Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-04-17
FOR THE ADVERTISER.

Mr. Editor In your editorial reference
to the dignifcd article which appeared in
your paper of the Sd inst, signed "DEcIs1os
OF $780," you assume that every man who
does not concur with that writer in erery
point touched by his questions, is a "Sub-
missionist" say you have so assumed, for
you use the word "Submissionist," in con-
nection with reply, and you direct its appli-
cation by expressing your confidence in the
ability of your new correspondent to redeem
the glove which he has thrown down. The
epihet is harsh in itself, its application unjust
and its effect calculated to weaken the very
position you so zealously and ably advocate.
As the privilege of ancient friendship, allow
me to recommend 20 your consideration the
following sentiment of Proyerhial Philosophy
-" hear with charitable heart the reasons of
an honest judgement,
For thou also hast errcd. and knowcst not when
thou art most right;
Nor whether to-morrow's wisdom may not prove
thee simple to-day"
If l know my own heart, no man in the
State holds more sacredly dear, the interests,
the welfare and the honor of South Carolina,
than myself, and am ready and willing to
shoulder my musket in her defence whenever
she makes the summons, and for whatever
cause-without question or doubt. And yet
am one of the many in this District, who
are opposed to the secession of the State
of South Carolina alone, certainly, before the
adjournment Of the next Congress. In using
the word opposed, do not mean that | Am
hostile to the measure, but that l deem it un-
wise, impnltic and incypcdient
lam opposed then. to secession per Sc. at
this time-Not because 1--WE have endured
less from the government at Washington.
than did the American Colonies before they
rebeled"
Not because "the stamp act was less OPP
prcssive or in principle one thousandth part
so destructive OF our rights, as the measures
of the so called Compromise bills
Not because we have II ray of hope of pro-
tecting justice from the Federal Congress or
the conservative party at the Norih-nor be-
cause we doubt or deny the right of seecs-
sion by a sovereign State, or that we object
to the ultimate exercise of that right.
But because it is right of which we can
not be divested, one which is always at COM
mand-a right which should not be unwiscly
or lightly used, and one which has powerand
effect in precise proportion to the moderation
and forbearance incident 10 it. USE.
Because we have no re: san .'to expect
aught but continued encroarIment upon our
rights by the men Of The North" but that in
their madness they will shortly infct some
other blow upon our institutions under the
authority of Congress, or commit some out
rage by States, so signnlly atrocious, as will
kindle a blaze of Indignation from the Chcsa-
peakc to the Rio Grandc and cause the slave
owners at the South to rise up as an armed
man, with the physical capacity to retain
what we may take, to invite alliances and to
enforce indemnity for the past as well as Sc
curity for the future.
And of this result we have every assurance
in the history of abolition, in daily occurren-
ces Mt the North and in the fact, that the i'll
terests of the slaveholding States arc the
same. Several of the Northern States hnre
practically nulfcd the Fugitive slave law al
ready. Many of their Legislatures have in
structed their Senators to effect its repeal
The question Of its repeal has been test in
all their recent elections and the repeating