Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-06
He believed it would be we'll to make an

He believed it would be well to make an
effort to obtain the cooperation Of our South
crn sisters. If this could not be done, then,
OF course, We must seccde alone; for We are
stepped TO the lips in pledges to take this line
of action. If assistance be denied to us,
We may sufler-we may be overwhelmed, (al-
though this is remote possibility but,
whatever may bcfalI US, We must advance
steadily and boldly.
Col HAMMOND (bcing called out said it
was with much dilideucc he arose, but he
felt it his duty to respond. lie was no speak.
cr,-had come to the meeting without pre-
mcditating any particular views or preparing
any set phrases for the OCCASION lie con-
fessed he had no thought of being elected
he was not known-had never canvasscd the
District and was doubtful up to the last half
hour whether or not to decline. But, when
now compelled to make decision, he felt that
this was like call to arms. He was bound
to his State by many strong ties, civil and
military, and when her bugle called to battle.
he desired to be in the foremost phalanx.
lie believed the true question to be the
broad one, shall South Carolina sccede with
out counting upon any certain aid? He did
not doubt that abundant aid, would in truth,
be at hand. liz knew from good authority
that even onc-half of Georgia would die by
South Carolina. But laying this considera-
ton aside, lie thought that the Convention,
when it did meet, should declare for scces-
sion. The reputation of the State demanded
it. That reputation could only be increased
by advancing it to higher niche.
Major HOLMES, was for Southern Con-
gress frst-then for any course that would
lead at once to Equality or Independence"
Capt. HARRISON was convinced that the
people were right in demanding the opinions
of every man before them. He said he was
a South Carolinian in every way-hc had
thought, by his own fre-side, upon the dan
ger that surrounds us, and when he saw, that
by quiet submission he would be instrumen-
tai in bcqueathing to his children the hateful
lot of slaves, he was ready for immediate se-
ccssion-or even stronger course, if any
such be feasible.
Mr.. SHEPPARD expressed his sense Of
gratitude to those who were go kind to him
and confident in him, as to nominate him for
this high position. He felt that the South
was an over-match for the North in every
way. lie was for secession alone as last
resort.
Mr.. HAMMOND, embraced the opportunity
to say for Col. PIcxENs, (who was abscnt)
that he (Col. P) pronounced the conclusions
drawn by others from the article, Z" "Argcrnon
Sydney" not conformablc to his own un-
dcrstanding of those yiews-that he was dis
tinctly for separate State action, when re-
licrcd from the pledges Of the Nashville Con-
vention.
Mr.. CAgw1LE had not sought or desired the
post for which his friends irsd named hun
but he did not wish to appear desirons of
shirking its responsibility by declining. A.
ter South Carolina had used proper exertions
to procure Southern cooperation, he was for
action.
Col. BouKsIGnr had replied through the
Advertiser. lie would now only repeat, that
he was first for the establishment of South
crn Confederacy, and if this were not prac.
ticable, he was then for single State action.
Major WATsoS was for Southern Con-
gress, and would only resort to State action
rs last hope.
Dr., LAKE had already expressed his views
in the dictrict paper. lie would desire to
secure combination among the Southern
States; but, if this could not be done, he
was also for determined resistance by South
Carolina alone.
DR.. READY was distinctly for separation
alone, if no other State would join us. lie
regarded the side Of secession as the side Of
salvation,-thc side of submission. the sido
of slavery. If South Carolina failed, all
hope was gonc-if she acted, all was safe.
All the Candidates present having been
heard, it was resolved, on motion Of Mr.. AD-
OLSON, that the proceeding of the meeting bo
published in the Advertiser, and then, on mo-
ton Of Mr.. ABSEY, the meeting adjourned, to
meet again on next sale-day.
N. L. GRIFFIN, CHAIRMAN.
A. SIMKlNS, SEcERFARY.