Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-23
pATRIoTIsA....WHAT DOES IT TEACH US 2


WHILE patriotism is perhaps the holiest princi.
pie ingrafed upon the human heart (afier the love
of God), yet (sad reflection y there is scarcely
another, within the whole range Of virtues, more
frequently desecrated through caprice, or passion
or prejudice Especially is this the case with men
who have just passed through civil contest
which has called into exercise the heated feelings
of party strife The defeated nre too apt to give
way to the promptings of disappointment and
mortified pride-lhe successful not unfrequently,
err quite as much by yielding to the suggestions of
inflated arrogance. The patriotism Of Carolinians
is now being subjected to this trying ordeal. And
we fondy hope it will come out like gold from The
furnace, refined and purified
Upon this point, we would venture to address q
very few words to that party with which we have
had the honor to act for the tyear-a party with
whose views our feelings and convictions have
been bound up-but party, whose policy seems
now to be condemned by the people Of their
State.
Let us, first of all, bear in mind this reflection
Our defeat does not imply hat we have either
failed in the discharge of duty or in the i'm
partial exercise of reason upon the great issues
before U.S. There may be few individual in
stances among lis, where ambition or perrerseness
took the rcins from both reason and conscience ;
although in all sincerity we avow our belief, that
the Secession party Of South Carolina is as slight
ly amenablc to such charges, as any party that
ever struggled for the prevalence of its principles
Some such instances, however, are unavoidable
incidents of every controversy Of the kind. We
should not, and we do not lay claim to any supe-
rior degree of exemption from the frailIies of hu-
manty. But we do lay claim to an honesty of
purpose, fully equal to that which has character
lied the most influential branch of our immediate
opponents. And this, every generous bosom
among them will allow u.s. We do lay cluim to
the merit of having acted both considerably and
conscience ously in the maintenance and further.
ance Of that course which we adopted And this
will doubtless be readily admitted by all. We do
lay claim to an intensity of devotion TO the honor
and welfare of South Carolina, unsurpassed by
that of any other party within her borders.
Neither will tllis be gansayed. In Short we, as
party, lay claim to the pure spirit of elevated
patriotism: and in doing so, we deny it not to
others. We earnestly believe that large ma joT-
ity of both the prominent political divisions Of our
people have been actuated by genuine patriotism
of the highest grade. And it will so be recorded by
the faithful historian i beth parties nolO do their
duty TO Tie Sha'e. Here is the test. And it now
becomes every true Carolinian (of whatever polit-
ical crect) to examine himself well, lest he fall
into some extreme error, on one side or the other,
and thus muiIate the fair fame of our common
mother, more gricvously than our unfortunate
schisms haze already done it.
Let us bring our every impulse 10 the touch
stone Of that patriotism which we profess, and if
it be not conlormabe thereto, let it he cast out rs
evil. Especially, let not Scccssiunists, who thus
augllt to dctract from the glorious brightness Of
their position. TO avoid result so much 10 be
deprecated, let us conduct ourselves with mild
ness, respect and affection towards our opponents.
Let us look TO them with hope. Let us await, with
as much confidence rs we can, the development
of their plan of resistance. (They have assured
us one is to be forihcomng). Let us not fail to
give any such plan our most respectful consldera-
tion If i, maintains the honor of our Slate, let
lis rejoice at it. If it gives promise Of disenthra.
ing the hampered sovereignty Of South Carolina,
tcven though it be prospecively) let us stand by
it and defend it, if il shall have become clear that
nothing better can be carried TO consummation.
Above all, let us cling 10 our dear old Palmetto
Stale Through evil as well rs through good re-
port We fear that size will be taunted rs q
"poor braggadocio" throughout the length and
breadth of the land-wc predicted this 10 deter
our opponents from prosecuting opinions which we
regarded fallacions. Let us now strive to falsify
our predictions We may be injuring our own
reputation for sagacity by so doing--but we will
he saving. TO extent. at least, the character
of our beloved State And this surely is an object
that demands the sacrifice Of every selfish con-
Sideraiion-nf every mere party predilcciion.-
| Having. rs far as we can nnw judge. failed TO
carry ont preferred policy, let us struggle TO
unite parties on some common ground Of resistance
and having done all that can be done. let us,
come what will, stand or fall with South CarUli-
na This we conceive TO be the kind Of patriot.
ism required 10 meet the emergency.