Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-09

| could give any uuuIllonal strength 10 your
meeting, but because am heartily with you
in sentiment upon the great question of the
dav.
believe that the separate secession OF South
Carolina, under existing circumstances, would
dress no wrong that has been done us-tllat
it would restore 10 us nothing that has been
lost-that it would neither give us indemnity
for the past, nor security for the future; and
that, considered merely rs an indignant act of
resentment, it would be not only injurious
but ruinous to ourselves.
We should not be deferred by the fear of
consequences, from rescnting an insut-pro-
vided the act Of resentment can bc directed
against, and made to reach the assailant-but
it would be poor satisfaction for injuries re-
ccived to aim blow. in the transport of pas
sion, which would inhct mortal wound upon
ourselves.
1t is proposed to put the State upon the tri-
al of separate nationality. We think that the
man has looked to the history of the times to
little purpose, who can believe that .he seccs-
sion of South Carolina, at this time, will force
any of the Southern States into cooperation
with us. We believe that it can hardly be
doubted bv any, that rs things now stand, no
other Slate will sccede and join us in forming
4 Southern Coniederacy. But it is insisted
that war, or some unforeseen circumstance
which is to follow the act Of secession, will
necessarily induce the other Southern States
to join us. We do not believe any such thing
and we think it unreasonable to ask us to
believe it. We may conjecture such result
possible, but we think it unwisc to rely upon
such Il vague expectation, in vcnturing upon
Fundamental change in government, in which
our all is involved.
The burden lies upon those who propose Il
change in government, to show that the pro-
posed change will better the condition Of the
citizens of that government. If they fail TO
do, by satisfactory evidence, they have no
right to expect that men of understanding and
prudence will launch life and fortune upon the
ocean of uncertainty and experiment, merely
to test their political spcculalions. Have the
immediate secessionists furnished this evi-
dence? They propose to seccde SOLITARY
and alone"-and what then? Clouds and
darkness rest upon the future. They never
have shown-they cannot show, that the sep
arate secession of South Carolina, under en-
isting circumstances. will accomplish the end
proposed, or in any way better our condition.
On the contrary it has been shown, in the dis
cussion of this question, by an argument
which has not been answered, and which it is
unnecessary for me to insert here that it will
accomplish no good-that it will increase and
aggravate the dangers which environ our pc
culiar institution, which we are resolved to
maintain at the hazard Of our lives-that it
will destroy our present prosperity, nnd make
our condition infinitely worse in every respect
But it is insisted that the honor Of the State
requires that we should now secede-that the
State is committed, pledged to separate Sc
cession, and that she cannot now recede with
out dishonor. l deny that the State is pledg.
cd. Those who assert the affirmative must
prove tit is question of fact, not of argu-
mcnt. If it be so, the record will show it
but the record shows no such thing.
The people of South Carolina are high.
toned, spirited and honorable people; and the
secessionists, taking advantage of this known
character, appeal in burning words of clio:
quencc and Indignation, to their spirit and
high sense of honor. This appeal they press
home upon the people in all parts Of the State