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

be recalled to mind that this insulted State, had
neuer injured single sister, while member OF the
Confederacy-had neucr violated the Constitution
of the Confederacy-had neper failed to do her
part with alacrity and zeal, in sustaining the Flag
of the Confederacy-and, only ,Uhen compelled By
griepous ,orongs, had left the Confederacy, and
asserted her original and uncompromtted sovereign.
ty. We think that such reflections might cause a
very large number of the people of the South at
least to pause and reconsider the question In its
true light. Others may think differently. Let
Reason decide between us.
BUTT may be said, that sagacious scheme can
be devised, by which the command of South Car
olina can be attained without the appearance Of
war. What is it! A floating custom-house out
side the bar, to intercept and collect duties on
cargoes coming into our port. Does its being loca
ted on the high seas, do away with the iegality Of
the act! The illegality consists in defining and
exacting duties which it is rightfuy ours to define
and exact. What if this were done one hundred
miles from shore! 1t does not make the transac-
ton one whit less unjust 1t is gross violation of
international law. But this floating custom-house,
alone and unasssted by gun-ships, would Of course
be the merest child's play. Would it be attempted
without some such support, either from vessels or
forts! Every one will say, no. Here then is
powder and lead again. Our enemies must use
trade and commerce would go on checringly, with
only the additional excitement of an occasional
race between light trader, and clumsy, brist-
ling man-of-war. View this matter in every light,
and ask yourselves, can it be other than war, and
war commenced by Federal guns.
What then is the true result, into which these
several supposed modes of proceeding against us
resolve themselves! Is it not an act of war, which
must either be sustained by declaration of war
coming from Congress, or disavowed by that body
The question of war upon South Carolina, must,
as a consequence of either of the courses prophe-
sled, come up and be discussed in the Federal
Legislature, and that too at an early period of the
contest. What then is the naked and only issue,
that can arise between Congress and South Caro-
lima, in case Of interference by the former! We
think it is the issue Of war or peace. Our minds
will then revert to the enquiry, is it probable that
the American States will wage war upon South
Carolina! We should remember that this, if &c.
complished, would be done in defiance of Right
and Justice-in defiance of Reason and Expedi.
ency-in defiance of the doubts and scrupes of the
good and generous at the North-in defiance of
almost the entire public opinion of the South-in
defiance Of the great probability of throwing
a vast number of American citizens, into the &c.
tive support of our cause, and of enlistng for us
the sympathy, the "moral aid and comfort" at
least, of other Governments, and lastly, in def
ance Of the grand difficulty of vanqushing hun,
dred thousand brave men, contending for Justice,
and their family altars. Is it not rational ex-
pectation thata Government, hampered and stag
gercd by these considerations, would be imbecile
and inefficient for any purpose of war upon South
Carolina! We are constrained to think that it is
Others may differ from us. Let calm reflection be
invoked in deciding this question of probabilities.
The last supposed result, and one which is said
to have the sanction and support, of many Of our
opponents in the present Government, is that South
Carolina will be permitted ,"s.""-'~