Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-24

great dangers. In CUBA, IN inc Olilleo S'''Ee
in the Braziles, there isa ferment onthc SUBJ
cct of slavery which is spreading and 's''S
spread Some from humane and benevolent
notives-semc on account OF Interested
fears bcrin to look at the great example we
have set, and begin to look at the conse1uen-
ces 1ohich man result from Leat example NEAR
Err HOME. Ii is impossible 10 look a! tie dis
cussions in the United States Of America,
and especially to the conflicts bctuecn tke
Northern and Southern &:.eS, without seeing
that slavery in that nation stands on u preca-
rious footing (Cheers.) The same feeling is
growing up in Brazil and Cuba &c.
Not long after this-Decembcr 26ih, 1913,
Lord Aberdeen, at the head of Foreign AT
fairs in Great Britain, addressed that famous
letter to the Secretary of State in the United
States, which produced such profound sensa-
tion in this country He justi6es the course
his government pursued towards Texas in at
tempting to procure emancipation there. He
says" with regard to the latter point (a6ol'
ishing slavery in Tcxas) it must be ard Is
we'll known both to the United States and to
the whole world, that Great Britain desires
and is constantly excrting herself to procure,
the general abolition Of slarery throughout
the acorld." Again he says" With regard
to Texas, we avow that we wish to see slave
nv abolished there, as elsewhere, and we
should rejoice if the recognition of that coun-
try by the Mexican Government should be
accompanied by an engagement on the part
of Texas to abolish slavery eventually, and
under proper conditions throughout the Re-
public"
Fellow Citizens I am thus minute in
tracing the history Of this great question
to show YOU that the final result and object
of all these movements is the total overthrow
of your iustitutions-that it is 4 concerted
system between Great Britain and Northern
men-that they intend to strike the blow
when they dare do it. This letter OF Lord
Aberdeen was formally laid before our Gov
ernment, and if the present Secretary OF
State had been at the head of affairs. where
would we have been? With his present de-
clarations that he never had and never would
add to the slave power, he would then have
prostratcd us ut the feet of Great Britain,
and thrown Texas TO the Lion as sweet NOR
sci to be devourcd, only to whet his appetite
for the victims that were to be prepared for
the greater slaughter. But thank God other
men were at the head Of aff;:irs, and Mr.. Cal
houn's great letter as Secretary OF State,
turned the tide of events. Texas was an
nexed and our foreign and domestic enemies
were foicd.
The Hon. John Reed. leading man and
friond of Mr.. Webster, from Massachusetts,
used this language in 4 letter dated 4th Au-
gust, lS43,-. 1t must be understood that
the Free States will neither consent nor sub
init to the annexation of Texas to this Union.
Such annexation would result in it's dissolu-
tion.-In fact it would be an absolution from
the bonds and obligations of the Ccns;itu-
tion."
At meetings in Massachusetts,, it was re-
solved over and over tnat annexation was
dissolution, and that Massachusetts WAS alb
solved from all political obligations to the
slave States.' At the close Of the 26th
Congress, thirteen influential members,
among whom were J. Quincy Adams, n. b.
Calhoun, Gov Slade, Mr.. Morgan Of New
York, and Mr.. Howard of Michigan, all uni
ted in manifesto in opposition to annexa-
ton Of Texas, in which they used tie fol-
lowing language:
awe hesitate not to say that annexation
effected BY any act or proceedings of the
Federal Government or any OF its depart.
ments would be identical with dissolution.
1t would be a violation Of our national conl-
pact-its objects, designs and the great elc-
mcntary principles which entered into its for
nation, of character so deep and fuuda-
mental, and would be an attempt to inter-
mix an institution (slavery) and Il power, of E
nature so unjust in themselves, so injurious
10 the interests and abhorent TO the feelings
Of the people of the free STATES, us in our opin-
ion, not only inevitably to result in a diSsolu-
ion of the Union, but fully 10 justify h"
In n studied address delivered by Hon. ].
@. Adams to the young men of Boston, re-
ported in the National lntelligercer of
18th October, 18Th He uses these striking
and significant words:
YOUNG MEN OF BOSTON!
"Thc generation of men to whom, now fifty
one years by-rone, | gave this solemn pledge,
have passed entirely away. Those in whose name
| gave it arc, like him who addresses you, drop
ping into the grave. But they have redeemed
their and my pledge. They were your f&thc"s,
and they have maintained the freedom transmit
ted to them by their sres of the war Of indcpcn-
dencc. They have transmitted that freedom to
YOU, and upon you now devolvcs the duty Of
transmitting it unmpaircd TO your posterty.
Your trial is approaching. The spirit Of free
dam and the spirit of slarcry are dra'ring TO-
gcthcr for the deadly conflict Of arms The
annexation of Texas to this Union is the blast of
the trumpet for foreign, civil, scrvile, and Indian
war, Of which the Government Of your country,
fallen into fathlcss hands, have already twice
given the signal--iirst by shameless treaty, re-
icctcd by virtuous Senate and again by the
glove of defiance, hurled by the apostle Of nul-
ficaton, at the avowed policy Of the British en-
pirc peacefully to promote the extinction OF slave
ry Throughout the world. Young men of Boston !:
burnsh your armor, prepare for the conflict, and
say to You in the language Of GalSacus TO the
ancient Britons. Think Of your fureia,hcrs {.
think of your postcrity!
This is no common language from common
man. / do not choose TO quote from your
common fanatics or your ordinary men, but
| qaote from those who arc high in intellect
high in popular f.vor-high in power:
And I say to you in reply, Young Men of
Carolina The contest may draw together
for the deadly conflict Of arms. ."-Rurnish
your armor-prcparc for the coniiict-and if
that terrible day does come, do Jour duty
Strike for your country and her altars-
Think of your forcfathers! Think Of Your
posterity!
artor tho Rritisb Govorn,ropt and onr