is, so far rs nv in
tercourse extends. But at the same time
must be permitted to say, that am inclined
to think these very gentlemen, who are wor-
thy of all our admiration and esteem, would
Be very apt to make the most uncompromi-
sing secessionists if they were, as l wish with
all my heart they were, citizens of South
Carolina. In all questions of this kind in
yolving fundamental changes of government,
we generally find that the people are ahead
of their Representatives, and it is wise and
proper that they should be so. In the ordi-
nary administration of public aff:lirs, the Re-
preventative may rightfully assume all re-
sponsibility-but the responsibility of alter
ing their form of government belongs to the
people and cannot be delegated. Hence we
frequently hear the remark, even in our own
State, that the representatives are behind the
people on the question Of disunion. Whilst
our friends in Congress, therefore, very prop
erly declined to counsel a measure in regard
to which they had no authority to commit
their constituents, know that they will never
be found in the ranks of those who will de-
nounce South Carolina if she secedes, but
that in them we will always find men whom
we will delight to honor.
Lastly, it is urged that secession will be
met by coercion and its consequent difficult
ties. Now, before proceeding to consider
this objection, / must be permitted to say
that that if if were eeHtsHding for the mere trl-
umph of a forensic discussion, should hold
our friends precluded from bringing into the
argument any Of the dangers or sacrifices of
secession, because the highest authority
amongst them, one for whom we all feel a
common veneration (Judge Cheves) whilst
opposing this measure on other grounds,
expressly says that "no dangers and no sac
rifces can be too great in such a cause
But am seeking mo such triumph. The
subject forbids it-I am actuated, trust, by
higher purpose. I will proceed then to
consider this objection. 1t opens | admit 4
most important inquiry.
The aspect in which this branch of the
subject presents itself to my mind has al
ways been this: VIII the Administration,
with the powers they now possess, under
take, on their responsibility, to oppose the
secession of South Carolina in any way; or,
supposing Congress to be in session, will
they ask for authority to coerce us, and for
an increase of power for that purpose? Now
the answers to these questions must OF course
by wholly conjectural. doubt very mnch
il the Cabinet itself is prepared TO answer
them without qualification. Events must
control the judgements and the actions Of all
men. But still it is wise and proper, with
the lights before us, to endeavor to ascertain
what are tine probabilities that be in our path.
No issue would ever be brought to an arbi-
trament, if each party waited to know, with
certainty, the plan of his adversary's ques-
ton. Whether the Administration may think
It possesses the right and the power to CO.
cree 4 seeding State or not, l cannot pre-
tend to say. We all know it did not think
that it had sufficient power to coerce Bos-
ton mob, and asked for more, but did not
obtain it. Now, / do not intend to speak in
terms of disrespect of the Administration, or
to excite unfounded prejudiccs. Our cause
Is not to be strengthened by throwing dirt at
any one.. 1t spurns the aid of such missiles.
Let them Be used by those who have taste
for them. But in speaking Of those who
now wicld the power Of this Government,
and their friends, we must speak Of them ac-
cording to their known opinions, principles
and conduct. The school of politicians, to
which tho Administration belongs, is the
school of consolidationists. Its most promi-
nent members are thoroughly anti-slavery in
their feelings, their principles and thicr policy
The President believes that Congress has the
power not only to abolish slavery in the Dis.
trict of Columbia, but also the slave trade be.
tween the States, and that this power ought
to be exercised, at what he calls proper
time. His opinions are on record and vii
be found to be extreme on this subject. Mr.
Webster believes slavery to be an evil, ane
sregrets exceedingly that it exists in the
Southern States;" and whilst he admits thai
Congress has no power to act upon it there
L.