Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-29

those who in interest are, in feelings, should
be her friends.
make the broad remark, that there is moi
a public man in South Carolina, sensible OF
responsible trust. and foreseeing the inevi.
table consequences of separate secession, that
would put the State on the trial of that ex-
pertinent, if the act were to operate exclusive
ly on the State itself. such an act would not
only cut off our commerce, but would place
it in the hands of our rivals. In assuming
such an attitude, it would be the duty of the
State TO make arrangements for the manage
ment of her rights abroad. Her pride would
revolt at sending forth her flag, without some
navy 10 project it, and without ministers and
consu!s to represent her rights, and protect
her interests abroad. No nation can RELY on
iorbearance Of others, when there may be a
collision of interests, or temptation for vio-
lation. At any rate, would not allow the
Palmetto Flag to float by sufFerance only
Whilst it would represent MS proud. as spiri-
ted people as ever lived, it would be re-
girded rs the emblem of Slave-holding
Commonwealth.-Many would be tempted
to insult it from wantonness. How would
the proud spirited people of the State feel,
to hear that their flag had been pulled down
and torn to pieces by Boston whaling par
ty, or by a vessel from Liberia, or in any
other way? How could they avengc the
insult? ifthe State assumes a national re.
sponsibility, it must provide also the attri-
butes and means of national power. 1t must
have navy and all the other appliances of
national dignity. 1t cannot rely with safety
on the comfy of nations, or on code found
ed in sublime Anthropopathy. 1t seems to
be thought by some with great confidence,
that by opening her ports with low duties on
imports, South Carolina could, under the
temptations of free trade, invite the COM
mcrce of the world to her shores. Well,
perhaps, if all would be good, and do as South
Carolina might think they should do, some
thing OF this might come to pass. But games
are generally conducted by adversary hands:
and sometimes a play is made by one that may
not be thought by the other to be secundem
Grtem.--None Of lis suppose that the Federal
Government would recognize the Indepen-
dence ofSOuth Carolina; or would be disposed
to make commercial treaties with her. On the
contrary, having ample means, that Govern
ment would war on our commerce in every
way ii could. 1t would bcs.ow bounties in,
and give preference to, our neighboring ports
1t, so far as it could. would make treaties
with foreign nations to isolate our condition
and cripple Our resources. It would divert
and obstruct all the channels of our trade,
and might conhne US to our exports alone Us
the basis of our commercial resources. un-
derstand that the articles Of commerce that
come into our ports, coastwise and by foreign
impor:aiions, amount in value to something
over $20.0O0,OO0. On this sum more than
!hree-fnur'hs finds its way into other States !:
into Georgia. North Carolina. Alabama and
Tennessee, leaving something under s. ,000,-
600 to be consumed in this State.
1t is contended that under the operations
of Free Trade more would come in, and in
some way or other it would find its way out.
Now if South Carolina was separate sover-
eighty, with a free port, there is no doubt she
might attract a greater commerce than now
comes to our ports provided it could find Il
market out of her borders. But could it find
IFS way out without violating the revenue
laws of other nations? 1t is said 81 rose by
any other name smells as sweet" We might
introduce as much commerce as we please,
and send it to Savannah river under what
some would call brisk Free Trade, but
what, in the estimation of Others whose rights
would be involved. would be regarded as
smuggling if carried across their borders in
violation of their laws. 1t would be an ac-
knowlcdgcd right of the Federal Government,
to regard South Carolina rs stranger. and
to place her commerce going into the ports
of the States in the Union under an embargo,
and so far rs concerns Georgia and North
Carolina, to regard as ports of entry, those
places only which communicate by water
with the ocean, such as Savannah and Will
mington. That Government might not es-
tablish ports at Augusta and Charlotte, or
tho North Carolina line; under this view,
commerce could come into Charleston, but
how could it get out without the process of
smuggling? At the interior points indicated,
it could not without smuggling. | then put
the proposition, would capitalists import
goods into Charleston. in opposition to the
Federal Government. under the supposi:ion
that they could make Il profit on them through
the operations of thrifty smuggling? But in
a commercial war, the State might be dis
posed to take al advantages, and il might be
to the interest of Georgia and North Carolina
to have ports Of entry at Augusta and near
Charlotte. What then! Could goods pay
ten per cen. in Charleston, and forty at these
places,-i competition with trade through
Savannah and Wilmington, paying duty of
thirty or forty per cent? Certainly not
will not dwell on this view of the subject any
longer, as do my friends the justice to say
that they have much higher aim-one
whose dignity of purpose may give their
movements different character. TO move
with the first view alone, would be to make
the State submit to something more than n
vain sacrifice. She would not have the con-
ISOLATION of blind Metellus, who lost his eyes
in going through the flames of the Temple
to save the Palladium. Her fate would not
only be self-destruc;ion, but it would be u
sacrafce to build ub the interests Of new
rivals.
Those who really look to the end of this
beginning, take the step with this vicw-to
induce other States, by the prosperous
and successful example of South Carolina, to
come into conjunction with her. Or to place
them in such circumstances, that. having a
common destiny, they would be compelled
to be involved in making common sacrifice.
will not notice the first part of the pro-
position. The latter presents the subject in
its great magnitude, not unconnected with
considers of the deepest delicacy. To force
SOVEREIGN State to take postion against It's