Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-29

be resor!ed to only as thenieans OF estap'lSl,-
ing confedpracy of onesor' more slaVenoio-
ing States Tint. ats this. lime, the Secession,
of South Carolina would neither DC followed
nor justified by any ether State; that the
secession of South Carolina, at The present
time, the other Southern States remaining IN
the Union, would only aggrayate the eyAs OF
which We justly complain, md would be IN
expedient and unwise ;sthat, in such event,
force would be attempted by the Federal
Government, and the great object OF seres.
sion seriously hindered and endangered, II
not utterly defeated,
have now, gentlemen, expressed my optn-
ions upon the deeply interesting point, lndl,
Gated in your communication, with the frank
ness and candor that becomes me as repre-
sentative and citizen. lIscammend them TO
your scrutiny and your Consideration, Theey
are opinions deliberately formed, after the
long and anxious reaectionso one who has
no ambition but to promote the true glory
of South Carolina. dare nnt hope that
they will be acceptable to sall-of you-the!y
may not be so to any ofyau-but nm vii.
ling to submit them TO ttP test of time and
truth, as am content and resolved to stand
or fall in the public estimation, by them, and
upon them. In public or in private life,
should not feel that am a pntriot if did
not, at whatever personal saerifice, to save
my native State from the disasters OF blind
and needless counsels. But South Carolina
il the home of my affections, and her bosom
shall be my grave. Her cause shall he my
ca,,se--her fate, nv ia e.
/ cannot lay down my pen without this
admonilinn to my fellow.citizens: Before
you secede, make up your mind. unalIerably.
that the step. once taken. can never he re-
traced without unutteribe shame and des
pair. Be. then. reSolvedpin meet all its ha-
yards and its trials If you are not ready to
lay down life and fortune. you are not pre-:
pared for secession. The North cannot and
will not part with Won, and the treasure she
wrings from you, without mighty struggle
She will use force, if slx dare. and there be
need. Be sure. before You move, that You
cannot fail, and be sure. also, that success
will bring the realization of the bright hopes
and happy visions that lead you on to the
contest. IF you are induced 10 favor secrs.
sion by the idea, which som" of those who
are clamorous. for that measure hold nut ia
you-that you would be carressed and coax.
ed, by kindness and concessions, to return To
to the Uninn-I cntreat you TO discard tn.
vain and unworthy hope. Secession, for such
n purpose. would be a paltry md II miserable
trihing with The gravest question of the cen.
tury. | would scorn. with as proud di>dai
rs You could feel, any unmnnly appeal ia
your years. make no such appeal. / only
conjure you to bring home to your own con.
seriousness the realities of this great is'ue
before the sword is drawn. That brigh'
weapon, once drawn, can never be sheathpd
without dshonor. Retreat, in such con.
test, would be as disastrous, and infinitely
more disgrareful, than defeat. Either wonld
be irrctrievable rnin. Then, be vie bc
resnlved-be ready-before you strike!
have not a purpose. or a3lIope. nr a wish. h
is not insrparnhly connected with the des iny
of South Carolina. and, with the help of God
her destiny shall be INV destiny.
am. gentlemen. withigreat respect, ynnr
obedicnt and humble servant
ARMFSTEAD BURT.
To Capt. Thomas B. Byrd, and others.