Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-10
The Declaration of Independence

In CoNGREss, June 7, l776-Thc delegates
from Virginia moved TINT the congress should
declare that these United Colonies are, and
of right ought to be, free and Independent
States, that they are absolyed from allegiance
to the British crown and that all political
connection between them and the State of
Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally
dissolved.
In Congress June 8, 1776.-The above
resolution came up for consideration, and
wins referred to TIC cUnImtrrue 1iIe tfNvfrUfc,
into which they immediately resolved them
selves.
AS at present, there were then two parties
tho one advocating delay, the other recon-
mending prompt and decisive measures.
1t was argued by the delay party or CO.
operationists that though they were friends
to the proposed measures, yet they were
against adopting them at this time,
"That it was unwise to take any capital
steps the voice of the people drove to it.
;That the people of the Middle Colonies
(Maryland Delaware, Pennsylvania, the Jer-
seys, and New York; were not yet ripe for
bidding adieu to British connection, but that
they were fast ripening, and i'll short time
would join in the general voice of America.
These, besides many other reasons, were
assigned against the resolution offered by
the Virginia delegation. On the other side,
it was argued by the immediate seccsslonists,
that all were agreed upon the subject Of
secession, sthat they only differed as to
time and that in their opinion the time was
now at hand That the people were ready,
and were only waiting for them to lead.
"That it was vain to wait for unanmity.
That the conduct of some of the colonies
from the first manifested something of settled
policy on their part to keep in the rear of the
confedcracy; and that they had thrown them.
selves forward from the firstto come forward
now.
sThat the history of the Dutch revolution
of whom three States only confederated at
first, proved that the secession OF some OF
the colonies only was not so dangerous as
was apprehended.
That unless we declared ourselves free and
independent, foreign powers would not entel
into any alliances with us.
The co-operationists or delay party, lind
ing that the immediate secessionists were
bent upon carrying their measures, finally
gave in their adhesion. They were, however
allowed several weeks to consider the matter
and in the meantime, or whilst they were
thus engaged in their Deliberations, thu
committee appointed to draft y declaration
of independence, applied themselves to thel
task which was executed and reported on th'
I'd of July and agreed to, and signed on th'
4th by every member except one.
This scrap of history we regard strikingl.
applicable to the present position of pa:tie:
and we would commend to the Cooperation
lists of the present day, the noble example
set by their ancestors Of the same politica
creed who approved of apolicy which did no
entirely receive the sanction Of their owr
judgments and who thus by patriotic an'
commendable acquiescence removed one o
the greatest oh stacles in the way of consti
tutonel liberty.-Winnsboro Register.
-
The following extract from the speech q
the Hon. A. P. BUTLER, as delivered in til
r South Carolina Legislature, upon the B
t Calling Convention of the people of tn
State in 1880, should afford much encourage
mcnt at the present time. our principle
are right, South Carolina, small as she i
can maintain them AS WELL AS INVENT
STATES JOINED"
D sSir, The cause of liberty never rur
smooth. 1t is acquired by peril, and pr
. served by vigilance and frmness. Supir
indifference and confident security, are incol
sistent with its permanent existence. Thos
n who have been in the van of the great col
: tests to obtain and preserve it, have had
y contend with difficulty, and to encounter to
a and hazard. 1t is the natural disposition {
= large masses, to love quietude and securit
. while evils are tolerable, rather than max
3 any excrtion to right themselves Eve
:: Moses, the inspired man of God, found
n difficult to prevail upon his brethren to lea'
the land of their captivity, for the land {
i promise and liberty. Coptcntcd with the