Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-24
,our constitutional Convention has not convened

our CONSTITUTIONAL Convention has not convened.
Who then has committed the State of South
Carolina to separate seccssionl Why SIR, a
voluntary association Of gcNtlemcn-an assccia-
ton containing men Of eminent worth, lncny Of
them my wnrmeSt personal friends both in and
out Of the District, from whom. know that can
at all times command any of the legitimate SER
vices Of friendship and who know that they can
rely on mine in return. But can it be pretended
that this Charleston Convention had the legal
right to commit any one but its own members.
From whence was its authority derived? Had
one man in ten in this room voice in the seIec-
ton of delegates! Why sir, at least one third
were appointed by one man-my excellent friend
the President Of the States Rights Association in
this District. In other Districts, the facts are
the same. The members of the Charleston Con-
vcntion 10 not themselves assume to be your
legal representatives. How then can it be said
that the State is committed TO ser a"ate secession
How committed to any particular course? How
committed at all, but to sustain the Constitutional
Convention. AS well might one of the Religious
ferent churchcs-pass resolutions, and call upon
the whole community to stand pledged to their
proceedings. For one am willing to abide by
the decision of the Constitutional Convention. /
have confidence in its intelligence and patriotism.
cannot believe that the members will 60 into it
rs automa:ons- labeled "scccssion." | believe
they will act the part OF statesmen-canvass the
whole ground, and that when they do act it will
be with the conviction tina: the course they pur-
sue will advance the honor and the interest of
South Carolina. That is at all events an authori-
tativc body, whose ordinances we are bound to
obey. have never objected to the convention !;
on the contrary hold that good faith to Missis-
sippi. required that it should be provided for.
She invited lis into the Nashville Convention and
we followed her, she provided for a State Con-
vcntion and we stepped pari passu with her. If
she proceeds am clear for following. If she
docs not, let us remain Us we are in prepared
attitude and await the ';chapter of accidents" If
deemed advisable, let lis commission and Pay
our ablcst men to visit our sister States and rea-
son with them. Circumstances have caused the
people of this State to receive better political
education than in other Southern States. Let
us endcavor to impart our information and in
spre them with our enthusiasm. Their hearts
are right on the question which agitates us, and
but for the tricks Of politicians their heads would
be also. Give them time and all will yet be
right. etthe people even in this State have
more time. The only matter connected with the
Constitutional Convention 10 which object, is
the prccpitate election of its members. think
the people never were prepared for so sudden an
election, and know many who now regret hav-
ing voted. | never could see the propricty Of
electing men so far in advance Of the time of
action.
VIC are told that It was the work Of thc-ee-
opcrationists in the Legislature. 1t does not
matter whose work it vast was wrong. There
is a feeling with the people that they have been
trickcd, and all the newspapers in the State,
great as is their power, cannot divest them of it.
l give no opinion upon this point and whether it
be so or not, or whether the secessionists or the
opposition have caused this suspicion, it is lanncn-
table feeling for any people to entertain Justice
to them requires that their deliberate judgments
should be known. 1t would be cruel injustice to
our delegates to the Convention, to deceive them
as to the real popular sentiment
1t is contrary to all usage for Legislature
which passes convention bill to be the same
to eonvoke the Convention. In England, under
the circumstances in which We arc now placed,
the Parliament would be prorogucd until the will
of the whole people was known. Have not our
people the right to demand suspension of ac-
ton by the Convention, until after the next gen.
cral election The precise sentiment Of a peo-
pic could thus be accurately asccrtained, which |
do not think is now satisfactorily understood
The "hot haste :" with which the delegates were
elected, and the small number of votes which
were po!lcd may seem to justify some in not sus-
tanning the action of the Convention. This would
certainly be a grevous error, yet it is one which
have reason to believe is not uncommon and
which is certainly worth little time to remove
and how can it be so thoroughly removed as by
keeping the State in her present potential attitude
until after the next General Elccton2 If this is
refused, those of us who distrust the feasblcness
Of the place Of redress, and prefer seeing the
bottom Of the abyss into which VIC are invited to
leap with our wives and children, lives and for
turcs are not unreasonable when we require the
scccssionists, TO prosc, beyond shadow of a
doubt that South Carolina when an independent
State is beyond contingency of collision with
either Of the great powers of the Garth, and that
she will be able TO sustan herself in the happen
ing of such an event. To prorc that secession
By South Carolina will superinduce secession by
other States To Prore that The strength Of our
national character or physical means will ensure
the delivery Of our fugitive slavcs-the protec-
ton Of our commcrcc--the enforcement of inter
national aw--thc safety of our citizens wherever
carried by lawful pursuits, and the honor of our
flag wherever it may wave. They must prone
that the establishment and organization of an
Army and Navy capable OF inspiring our people
with confidence and hope when threatened by a