Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-22
WHAT IS THE TRUE NATURE OF THE
QUESTION {?

ARE we, as 4 State, 10 DO something, or are we
to do nothing! Are we to resist the outrageous
injustice Of the American Government, or to ac-
quiesce in, and thereby, sanction enactmcnts
which have virtually robbed us of our dearest
rights9 Let the people of South Carolina weigh
we'll this important question: before giving def
mite reply Let not the excitement or fears of the
moment hurry them into decision, which may be
regretted through life. First and foremost, let
this great question be considered, with reference
to the JUSTICE, the TRUTH and the RIGHT involv-
ed in its decision. Neither the hope of happy
consequences, nor the fear of disastrous ones,
should be suffered to bias the judge: ,':,-
garding the question in this pointo -:.-'....
thefollowing interrogatories may : q;
allthe propositions thatwould arise ,.p.-s....,g
the first branch of the question. .i5c 80 Is.
wrong, in saying that the foulesi ig;..; ..s
been done to the State Of South Car-i..,;..
Federal Congress Are we night G. W a.: mr.
ing, that South Carolina is the besi, =,
properjudge of the grievances she ;.,s ...i.:a.,.
Are we right or wrong, in saying, IT, t, :;t:f-
ally and politically, at perfect liberty sever the
link that connects her with an agent, which has
been guilty of usurping authority, contrary to
written and express agreement! Can, or cannot,
the right Of secession be claimed upon undeniable
grounds! Would, or would not reputation of
this right on the part of our opponents, be ample
cause for the disruption of this Confederacy7 Is
it true, that there exists, nowhere, constitutional
authority for single State taking steps, for saving
her citizens from the palpably vicious and illegal
measures Of wrong and violence, forced upon her
by combination of a majority of her confede-
rates J! In q word, is secession rightful mode of
proceeding, and is the aggrieved State the only
proper judge Of the occasion that may demandit I!
Let every one, who is capable of thinking ntal,
reflect upon these things, until his mind is brought
to absolute conricto, on one side or the other 1t
is often said, that there is no question as to our
wrongs-no doubt as to the bare right of secession
And yet some act, talk and write, as though
they did not feel that they We're standing on the
broad and immutable foundations of Truth and
Justice. We want such of our fellow-ci.izens to
think, until they are carried far beyond a simple
acknowledgement Of this fact We wish it to be-.
come with them deep-seated, earnest and ever
abiding conviction--a conviction that will not
I" down at their bidding conviction that shall
be ever present to the mind giving color to all its
calculations and speculations as to the issue of this
great strife. This feature, in all the struggles,
hitherto recorded, for justice and for freedom, has
been deemed the one Of primary and paramount
Importance. And it has, ever and invariably,
predominated over prospective anticipations,
whether of evil or of good. Such ought now to
be the case and hence the imperative necessity of
thorough conotction. If this conviction is against
us, the present contest may Us well be given up
If it Is with US, We have an element of strength.
that will make one man as ten, battalion as a
regiment, and thousand freemen, as "terrible
as an army with banners Because the CORES.
ponding conviction Of error and injustice in the
minds of our opponents, would render their arms
comparatively nerreless Sampson when bearing
the Egates of GAIA upon his shoulders, and Samp
son when shom of his locks, does not present q
stronger contrast, than enlightened men contend
ing for Justice under the shield of Truth, and
enlightened men inAicting gross wrong without
even plausible pretext.
Gentlemen are pleased to ask, as if in mockery
what Will your cry of Justice avail you what
your claiming of the Right! what your being
backed BY the power of Truth" We are surprised
to read such cold suggestions, emanating from q
child Of the "sunny South" 1t is the very
essence of the most frigid utilitarianism. 1t j.
giving direct countenance to code of principles
before which, tif it prevails) all that is good and
pure and honorable, must fall, if, in the least op
posed, to what is profitable to the present genera
tlon OF men. 1t is making present advantage and
individual emol'ment, higher motives than future
permanent beEeft and moral reputation. If this
DC indeed the spirit of the Age, it should be the
noble endeavor of those, whose lot has been cas-,
In this genial cline, and whose homes are still
made dear by SO many hallowed "reminiscences o
honorable Freedom, to war against Its further
= progress !" to the last extremity" succumb be.
fore the banefnl influence, and you lose the strong