Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-09-11
Fon TIE ADVERTISER.
GREAT SECESSION MEETING ON THE RIDGl

Early on the morning of the end, the inhabi
tants of this section, with their invited guests,
commenced hockingin crowds to the beautiful
grove, near Mr. WADE HoLsrElN's residence,
which had been announced as the place of rem
devious. BY 10 o'clock A. NJ, a company had
assembled which was varously estimated at from
TWO TO THREE THOUSAND persons.
At half-past ten o'clock, according to previous
arrangement, Capt RICHARD WARD, assistetty
Majors ABnAM JONES and WILSON COLEMAN, pro-
cecdcl, as Marshals of the Day, to form process;
sion along the public road Immediately in front
of Mr.. IIoLsrEIN's house. The following was
the order MS carried out:
Capt. LIEBnAYD's Volunteer Company,
preceded by the Band of Music.
Committee of Arrangements.
The Reverend Clergy.
Orators and Editors, supported by Messrs.
LEWIS, JONES and EMMETT SEIDLEs.
Citizens generally, on foot.
Capt. NonAcSE and his Flying Artillery.
"TnE SPIRIT OF '5l," a corps Of Cavalry
under Capt r. B. BouHHIcnT.
Citizens on horseback.
At the word of command, the Procession
moved forward in column, (cight decp,) willie
the Band poured forth strains Of martial music,
exactly suited to the enthusiasm and high excite
mcnt of the occasion. 1t is no cxaggeration to
say that more imposing procession, outside of a
CITY or town, was never witnessed in South Car
olina. Certain it is, that more glowing deter
mination to maintain the honor and equality Of
their State never pervaded any column Of free.
men.
Upon arriving within fifty yards Of the grove,
where the preparations for speaking had been
made, the head of the Procession was wheeled
to the right and formed into line on Capt. LIE
BRANDS Company, along the margin Of an old
field, and at a right angle with the road. The
Cavalry was drawn up opposite at the distance
Of one hundred yards, the two divisions facing
each other. Midway between these lines, tho
Flying Artillery moved up to a position, suffi.
ciently advanced to place the main body of the
crowd in their rear, where they proceeded with
skill and promptitude to unmbcr and fire. A
salute of 30 guns was thundered forth in rapid
and regular sueccssiOn-onc for each Of our SIS
ter districts, one for old Edgcfeld, and one IA
roarcrl for Action.
The Procession was then invited to the grove
ror rcr--orrrr .IiSs-------yr-~-.------..,,
zation Of the meeting for the discussion Of the
great political question Of the day.
At / o'clock, the assembly was called to order
Mr.. WADE T1oLsrErN acting as President The
Rev. JOHN K JOHNSON opened the proceedings
with brief and fervent prayer. The old mans
tremulous ejaculation to heaven for sufficiency
Of strength and spirit to enable our people to meet
the present emergency successfully, drew fortl,
an Amen" from every heart.
Mr.. LEWIS .JoaEsthen introduced Gen. JAMES
Fl. ADAMS to the audience as one of the speakers
of the day. After a few graceful preliminary
remarks, this distinguished gentleman went
straight forward into the discussion Of the great
question which now absorbs universal attention.
He advocated separate action with power and
cloquence equalled by few who have asyet broach-
ed that discussion. His positions were strong,
his arguments lucid, and his illustrations entirely
to the point. He proved to the satisfaction of
ninc-tcns Of his audience, that the pre-arranged
cooperative action Of any other State was an
ignis .fatuus, calculated only to lead us astray
from the direct path of duty. He argued that
cooperation would be the almost inevitable con-
sequence of South Carolina secession. Admit
ting, for the sake Of argument, that it would not
then como, he proved concusivcly that South
Carolina could alone maintain her responsibility
among the nations of the earth, and secure tho
happiness and prosperity Of her citizens. In con-
clusion, the General made an appeal to the pride
Of Carolinians which moved each heart that was
not insensiblc to every generous emotion. Hc
recalled the history Of the past in bright and
glowing coIors, and then, painting the submission
Of Carolina in its true character, lie drew con-
trnst, which caused the blood of the aged to run
warm again from the heart, and the enthusiasm
of youth to pant for an opportunity to prove that
Carolinians were still worthy of that time-honor-
ed name. The remarks of General ADAMS were
greeted from time to time with marked approba-
tion, and he sat down amid the general and long
continued applause of his audience.
The Hon. A. P. BUTLER, who had arrived on
the ground after Gen. ADAMS had commenced
his speech, was then formally invited to address
the meeting, which he declined upon the ground
that he was determined to speak at no party
gathering, to do nothing which would tend 10
promote party strife. Ills sense of the duties of
his present official position had led him to this
conclusion The audience seemed highly graft
fled by this course of the honorable Senator.
which they indicated by hearty applause.
Colonel BAusKETT then followed in speech,
which more and more fully established his high
claim TO clearness, astutcness and logical consis-
tency 1t is sufficient to say that his advocacy of
secession was received by his audience as unan
swerable, and approved accordingly Soon after
Col. BAusKErr had finished, dinner was an
nounced, and the entire crowd soon found them
selves discussing the substantials of an amply
provided and well preparcd borb,oua TLotoh,,,