Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-15
G.: and fespelr6ilify rs dfls1iihct

indcpea1ditcsa:c:ie.ah fespe5r5ilffy as Tdis1inc
nation and secondly, that should it pursue
Il different treatment towards us, by cstab
fishing floating custoni-housc in Charleston
harbor, we would be utterly disconnected
ruined, undonc. a.
Now The experience of military men has
taught us, that it is much casicrto fake strong
positions than to maintain them. Let us cx.
anime the arguments adduccd by '.IEdcpcn-
dcnce," to prove that we COULD not govern
ourselves and command respect, if left alone
by the United States. He urges. that delicate
negotiations are 10 be entered into and COM
pletcd.-That is true, but we have men among
us competent 10 the task of negotiaton-
some at least, that the Government at Wash
ington, great and wise as it is, has been will
ling 10 employ. And if justice should be
denied us in The transaction, there would be
no change Of issne, but mere pretext by Il
stronger power 10 reduce us TO subiccion TO
its will. apprchcnd too, that the nations of
the earth, and The other Sta:es of the con-
trderacy would have aslutcncss enough 10
penetrate Tie designs Of the government.
But, the United States own valuable real
estate in The heart of our metropolis in the
preservation OF which our sisters of the South
would be interested against Us. There is
one cus!om-house, in the city Of Charleston.
surely not bribe, in the estimation of this wri-
Ter, sufficient, to induce Genrgans and Ala
bamians Ia cut the throatS OF their brethren
of South Carolina Verify according to this
view, our brothers are the vilcst robbers.
think we had better have 70 league with men
of that cast. If five millions of men will
open our veins for 50 small an amount us orc
custom-houSc, in opposition to their own
safety and freedom, they will do it in positive
sport. But cschcw this supposiiion rs un-
worthy of the Southern people, passive as
they now arc.
We are informed again, that should all
adiuslcd. we would still have insupcrablc
difficulties 10 contend against.-W'c would
have government, and departments of 90
vcrnmcni 10 organize, and clerks to employ
without money to pay them. When this OBJ
jrclion is Sc iuusly examined. il ought to make
the objcclor blush for its fuliliiy. How
many departments, does great and indepcn-
drni government usually have? Let them
be named,-Say, the nc pariment of State,
under lis Secretary, the Judiciary. the Navy,
the Treasury and the Post Office Department.
rlow many of these departments does our
State government now lack? We have the
best Judiciary in the land. which is well paid
for by our present taxes We have The depart
m2nt Of Slaic, of the Treasury, and pretty
good War Department: and the only new
Departments TO be established. will be the
Post Office department, and the Navy, and
perhaps the department of The Interior, if we
are inclined 10 cherish the illustrious example
of the government of The United Stalcs-
Besides I'LL this, we have House and Senate.
and Mr.. Houston says, a hereditary nobility.
together with 4 Governor, who can very well
supply the place of 4 President and with
little attention we can have the best Consi-
tuition on earth. Now any man of inform,-
tion must admit. that though these various
departments would require some new mod
Cling. that their increased expenses could
not be very heavy. If we are to have no
sources Of revenue, besides direct taxation,
us Inc correspondent Of the Advertiser sup
poses, then the Treasury is already amply
provided with officers. As 10 the Post Office
department. it will be Il source Of income, and
nothing else. A very intelligent gentleman
OF my acquaintance, and Of high character,
who is extensively employed in carrying the
United States mails, proposes to transport
the whole mail of South Carolina, without
one dollar Of expense to her govcrnment-.I
Heproposcs TO make money TOO by the con-
tract. As to the establishment Of Il mint,-
if have the bullion, we will consider it,
very light matter to give it tho right stamp
| thought we were to be too poor to need Il
mint. The Navy department and our foreign
will constitute an additional item
of expense. But to balance that item. we
will have the income from the Post Office,
which will be considerable, and if we are
by the United States govern
mcnt according 10 that position of" lndcper-
dencc," which | am row arguing, we will
have, in addition, all the money we now pay
into the Treasury of the General Govern
mcnt.
1t cxc;es my disgust, when hear educa-
ted gentlemen asserting that State however
small, cannot pay for the support of her own
government. 1t looks like appealing to the
Sordid passions Of the most vulgar men-
Does the United States not have govern
mgnt pcrvading our own State, with federal
officers exercising jurisdiction in our midst,
and paid from our own pcckcis Are Our
members 10 Congress moi paid, Indirectly by
the people of South Carolina! In the event
of a peAccablc separation. woul not all this
money be paid into The Treasury Of this
State? Sume are disposed TO complain of
the tax Of 100000 dollars by the last Legis-
lature for their actual protection from slavery,
when if they will examine the books of the
Treasury ut Washington, they will find that
they really paid the last year. near 100000
dollars, to the United States Government. for
nothing but the expressions and degradation,
That have been fixed and riviicd upon them,
in return for their just sentiments Of loyalty,
and devotion TO their country.
lftoo. we are permitted to retire quietly
from the Union, the State of South Carolina
will undoubtedly be entitled to receive the
duties on Imports, which are now collected
by the Custom House Officers of the Govern
ment. The present Tariff is said to average
about 80 per cent. The Exports of South
Carolina exceed $l2,OOO.OOO, and her direct
Imports would equal or exceed that amount,
if she were nm Independent State, and per-
mittcd 10 enjoy her trade Unrestricted. They
would propably reach $l5,000.0O0, becau C
our citizens would require no protection for
manufactures. and 20 per cent duties would
cunnlv us with uu rmuln rnvnrun An imnn-