Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-02-20

in the Acts of the Federal Congress, might
have used very different language, had the
question been narrowed down to the simple
one, "has South Carolina the right to deter
mine, for herself the extent of grievance,
which will warrant her withdrawal from the
Union, and should she exercise this right
peaccably and without restraint from the Fed
eral Government? We submit that Bishop
Capers, in asserting that three fourths Of the
people of the above mentioned States, were
utterly opposed to the course of our State,
came to this conclusion from remarks he
heard, made upon wrong understanding of
the true issue. And even granting that three
fourths of the opinions he heard expressed,
were opposed to separate State action, under
any circumstances, does this prove that such
was the sentiment Of three fourths of the en-
tire people. This were to suppose that three
fourths Of particular denomination were an
index to the whole population. We think it
fair then to infer, from his own statements,
that his conclusions are not legitimate, or, at
least, that they are too weak to form the ba-
sis of an oracular announcement from so arl-
gust parsonage as Bishop. When we
add to whit is said above, that abundant other
testimony directly conflicts with HIS in refer
ence to the States Of Mississippi and Alabama,
it is not going too far to say that his positive
assertions are only supported by "ex parte !"
information. When he says then, that
majority Of the wise and virtuous of other
States, greatly outnumbering US, hold the op-
posite opinion" he cannot speak in reference
to the real issue we seek, nor from full and
proper evidence for definite conclusion.
But, granting that portion of the Bishops
premises, upon which he lays such stress
the undoubted opposition of three fourths of
the Western pcople-does it follow, as mat
ter Of course, that we must, review our course
and rapidly retrace our steps? Is it come to
this, that a Caroliuian and Christian can
even remotely suggest the hateful principle,
that majority, however Overwhelming, is to
determine the correctness of an opinion p
AS Caroinian, let him call to mind that We
were once more completely alone upon the
great question of Frce-.rade. As a Chris
tian, let him remember that his holy religion
was once in the keeping of Il few, humble
fishermen, with the world arrayed against
them. The religious creed and the political
doctrine have alike been triumphant-proving
that the strength of a cause is not to be
found in the numbers of its advocates, but in
the purity and truth Of its principles. Be-
cause three fourths Of the Western people
are opposed to u.s. are we therefore wrong?
South Carolinians, is this a compliment to
your sagacity and experience? Is it recog-
milton of the gallant lead you have ever taken
in the cause of Southern Rights! Is it not
rather advising youto relinquish the position
you have so wellsSearned, the advanced
g1ard:in that righteous; s;cause2 Heed it.not, J,
fthougl seemeto.y .yon with sacerdotal lautRos:
tfIe history y7of yuuTscgargs.se
eths:last twenty. Five Years, and every page will
say to you, heed itnot." There have been
and there now are men, who from mistaken
notion of prudence, or from blindness, or
from pcrverscness, say to you, "stay your
hand" bide your time," and the like; but,
in opposition to these remonstranccs, the
voice of the past urges you to yield to your
destiny and save the South.
Bishop Capers, in conclusion, asserts a few
views, which are so singularly dogmatical, as
to need but little reply. They are as follows:
!. Secession must prove runous.
Q. The General Government uiH put us
down.
8. Charleston 'rW perish.
4. And so will all the State
5. We will all be sacrificed.
In support of these several "dcta," there
is nothing but the writer's "ipse dixit;" in
other words, it has occurred to Bishop Capers
that such things may come to pass-ergo, they
will come to pass. Arc such unsupported as
sumptions, frllow.citizens, entitled to your
eonsidcration?-Butw We must conclude. If
we have spoken somewhat freely of a vener-
able Minister of Religion, it has not been
from an ilibcral appreciation of him in that
character. Some of the most tender and de-
lightful "reminiscences we can recall, owe their
existence to an association with him as Pro-
fessor and Adviser. We have ever loved the
man-we love him still. Yet this is no ar
gumcnt against condcmning course, which,
from mistaken views, he has been induced 10
adopt.
Tribute of Respect.
At 4 regular meeting of. Butler Lodge No.
II, |. o. o. F., the following preamble and
Resolutions were passed without dissent.
WHEREAS it hath pleased the Almighty in
his inscrutablc wisdom, 10 remove from US,
our brother JAMES COCHRAN, who was bound
to us in brothcrly affection, and who was an
upright, honorable and consistent member of
our order. Therefore,
l. Rcsolrcd, That i'll the death Of brother
COCHRAN, we have lost an ornament and