Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-22

he recalled to mind that this insulted State, had
ueucr injured single sister, while member of the
Confederacy-had neuer violated the Constitution
| of the Confederacy-had neuer failed to do her
part with aacrity and zeal, in sustaining the Flag
of the Confederacy-and, only ,chen compelled by
! grieuous wrongs, had left the Confederacy, and
asserted her original and Incorporated sovereign.
ty. We think that such reflections might cause a
very large number of the people of the South OF
least, to pause and reconsider the question in It's
true light. Others may think differently. Let
Reason decide between us.
BUTT may be said, that sagacious scheme can
be devised, by which the command of South Car
olinu can be attained without the appearance Of
war; What is it! A floating custom-house out.
side the bar, to intercept and collect duties on
cargoes coming into our port Does its being loca-
ted on the high SEAS do away with the llegaity Of
the act7 The illegality consists in defining and
exactng duties which it is rghtfully ours to define
and exact. What if this were done one hundred
miles from shore 1t does not make the transac.
ton one whit less unjust 1t is gross violation Of
international law. But this floating custom. house,
alone and unassised by gun-ships, would of course
be the merest child's play. Would it be attempted
without some such support, either from vessels or
powder and lead again. Our enemies must use
these instruments of war first for, otherwise, our
trade and commerce would go on cheeringly, with
only the additional excitement of an occasional
race between light trader, and clumsy, brist-
ling man.of.war. View this matter in every light,
and ask yourselves, can it be other than war, and
war commenced by Federal guns.
What then is the true result, into which these
several supposed modes of proceeding against us
resolve themselves Is it not an act of war, which
must either be sustained by declaration of war
coming from Congress, or disavowed by that body !!
The question of war upon South Carolina, must,
as consequence of either of the courses prophe.
sled, come up and be discussed in the Federal
Legislature and that too at an early period Of the
contest. What then is the naked and only issue,
that can arise between Congress and South Caro-.
lima, in case Of interference by the former! We
think it is the issue of war or peace. Our minds
will then revert to the enquiry is it probable that
the American States will wage war upon South
Carolina! We should remember that this, if ac-
complished, would be done in defiance of Right
and Justice-in defiance of Reason and Expedi.
ency-in defiance of the doubts and scruples of the
good and generous at the North-in defiance of
almost the entire public opinion of the South-in
defiance of the great probability of throwing q
a vast number of American citizens, into the ac-
tive support Of our cause, and of enlsting for us
the sympathy, the "moral aid and comfort ut
least, of other Governments, and lastly, in def
ance Of the grand difficulty of vanquishing hun.
drcd thousand brave men, contending for Justice,
and their family altars Is it not rational ex-
pectation thata Government, hampered and stag
gcrcd by these considerations, would be imbecile
and Inefficient for any purpose of war upon South
Carolina! We are constrained to think that it is
Others may differ from us. Let calm reflection be
invoked in deciding this question of probabilities
The last supposed result, and one which is said
to have the sanction and support, of many Of our
opponents in the present Government is that South
Carolina will be permitted tn ssned~ :---:..5- 49,.