Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-10-09
OUR OUTSIDE

Mr.. PERRIS'S Is a long letter, and we'll written.
In one place he says: "They Qle immediate Sc
cessionists)propose 10 sccedc solitary and alone"
and what then! Clouds and darkness rest upon
the future"
We beg leave TO reply in paraphrase upon Ills
own language. They (AIr. PERRIN and others
propose to acquiesce inde(niley-and what then. .
Clouds and darkness hang upon heir future also.
If, as Mr.. PERRIN seems TO admit, there be 4 bal
ancc of probabilities behind the curtain of that
future, it cannot be doubted that the Right clear
and indisputable, will be mih the State IS ACTION
and this surely ought to make the anti-aclion end
Of the scales kick the beam in IL twinkling.
In reference TO Mr.. PERRIN's stress upon ga
change of government we would respectfully
put to him the following question: g: Is the simple
withdrawal of an independent State, from
league, 4 change of that States government!
Upon the point Of State pledges we recommend
to all, Chancellor WARRLAw's high.toned view
with or without pledges" says the Chancellor,
IL cannot tolerate tic idea of submission
The letter of Mr. PRESTON, which follows, is
brief. He does not pretend 10 enter into anything
like an argument.
But Mr.. Owens does. 1t is our opinion, how
ever, that n considerable portion of this gentle
mans argument goes directly to prove that the
Southern States must eventually come TO Carroll.
mas side, and form, with her, slavery confedera.
cy. If, as he maintains, the extinction of our
great domestic institution will be the inevitable
result Of our separate existence. can he or any
other rational man imagine that the States, which
live by the identical institution, will remain I'M
concerned witnesses of its overthrow! If South
Carolina becomes, by the act of secession, :: the
peculiar exponent Of this institution, to destroy
whose existence the 90 English Lion will "sprng
from his lair" would she be left 10 bear a; shock
alone! Would tic South permi. the imsnoIa.ion
Let wisdom decide According to Mr.. O's views,
great struggle with Abolition which some think
inevitable. Even upon this ground is itnot better
TO do anything that will bring that struggle about
before the chances of maintaining ourselves with
success are irreparbly lost! Let the far-seeing
statesman reply. Reply! did We say. One, who
had not his equal in modern times, has answered
the question in advance. Thatvery Palinurus, 10
whom nllusion is made, spoke to this effect in one
of his latest efforts: =" If this opportunity is sul-
fered by the South 10 pass unimproved, all is lost"
And we have il upon the most sacred and unim-
peachable authority (,he testimony of al inteli.
gent, honorable and devoted son, who watched
his death-bed) that one Of his latest political ex-
pressions was: IF the California Bill passes.
and no other State will act, South Carolina MUST
ACT ALONE"
Mr.. OWENS remarks in another place, when
speaking of certain advantages thai might accrue
to us in 4 separate existence: 80 ii is recent,
very recent dicovery, that the Tariff of 'l6 is op-
pressive to slavery This looks something like
coming 10 that platform which says-wc are doing
well enough now, why changc' But did it never
occur TO Mr.. OwEHS that considerable reduction.
of the Tariff of '+6 cven might advance the III
teress of the Southern farmers beyond lllcir pre-.
sent condition!
Mr. OWENS concludes his letter with some alu-
sion II the taunt Of treason which he seems 10 think
was hurled against the Hamburg meeting. which
our readers may remember. occurred some time
ago. We have forgotten the Use of any such
taunt in application 10 that aSsembagc. We re-
member seeing it stated that Mr.. Owens had en-
trely changed his opinions since last winters
session; that, however, is far from being the def
milton Of treason. 1t is 4 right Of conscience,
which every one is bound in duty TO exercise upon
conviction of error. But we dismiss Dir. OWENS
letter with the remark, that it is written very well
and evinces an ingenuity worthy of a stronger
cause.
Mr. BoYcEs letter is last upon the list (exccpt
the short note of Chancellor WAEDLAw) and is
perhaps the most epigrammalic in appearance of
all. Were every if" a demonstration, his views
would be irresistible, on the point of separate ma
tionaiiy at least But such is not the case, and
our old friends letter must therefore be taken in
its true light-as succession Of speculative sug-
gestions. They may have force, but it remains to
be proved. No man in the Cooperation ranks is
more capable of doing this, il il can be donc than
the talented and esteemed companion of our more
youthful days. We arc constrained 10 think that
even he would falsllorl Of accomplishing The task
We regret to perceive that his aversion to r.king
separate accn is so great that he prefers rather to
acquiesce in the wrongs of The past, and trust to
the chances of the South becoming united by fur
her nggrcssions. Such indeed seems 10 be the fairly
inferabe position of all the letter-wrlers we have
thus briefly reviewed.