Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-03
From the Mercury.
The Hamburg Meeting.


with its mcrited contempt. But in confrnla-
ton of the old adage "drowning men will
catch at straws," certain journals in our State
have seized upon this meeting MS an evidence
Of the increasing strength of what some have
been pleased to term party opposed to the
separate secession of South Carolina from
the Federal Compact. Fearing that sucl,
may have the effect of creating false impress
sions as to the political sentiments of the
people of Hamburg in this crisis of our ex-
istence as people, when every heart through
out the length and breadth of our State
should vibrate in unison, when but one senti-
ment should pervade our entire ranks, when
but one object should actuate our every
movemcnt-the speedicst and most cticctual
mode of extricating ourselves from politl-
cal thraldom in which we have been gradual
ly entangled, l beg leave through the medi-
um of your valuable journal, TO make few
statements relative to this meeting, and the
part taken in it by those who properly con-
site the citizens of Hamburg. of course
exclude from that list those wandering hordes
from other parts in search of gain, who un-
fortunately infest our little town to conside-
rable extent, the entirety of whose patriotism
may be summed up in their grasp after the
MI mighty dollar. have been credibly in
formed, it not being congenial with my feel
ings to attend any meeting whose object it
is to create division among our ranks, that
after extensive preparations on the part of
those who prefer the milder appellation Of
swat a bit," to the more significant, yet not
less appropriate cognomen submissionists.
the appointed time arrived; when 10! out of
the "four hundred respectable citizens of
Edgefeld District" which number it was al
lodged had called the meeting, scarce two
hundred were found present to raise their
feeble voice in opposition to the declared in
tention cf the sovereign State of South Caro-
lima. OF this number. not more than severn
ty-fve were from Hamburg, the remainder
were principally from Aiken, Granltesille:
and Augusta, Ga, many of whom were led
to attend more through curiosity than dc.
sire to participate in the proceedings sof the
meeting, it having been previously announced
that Messrs. Butler, Hammond and Burt were
expected to address the same These gen.
Etlemen nactedsasa became: Cart olinians, by stay
at Is was assembly that
adopted the preamble and resolutions pur-
porting to be the sentiments of the people of
Hamburg. Never was q mistake more eyre
gious, never an injustice mere fragrant. We
are, rs we ever were, for South Carolina,
right or wrong. There is still to be found
patriotism enough in our little town to lepu-
diate any such doctrines rs those put forth
by what has been designated the Hamburg
meeting" which, had it been held without
corporate limits might with equal propriety
been called the Augusta meeting" from the
number of Georgians who attended. We love
the Union rs it once was; but detest it rs it
now is. We admire and adopt as ours the
following sentiment of one of Carolina's de-
parted heroes: "NVhen / hear 4 Northern
man cry out glorious Union" says McDuffic,
"mcthnks hear the bugle blast of the rob-
bcr band but when hoar Southern man
cry out glorious Union,' mcthinks l snuff
treason from the tainted gale" There are
possibly to be found in our midst 4 few wan
dcrcrs from their legitimate sphere, who, not
withstanding the wrongs that have been
hcapcd upon us are still carried away BY
their vencration for the Union; but these,
like the men of old, no doubt, will be seen
when the first Federal gun shall be fired, on
their pilgrimage back 10 the Mecca of their
fathers. But all among us, with n few en-
ceptions, who claim to be the first settlers of
our town. all who are identified with it by a
common interest and feeling, all who are
united to it by the kindred ties of birth, and
in word, all who love freedom and detest
submission, are for separate State action
that action to consist in the secession of
South Carolina from Union once the pride
of America, now the curse of the South
We have been forced to adopt these senti-
mcnts rs ours, because We are sensible OF the
bitter, burning wrongs that have been heaped
upon lis by reckless majority in Congress
"Wc've had wrongs,
To stir n fever in the blood of age,
Or make the infants sincw strong as steel"
It's orr honest conviction that secession
is the only possible means by which we can
obtain redress for present injuries and securi-
ty against future aggressions; that the time
has arrived when South Carolina must either
protect her rights, and sustain her honor, by
the lawful remedy, secession, or sink into
state of infamy and ruin, from which nothing
save the hand of resurrection can ever re-
deem ncr. ne eHpeTlllCe oi tile P'st le"cit-
cs us that under existing circumstances we
need not expect cooperation on the part of
the South they have listened 80 long to the
siren song of peace and prosperity as to be-
come Indifferent to their most vital interests.
In the opinion of many, nothing but the
prompt and decided action Of our own State
can ever arouse them to sense of the duty
which they owe to themselves and to postcr-
ty. Let us, therefore, act, and act promptly;
in the language of the amented Butler, al
ways remembering that VIC are Carofinians." !"
Let us set the example by leading off glori-
ously in the van, and then, and not till then,
can we hope for co operation on the part of
the South. This course of policy, if adopted
by the State, will ever be sustained, let what
come that may, by the citizens-o
HAMBURG.
ANOTHER SUBTERFUGE.-The Fugitive
Slave case in Chicago has been decided. The
discharge Of the negro has been ordered by
the Commissioner. The proof of hi, idcnti-