Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-07-17


priate remedies for tile
those rights, that no question wlnc.-
arisen under our complex system of govern
ment, has escaped their notice. They have,
with the power of truth laid down our rights
and prescribed the remedies, and carefully
considered all the consequences which may
result from their application.
The blockade of our ports, in case the
State should sccede, and the disastrous
consequences resulting from it to our CON-
merce and people, appears TO fill the largest
chapter in the book of Calamities, which has
just cmanatcd from the pens of the present
commentators on the rights of the States.
The argument which they urge in support
of their views, are based upon the supposition
that the Federal Government will claim that
South Carolina is an integral part of the
Union, and not sovereign State; and that
as part of consolidated empire, it is the
right and duty of the President to enforce
obedience and submission, so far as she is
concerned. Without Stopping to disprove
this assumption, or to show how such views
subvert every principle upon which our rights.
rs separate States rest, we will refer to au-
thority, which no one will dispute, to show
that this thing of blockade is not so simple
not so one-sided and ruinous, as these
learned philosophers imagine. 1t is upon
the supposition that their views are correct,
and that South Carolina is denied the right
to seccde, that we propose to examine it.;
for no one will contend, that if the right of
the State to secede is acknowledged by the
Federal Government, that blockade will
be attempted.
Mr.. Calhoun, our own venerated states
man, from whose lips we have so often been
taught the true theory and practical bearing
of our government, on former occasion,
explained the nature and effect of blockade
by the General Government of the ports of
South Carolina. To his great mind the
subject did not appear to be invested with
such horrible consequences to the State,
or so filled with disaster and ruin, nor did it
on that occasion so profoundly disturb the
public mind. Although threatened, it was
not attempted; for rightly considered, it was
fraught with greater difficulties to the Federal
Government than to the State.
Mr. CALHOUN, speaking of the blockade Of
our ports, used the following language;
aFecliug the force Of these difficulties, ii
is proposed, with the view, suppose, oi
disembarrassing the operation as much as
possible, of the troublesome interference o.
courts and juries to change the scene of coer
cion from land to water; as if the govern
uent could have one particle more right t.
coerce State by water than by land but
unless am greatly deceived, the difficult.
on that element will not be much less thai
on the other The jury trial, at least th
local jury trial (thc trial by the vicinage.
may, indeed, be evaded there, but in its plac
other, and not much less formidable obsta
clcs must be encountered.
aThcre can be but two modes Of cocr
cion resortcd to by water-blockade and abo
lition of the ports of entry of the State, &c
companied by penal enactments. authorizin!
seizure for entering the waters of the Stat
if the former be attempted, there will b
nthnr nartiea hnsidea the Gene 1al Gnxnnmnn