Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-23
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EDGEFIELD, s. G..
THURSDAY, JANUARY 90, 1851.
TO THE PATRONS OF THE ADVERTISER.

TO THE PATRONS OF THE ADVERTISER.
THE undersigned must introduce himself
to his readers with Il candid confession. He
has scarcely ever, since the days of his collie
giate troubles, pondercd so long upon the
! commencement of an article as the one he
now indies. The cause Of this hesitation
has been two-fold, first, the novelty of his
present position, secondly, the strong desire,
common to most editorial novitiates, Of" put
ting the best foot foremost" ut the begin
ming. The ratings of the sgoose quill fra
ternity" asainst the hardships of their lot
have been to him hitherto rather Il source Of
amusement and ;!lc "qui fit Mrcenas," of
Horace has been frequently called to mind as
being especially applicable TO their case. But
he now acknowledges his error and forthwith
enters his recantation. For i.e.c ct the very
outset, he realiscs the disparity C. their ad-
vantages.
The orator and his topic, for instance, a-c
usually introduced ospnblic attention b.
some graceful, explanatory prelude from some
second person. The preacher has ample pre-
liminaries, beside a stated text upon which
to raise his superstrueture. The barrister's
debut is preceded by the Introductory evi-
dencc which brings him gently on the tapis,
at the same time fixing in his mind the main
points. of his argument. All haYe their,
"known numbers as the algebras have it,
though, it may be added, not few fail to
reach the alast expression The editor
alone, in the words of western cloquencc,
must "launch his fragile barquc upon the
billows,' without pilot to assist him in
clearing the port. Be it so. The under
signed, has, at least, taken the initiatory step
-the narrows arc passed and "we're atioat."
whether for shipwreck or prosperous gales
remains 10 be tested.
As TO the future conduct of the AdrertjScr
in its several departments, It is preferable to
make no special promises; its patrons will
doubtless be satisfied with the general one
of continued eyertion to please them.
In politics, the paper will be, as it has been,
purely South-Carolinian i'll every feature.
The undersigned has seldom found it ncces-
sary to 60 beyond our own State and States
men, for the main articles Of his political
creed. Aud first among his authorities stand
the teachings of the immortal CALHOUN.
While it may be admitted that in some few
instances this great man slightly swcrved
from the fixed principles Of his political code,
it must be acknowledged that no other genius
of the age has thrown its light with such
condensed power upon the true character of
our government and of the federal consti-
tuition.
Scarcely second in their influence upon his
opinions, (altnough much moro limited as TO
the questions cmbraccD the undersigned feels
and admits 10 have been the matchlcss in
tcgrity and trunsccndant ability Of him
t. Who rode sublime,
ofhim, who in better days, nobly steamed the
tide of Northern aggression and with lnas-
ter's hand tore aside the veil that concealed
its hideous deformity. Many will anticipate
the name of GEORGE McDUFEIE. BY thus
particuiarizing, tile Undersigned means not
10 imply that he "pins his faith to the sleeve"
Of any individual, nor does he intend being
invidious in his selection. lie dcsignates
those distinguished names, because they are
peculiarly the property of his native district,
inasmuch as she gave them their first impetus,
and because they arc, at the same time, the
embodiment of all that he holds to be 'purc
and lovely and Of good report in American
politics. Ii this be infatuation, he confcsscs
his blindness. For the doctrines they Illus
trated have agrown with his growth" and
can never be eradicatcd.
In reference 10 the present emergency of
our beloved South the undersigned is ready
to co as fur as tic i.rti.est in maintaining our
every right as free citizens of free, sovereign
and Independent STATS. lie believes that
the only alternative left Us is political degra-
d ton or speedy and unf;;,s-ing resistance.
But of this hereafter.
As Introductory remarks for ones self ne
ccssarily SAVIOR rather strongly of cs;,tisn,
the undersigned concludes by bcspeakin.;; ;:'e
kind indulgence of his readers until his arn-
chair and port folio shall have become more
familiar circumstances.
ARTHUR SI1lkINS.