Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-22

was defeated by what is now called the moderate
marty. and was supported by all the friends OF
. separte State resistance. Permit me to say, that
this same moderate party, though they refused
to make single move, except in the appointment
of Delepates to Southern Congress, which was
never to meet while the sun shone or rivers ran,
were the very warmest advocates IN the Iegsia-
ture of the increase of Taxes, for Military pur.'
poses. Their notions of taxation were extrava-
rnntly bold. They proposed, in that, way, to
prove to the world, that we were brave people,
and BY threats and bravado, to gain oil the honor
of a manly resistance, without mourning any Of
the hazards Of o decided plan of conduct. The
compromise too, under which the Bill was framed,
that finally provided for the election of Delegates
to State Convention, came matured from the
same quarter. Those who were determined to
resist, were compelled to accept it, or do nothing,
and cover their State with Disgrace And, per-
haps, am justified in saying, that 1t was the
best measure, that could have been adopted.
What less now, as honorable men. could your
Representatives have done. lfthey had not res
ponded to the action of Mississippi and Virginia,
they would have placed the State in the attitude
of base deserter from the standard of her friends
and You would have secuted them from your SER
vice, as the violators OF your confidence, and as
traitors to the honor of South, Carolina
The miserable cry you have lately heard about
the Peoples being forced into false position, by
the arts of your Legislators, in fixing the election
of Delegates at an early day, is beneath your
contempt. You arc indeed ignorant, as your
false friends have proclaimed-far too ignorant to
be freemen, if you admit, as has been asserted,
by those who are now soothing you, with gentle
strokes, that you were unacquinted with the OBJ
iects of the election, which was held on the I'd
Monday of February last. You had been living
in EdreGcld District. You could read plain
print, or your neighbor could do it for you, and
Congress had just begun to perfect system OF
acts, qualified and aimed to enslavey you. Under
such state of affairs, men that you confidcd in,
had gone from your midst to represent you in the
Legislature Their acts and votes, and speeches
were daily spread before the country, in the news
papers. The discussion on our relations with the
General Government was long, well sustained,
and intensely interesting. Atlcngth, on the goth
day of December, an Act is passed, ordaining
that a Convention of the People of S. Carolina
shall assemble in the town of Columbia, F." for the
purpose" as the act expressly declares, I" in the
first place, of taking into consideration, the pro-
cecdinrs and recommendations Of Congress of
the slave holding States, if the same shall meet
and be held; and for the further purpose OF tax
ing into consideration the general welfare of this
State, in view of her relations to the laws and
government of the United States, and thereupon.
TO take care that the Commonwealth of South
Carolina shall suffer no detriment."
AS was remarked the election of Delegates
was fixed on the ID Monday Of the February then
next, about six weeks from the enactment OF the
BILL and the Act was Immediately heralded to the
country on the lightning wings of the Press, and
the Telegraph, and by the mouths Of cannon
So soon as your members returned from Colum-
bia, they took the first occasion to explain, under
their own hands, the objects Of the Bill, and to
exhort YOU to give your devoted attention to 1t
until after the election. Candidates were called
out, and induced to publish their views, in regard
to the momentous question they would be COM
PEELED to decide Public meetings were sum-
moncd, and the Convention Act was fully cx-
planned by those who aided in devsing 1t. All
this was done previously to the election. Yet,
some of those who now assume to enlighten and
direct you would persuade us, that on the day OF
election, you were entirely uniformed OF the
mighty issues you were beginning to decide. IL
you were, in truth, so utterly indifferent to your
vital interests, as these men would represent you,
you are likely to live slaves, and die So If that
is truly your condition of gross darkness and cal
loHsncss, it will require NO fo~ery syecphant up
peals to entice you to be hewers OF wood, ana |
drawers of water" Your fate is already sealed,
and is as fixed as the eternal duries OF Heaven.
would speak toyou, my friends, with all the re-
spect / feel for your characters and persons; but
you should frown down the men who would dare
persuade you, that you are incapable OF self-go-
vernmeht -.
II was heyer intended by any one, that the |
-. &c Tlnla do.
signed to take from the People the control of the
destiny Of South Carolina That day was ap-
pointed in order that the great questions for deci-
sion. and the great causes of complaint might
lose none Of the interest they excited and in order
that the State might have Convention ready or
ganized, to take advantage Of any fortunate con-
tingency that might happen, in the progress of
the events that are now transpirng Why, 1t
should be Judged most conducive to the interest
and safety of South Carolina, and TO the success
of the grea: enterprise of her heart, to wait two
years for the corporation Of her sisters, accord
ing to the provisions of that Bill it is entirely con-
sistent and proper for her to do so. The Legis-
lature may not call the Convention together until
the latter part of the next year, and then the Con-
vcntion, if it deems it expedient, may, with the
utmost propre.y, postpone its final action for II
months more If you really purpose to act in
defence of your property and honor, the wisdom
of man could not have placed you in more hap
py situation than that in which you now tlnd
yourselves.
Ifyou should disagree. in your sentiments, with
any Of your Delegates elect to the Convention,
(for their opinions are all known to the publle,)
you have it perfectly in your power to meet IN
primary assemblies, and instruct them to resign
No man of honor will disobey such instruction
Otherwise; you will be justly held responsible Tor
their acts.
Fellow-c citizens, have thus spoken to you, as
have felt, without hattery or deception. z hen
the day of trial comes, feel kno,0, that no
people that were ever fashioned by the hands of
the Creator. will stand more squarely up to their
duties, or will sustain with more stubborn reso-
luton, The spotlcss honor of their loved Carolina.
trust in God, that your judgments may be en-
lightned by proper study, and your passions con-
trolled by wisdom. E1ay you exhibit, in your
conduct, and exemplify in the fierce conflicts you
may meet, the high spirit of better times and bet
ter men-the moderation, the. rhagnanTmity, and
the courage Of one of your old heroic fathers-a
most chivalrous warrior, and wise legislator
| WILLIAM BUrLER,-and of one of the purest,
most gifted, and most eloquent statesmen that
ever honored his State and country-GEoRGE
McDUrrIE. TIMOLEON.
South Carolina.
THE Southern Press speaking of the aci