Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-20
FOR TIE ADVERTISER.
TO the People of Edgefield.
NUMBER TWO.

have shown that there were no solid
constitutional objections to the Southern
Congress bill, and that the difference of our
Legislators was difference in their policy,
and in regard to the time and mode ofaction.
When the issue thus became narrowed
down, in the Legislature, between ultimate
secession by this State alone, and no action
except in concert with the other Southern
States, it was soon perceived, that there
were very few members, who could have the
hardihood or tameness Of spirit, in the face
of their constituents, to advise and follow
the latter unworthy and humiating course.
The consequence was, that nearly the whole
legislature voted for the Convention Bill as
it passed. Some of those who voted in the
minority, did so expressly because the provi-
sions of the bill were not strong enough, and
the time of separate action was fixed too far
head. Of the three Senators who thus
voted, one of them distinctly and boldly
gave those rs the reasons for hi, vote. He
was q man, rs lion-hearted and incorruptible
as any that ever enjoyed seat in that Hail.
He said, with great manliness, that he oppos-
ed the bill on account of the diffidence and
hesitation manifested by it.-s Senators" he
exclaimed, "Place my liberty and honor be-
fore me, and will pursue them to the death
point me to the eagles nest that derours
my lambs, and will tear it down; but will
not consent basely to fawn, and cringe, and
crawl to the accomplishment of an object,
which requires manly fortitude and upright
ness Of spirit"
1t occurs to me then, from this plain state
ment, that the only escape from separate State
action left us, is in the possibility of an uni
vcrsal change Of sentiment, in the South,
and in the speedy formation of Southern
Confcderacy, by the concerted action of all
the Save-holding States. Is an end so desi-
r.ble of attainment in any degree probable?
Have We the slightest indications that any of
our aggrieyed sisters will aid US in move
ment so just and noble. We have every proof
to the contrary, and he that still hopes is in
fltuatcd. We have coaXcd and waited for
them until the bare idea excites either ridi.
cule or disgust in the mind. We patted Vir.
ginia on the back, for time, telling her to
strike, and we would follow; but Virginia
only shook her drowsy head and relapsed into
her former slumbers. We then turned to the
gallant game cock, Georgia, and she tapped
her wings and boisterously crowed, and strut
ted out of the ring. We next looked to-
wards Mississippi, a proud little State, and if
her people are as fearless in counsel, as they
are brave and devoted in the, field, she and
South Carolina, whose chivalrous regiments !
monopolizcd the glory of the Mexican War,
will constitutsahs gpardseffthe South
tie teFrit6ry and IN yindicating
slfs-5sg'ffs rs'eiiHss1- Tie 5es5Tf0Ju Of
their sons. have, in great measure though,
lost confidence even in Mississippi,and I amre-
duced to the conclu:ion that our own banner
is first to be brought on the field solitary and
alone. 1t is banner that never yet has
been struck, and if it goes down in this con-
fict, it will sink with all that is brave, and
generous, and noble in the Palmetto State,
perishing with it, and shrowded in its latter
cd folds.
There will be no concert of action. Some
State must move first. That most danger
GUS and most honorable position is best suit
cd to South Carolina. Let her occupy it-lct
her advance; and in less than twelve month
if force be attempted against her, her stand
ard will be upheld by two hundred thousand
of the bravcst hearts in the South,-a South
ern confederacy will be establistcd,-our IL
bertics will be secured, and our political re.
dcmption will be wrought out forever.
But Fellow citizens, there are some checks,
thank God, even to the most tyrannical go
vernmcnts, and to ours, blinded and reckless
as it is, there are some hindcrances, which it
can neither disregard nor safely surmount.-
If we sccedc, it will never seriously attempt
to force us back into the Union. There will
be very grave question to decide before it
can adopt such course, with any prospect of
success. presume, that on our final seces-
sion, which will take place, with all the form
and solemnity that can invest movement so
momentous, Commissioners will be sent to
Washington to arrange the terms of our with
drawal, to bind the State to the payment of
her portion of the public debt which has al
ready accrued, and to establish finally the re-
lations and the intercourse which are to SUBJ
sist in future, between the Independent
governments of the United States and South
Carolina. The President, of course, will
issue proclamation after the manner of
Jackson, or he will send message to Con-
gress notifying that body of the rebellous
proceedings in South Carolina, and demand
ing a sufficient authority to use the military
and naval forces for collecting the revenue in
the ports of the refractory member. A bill,
another force bill, to that effect, will be moved
by some freesoil leader either from Vermont
or Massachusetts. 1t will awaken such de-
bate in Congress as has never been heard in