Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-09
THE RESISTANCE FEATURE OF C0.OPERa.
TI0N,

ultimate resistance. And yet, it appears to us to
be point easy of demonstration. that practical
submission will be the result Of their advce-and
we cannot avoid the further conclusion, that uhi-
mate acqniescence will he the the ''last express
sion' of the problem they propose to work ont.
This is the chief objection with us, to the policy
they advocate. OF course we have now in view
TIE WRONGS OF TIE PAST, and VIC address cur
selves 10 those good brothers among the co-operl.
tionists who declare that they will ncrer submit
10 those wrongs.
Upon each of these points, we will give our
views in the briefest possible manner.
AMI first as to practical submission. Co-ope-
rationsm is founded upon the belief that South
Carolina cannot act alone with any prospect of
success. The Simultaneous movement of one or
more of our sister States of the SUulh is regarded
an indispensable condition 10 action This has
been nculcatcd as one article Of the cooperation
creed. y few individuals who belong to that
party have very wisely disapproved of this being
made ':sinc qua non" to resistance; but Judging
from the general tone and character of the argu-
mcnts now used throughout the State, We think
we are warranted in saying that the party has
laid. as one of its curner-stunes. The impOency Of
South Carolina, and the consequent absuroliiy of
her seeding alone The other premise we lay
down is equally clear, and it is this: No Southern
State will cooperate with MS in resistance on the
score of past grievances-fur they have all so de-
clared, i'll the nust direct, uncquivocal and au-
lhoritaivc manner. If, then, South Carolina
must delay action on past issues until some one of
those States shall agree 10 join her. is it not per-
fectly clear that she will delay until dooms,ay if
no other issues arise. Even though she retained
the "anim,ls resisendi'' Gfwc may use that ex.
pressiun) yet, in deed and in fact she would be
remaining inactive under the preparation of
wrongs which she had distinctly said were insult.
ferable-and what would this be but practical
suiImissiUIi ------------
Now we are aware, as in,imaed above. that
there are some Co-operationisls who would abbre-
viaic the period of delay. and who are willing 10
fix n year nj the coming of which they will agree
that South Carolina shall act past issues, even
ihoughno other State go with ner This indication,
we are ready to allow, goes to prove that, though
limited vista of practical submission. q day of
determined and hazardous resistance is steadily
contemplated bya portion the cooperation party.
Such men we will never term submissionisis We
accord to them chcerrny the true spirit of free.
men in It's fullest significatinn But we would
most respectfully urge it upon them 10 reflect
whether they are not vcninring the suppression Of
that spirit too far, OH Z dim and uncertain hope.
We seriously fear That there will be but one step
from the praciicul submission of South Carolina
(rrca far fire Vcdrs) 10 her ultimate and final ac-
qesccnrc in the late odious compromise. If we
could think otherwise, the chief obstacle 10 n
modification of our views would be removed
Suppose it 10 be determined on. that South Car
ona is to wait five years, with the clear under
Standing that she WILL nj the end of that time. act
" at all hazards" The question arises, ' is there
eny probability that she mM then aci?" We hon
csily believe that she will not, and we submit 4
few considerations below, upon which we found
our belief
First. Our Northern enemies, who have always
plaved the game Of encroacllment with consum-
mate skill, will perceive at once that their true
policy is TO stay the hand of aggression, for ut
least the period covered by Carona's threat. in
the mean iimc their efforts will be cSertet to ap
pcasc and quiet the uprising of Southern resent
ment By some sham showing Of cancellation and
benefit. Their aim will be 10 fix and confirm those
Southern States, which have acquicsccd in the
Compromise, in their determination to accept and
abide by its provisions. No one will pretend to
say that there will be any difficulty in this, when
it is remembered that dominant maiorities in all
those States have already rendered in their un-
qualified appreciation. Thus at The expiration of
the five years, even those who now commend and
pray for the action Of South Carolina, may be in
duced to condemn it as illtimcd and out of date.
Secondly.-The people of South Carolina will
have borne all 80 intolcrablc wrong" for the space
of five long years. Time, which wears away the
bilcreSt gricfs and the stcrncst rcsentments, Will
have done It's work towards efIicing, partially, the
memory of the injustice which has been done u.s.
The ''defcrrcd hope" Of independence will have
sickcned the hearts of many-lhe Establishments
of federal patronage will tend TO convert resistance
to tyranny into devotion TO the Uniun-witll the
very money paid by the people Of South Carolina
into the Federal Treasury, the lofty patriotism of
the Stale may be tainted. Thus, nt the expiration
of these five years, there may be- much less of the
feeling of sclf-sacrilicing determination TO vindi.
cate the honor Of parent State, than at present
exists i'll both parties.
Thirdly-When this period shall have arrived,
and we shall find the work of Carolina isolation
(Which is said 10 be the steady aim of the Norih)
completely yefIectcd-whcn we shall discover more
formidable enemies to have sprung up in our omn
honsrhold-whcn the days of 'j2 may have become
the theme of common jest with friends az we'll as
fucs-what then! The stil.indignant spirits Of
the State may gather around their gallant leaders
and say to them ave remember that YOU told
us, in days past, that You would lead us TO indie
pendcncc if we tarricd until now. We demand of
you 10 redeem the pledge" And, doubtless, they
would make Il gallant effort to do so. But 10
every stirring appeal they would attempt, The voice
Of a rcrining people would rcply-"We once