Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-06
PlIRLIC MEETING,

PUBLIC MEETING
a Public Meeting of the citizens Of Edge
field District. was held 1T tho Court House,
ON Monday tic Sd instant, Of which the To-
lowing is Il condensed account.
On motion of Mr. AByEY, the Hon. n. J..
GRIFFIN, WAS called 10 the Chair, and Col.
ARTHUR SlMKIHs, was appointed Secretary.
The Chairman, in explaining the object Of
the Meeting, said that it was no improper
time to make few remarks rs to the action
of the Legislature at its recent Session. lie
would trarlcssly announce that this action
looked to 4 separation of the State from the
Union at no distant day, and it was predica-
ted upon full knowledge, on the part of
Senators and Representatives., of the intclli-
gercc, the spirit and the unauimity of their
constituencies. They had abundant proof
that the people, who elected them, We're
thoroughly acquainted with the issues in
volvcd in this struggle, and that they were
determined that the time for submission to
Northern injustice, must end at once.
TIc referred any one, who might doubt the
propricty of this conclusion, to the history
of South Carolina since the days Of '33.
There they would read this strong resolve
traced in the strongest characters.
lie knew, that it would be an offence to
the patriotism of Edgcfcld, to suppose that
her people were not up to the mark.
lie explained the apparent clashing be-
tween the two branches of the Legislature,
in devising tho Convention bill. By the opc-
ration of this bill, the State would be, after
Monday next, virtually in Convcntion-and
prepared for all contingencies. lie had but
little hope from Southern Congress, fearing
it might prove but another Nashville Con-
vention. Tho real question, he thought, is
now, as it will be then, shall we act alone or
submit? If the Southern Congress fail, then
South Carolina must secede alone! (Grcat
appausc.) He saw no danger in the issue,
and for one, was prepared to meet it.
COL BAUsKETT, said he would rather be
permitted to attend to his private duties
Which required much Of his attention, but if
he was needed to fill up the dance, he was
ready to take u hand, and "tread a measure"
lie had no disinclination to being chosen
n member to the Convention, on account of
its responsibilities, or on the ground of op-
position either to that measure or any other
which was acted upon by the last Legislature.
He saw nothing in the members of that body
but Il patriotic devotion to the State, its inter
ests and its honor, and he believed that all
their acts were governed by that lofty sem
timent -
The Edgehcld Delegation preferred the
immediate call of q Convention, as the body
best qualified to represent the sovereignty of
the State, and to consider the great questions
of a Southern Confederacy and separate
State action. They yielded their support to
the Bill that passed rather than adjourn with
out any action whatever.
If he had n vote in the Convention, with
out good prospect of the formation Of a
Southern Conftderacy, nc would give it be-
fore the adjournment Of that body, for the
total separation Of South Carolina.
Hc had no idc; that the government would
attempt to force US back into the Union, in
case of Secession. He believed that the
ballot-box Of the North would decide in
favor Of q separation of the Slavc-holding
from the non-Slave.hoiding States. ThciF
t:lnatcisnl, for once, has got the advantage Of
their avaricc But should the government
attempt to cocrec South Carolina, the right
of State to scccdc from The Federal COM
pact, would be preliminary question for de-
cision. All the Southern, and many Of the
Western States maintain that right, and
therefore they would be compelled TO sustain
Us. Our only difference with our sisters OF
the South is in the suflicicncy of our provo.
cation; but if State has the right to sccedc
with cause, it has the right to secede with
out cause, for under the Constitution, it is
in the last resort, the only judge of such 4
cause. In the end, we will be forced into
secession, or subjected to 4 scrvile war. II
is better to seccdc even now.
Gen. BoSHAM, said he had not desired q
seat in the Convention, feeling the great res.
possibility of that position lie had not, du.
ring the whole Of his life. devoted as mncl
time, to serious reflection, upon any political
question as upon this. And he had come to
the conclusion that no man, in South Caro-
lima, had q right 10 refuse acting as dele
gate in this important body, if it were the
wish of the people that he should co so
Under this conviction, he could not withdraw
his nalnc from tho list of those who wert
willing TO serve their country at this trying
crisis.
lie regarded The object of the Convention
to be, active preparation for another Govern
ment-the present deserved to exist no lon
gcr-,nd the course plain to all, was, to take
into our own hands, as soon us possible, thu
instituting of such other Government, either
in concert with other Southern States, o.