Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-02
VOL. xyI.--NO. 81

pose-that now bind US to our Southern co
States, against their judgment, their advice
and wishes, must produce shock the force
of which | am wholly unable to estimate.
Such, Gentlemen, is a picture, thrown of
hurrledly and far from complete am sure,
which the contemplation of this State, in an
isolated condition, presents to my mind.
Such would, l think, be some Ito use your
language) "of the dangers and dificultiesn
that would probably "attend separate seces.
sion" -,
Very different, indeed, should consider
our case if we seeded only to enter such q
Southern Republic as think ought to be.
formed, and for which there are abundant
materials as well as adequate cause and mo-.
tive. | am by no means of opinion that even
IN that condition we should enter the miles
mum; that we should be free from danger:
and difficulty ] am willing, however, to
FISK 1t, believing perceive in such an organs
lzatlon, some sufficient relation between
cause and effect, some proper equality be-.
tween the power to depend and that which
attacks.
Whether the course recommended by the
Seceders be calculated to induce such con-
summation, have discussed in letter to
some friends in Darlington, recently pub
llshed IN the Southern STANDARD, need not
and cannot here repeat it. Lam an unbclieyer
in the efficacy of that scheme for any good,
and confess that what have learned through
the Newspapers, of events in Mississippi, i
am not encouraged to hope much for the
cause of cooperation by separate secession
on our part. The threat Of it here and y
secret design to favor itthere being. imputed,
seem to havo completely oyerthiown those,
IN that State, who were nearest to MS. fear
the same result in Georgia from the same
cause.
When ! hear a man say (being pressed to
the wall in argument) that the honor of the.
State requires US to be rccouciled even to the
process of determination I am apt to fcaf;s
that his brain is TOO much heated to afford
wise council, that he has forgotten the true,
question, is thinking, for the moment, rather
of d handsome obituary than of the solemn
duty now required of 8 true statesman;
which l apprehend to be, to tax his wit how
to devise a ,polity that shall give sufficient
security 20 our slave institution he dnes.
ton is, rs to con sttutting s: better gorefls
ment than we new hayes not sbouf dying iii
If : last; ditch. The duty of the OCCASION is,
tp shew;fhes wisdom that shall ssFsS aur peesss
Pie, not thai sUrt conlass Hat ssGk
immoiat iop, hen the cessiifY shaII feailly
occur that cinands the sacfifiee gof despair
ton have The opinion that the courage tos
e1ciSsiyefq afionr
class, Of any party, who promise most in
advance. AS to the honor Of the State, if any
body can find that the State has done or said
anything, directly or indirectly, from her own
mouth, or through that of duly authorized
agency, that at all cramps her in pursuing
any course which her true interest dictates,
that brings into collision her sentiment of
honor, and her free course of policy-such a
discovery will add something to my present
stock Of information. do not regard what
has been said by newspapers, or by any given
number Of individuals. or by any sort Of as
sociations, severally or in conjunction, as the
voice of the State of South Carolina. When
it shall be established that State should act
upon the scnsiblities, the passions and re-
sentiments that govern the quarrels of indi-
viduals, who have themselves only to account
to or to sacriice-when it shall appear that
the conduct of Sampson is fit example for
u community-why, then, if that community
have n power corresponding to his, and
revenge that shall equally prompt it, let them
seize the pillars Of the temple and crafty
that revenge by burrying in common ruin
themselves and their hostile scoffcrs. As yet
] would fain hope that our convention will
not be driven to look to the biography OF
Sampson for their model of imitation.
1t is reiterated, that the only alternative for
us is Separate Secession, or Submission, and
those who agree in opinion with me are very
kindly warned that we are on the brink OF
submission What do our eensors mean by
submission? Why, they propose themselves
to continue their submission for certain
time. They submit while movement is
made towards arming the State. They take
time to grid up the loins and resent the blow
they choose q period and mode. Are
those who prefer another time, and differ
cnt mode any more guilty Of submission than
they? What is it they mean to resist? The
Compromise measures, suppose. Will they
overthrow any one of them by their scheme
of resistance, except only that which was
shaped for our benefit? That is impossible
even though the State be left wholly intact
in her separation. The question is not one
of forciblc resistance, or of selfsacrifcc.
1t is, how shall we provide new guarantees
for our safety?
have already cndcavored to define what
is our true object, who are our enemies, their
modes of attack, and our grievances We.
want security. Nothing can give it short of
cardinal reformation in the conduct of peo-
pie and governments over whom We have no
control-or else another Government, strong
enough to answer the end, to be constructed
by those aggreivcd and endangered. Nothing
else will remedy our case. If Mr.. Calhoun
was right in saying, the Union could not be
destroyed in a day, or by single blow, but
only gradually and in process of time, !
think am equally so in saying, that it will
require more time 10 dissolve the present
Union, and reconstruct another. No good
Government tin this country at lcasD was
ever made among independent States, at
dash. 1t did not spring from the heads OF
statesmen (such at any rate rs our revolution
ary times produced) like Minerva from the
head of Jove, in full panoply, armed cap'a-pie.
What have said, gentlemen, will serve to
indicate to you the current and character of
my thoughts. ] aim at no more.
You have my concurrence and best wishes
for success in the cause that seems to engage
your interest 1t address the judgment more
than the passions. Your obe'nt servant,
t. ]. WETHERS:
To Messrs. ]. LANpRuM, DANIEL HOLLAND