Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-01
FOR THE ADyERTIsER.

its complete insertion, last week, prefer to
modify and abbreyiate the remaining portion.
Should Independence" think proper to
reply to what l have alread y written upon
the general question, then what had intend
cd further to have said upon it, will be, per-
mps, more opportune and forcible in a future
communication. At present, l design to
make few observations in reference to that
part of the article of independence" which
takes issue with me upon the following ques-
tion:-ahave our Representatives done more
than carry out the clearly implied wishes OF
large majority of each and every section OF
the District?" "lndependence" loses sight
of fairness, so far as to reply to this question
as though it were thus worded-"haye our
Representatives done more than obeyed the
express instructions of their Constituency"
Now, common sagacity will teach any one
that express instructions" and "clearly ian
piled ,oishes" are very different things. Had
| believed that our people looked 10 the call
of State Convention as the great object Of
the last session, should, Of course, have
used in my question, the former expression,
as being the stronger. But, knowing that
such was not the case, l used the latter, more
guarded expression, the truth of which can
be easily maintained. For although the par
ticular question of Convention was not
canvasscd, YET it is notorious that, at our pub
lie gatherings over the District, the warmcst
expressions in favor of the unflinehing resist
ancc of South Carolina to the wrongs of the
past, were always met with the most decided
applause. Although there was, then as noU,
heartfelt anxiety to obtain the cooperation
of our sister States, yet the almost universal
determination was that our State at least,
must stand to her arms" let others do as
they would. Although there was, then as
no'O, willingness even TO follow the lead OF
some other sister State, to secure united ac-
lion, yet no one had then dreamed of carrying
this compasance so far, MS to follow any
such lead, if it even looked towards acquies-
ccnce in the measures of CLAWS Compro-
mise. Undying hostility to these measures
was every where loudly proclaimed and un-
mistakeably sanctioned. The position, in
which South Carolina was placed by her po-
litical leaders md advisers, was perhaps
wise one, but it was certainly forced, unea-
sy and unnatural one. She was induced, by
considerations Of prudence. TO waive her indis-
putable right to the first rank in the great ac-
ton, and, purely to conciliate other States, or
rather to stimulate them to high and honor
able course, she declared herself ready to
fight under any banner that should first take
the field. Much of this assumed difidence
was intended to produce the desired effect in
Georgia. But the action of her Convention
clearly proved the futility Of the scheme ]
mention this merely to- show that our people
wefe, last summer, endcavoring to asspmer1
the semblance of waiting patiently the nc.
ton of some other slave State. And yet,
even under these restraining circumstances,
there were many and oft-repeated declarations
of their intention to resist the action Of
Congress, "at all hazards and TO the last cx-
tremity" l have before me, an edition of
the Advertiser for 1850, from which many
such sentiments can be gathered in the shape
of toasts and resolutions Mt public meetings.
But, lest I might be too prolix, abstain
from using them until they are demanded of
me. One thing is perfectly clear, that sub
mission, or if another phrase be preferred, ac-
quiesccnce in the late acts of Congress was
not contemplated in any portion of the Dis
trict, under any circumstances.
Well. our members 60 to Columbia, with
the reasonable and perfectly jus iiable con-
viction that Edgefeld is as determined upon
the great question of resistance rs any other
part of South Carolina-resistance, with
help, if possible, but resistance al all erents.
The Nashville Convention (of which e Inde-
pendence" speaks as a thing of such momenD
has met. in the meantime, and before our
Legislature adopts any course of proceeding,
is generally regarded as a failure. 1t proves
to be very little more, indeed, than Con-
vcntion of Delegates from Souili Carolina
and Mississippi. They agree upon South
ern Congress. In the latter State, Con-
vention is called to meet within year from
date, TO consider the grievances under which
she is laboring. In South Carolina, it is pre-
dicted upon reasonable grounds that the
Southern Congress must prove n failure.
The most active party. towards calling this
Congress, except South Carolina, has deter
mined upon Convention. South Carolina
seconds this move of the only
sister State that seems disposed to &C with
her her, heart and hand, by calling Conven-
ton of her sovereignty also, to consider the
question of direct and immediate resistance,
For doing this, it is said that our Representa-
tivts have exceeded the clearly implied wishes
of the people they represent. Exceeded
their wishes" by placing the State in posi-.
tion where she can, aohen the proper times ar
riues, act promptly and efficiently! "Ex-