Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-04-15
THE CONVENTION.


THE CONVENTION.
THIS body meets on the twenty.sixth instant.
We have before this expressed our astonshment
at the silence with which it approaches and the
apparent Indifference manifested in regard to its
proceedings. There is calm and quiet, at pres
ent in our State, amounting almost 10 Iethean
sleep, which we think augurs badly, especially
npon the eve Of the assembling of a Convention,
full of exciting interest, and pregnant with issues
of the most vital importance. IT'S in the deepest
stiffness, when all is hushed in sleep, scum quies
morialibus aegris," that the wolf walks abroad in
search Of his victim, and we very much fear, al
though our people lave been lulled into security
by prOpitious appearances, that the under current
flows deep and strong, and that its waters are still
troubled and bitter. That there must be some
secret movement on foot, seems probable from the
fact that neither party will disclose its intentions
to tile other. Mutual dlstrust undoubtedly exists
between them, and he who would proclaim the
movements Of his party, is as guilty as was, in
olden times, the divulger of Eleusnan mysteries.
Again, Convention clothed with unlimited power
be done! Power is always used, and most general
ly abused. and if this Convention effect nothing,
then it will be most remarkable instance, and
almost a contradiction of the past.
Secessionists will have their measures to pro-
pose, and Co-operaionsts theirs; the result to be
apprehended is that neither party will accede to
the propositions Of the other and of course issue
will be joined Indeed the srark is only to be struck
to kindle the flame. The seemingly propilious
breeze is often the prelude of a ruder gale.
There may be found there 4 party, intent upon
plunging the State into abect submission. OF
course they will not do it openly and directly, for
the very sound CRATES upon the ear of a freeman.
But of times the yoke is placed upon our necks
before we know 1t, and the whip and spur applied
nd Ebitum, and We find out too late that kicking
only makes the matter worse.
Suppose, for instance, that the prop0ser Of the
:'Parsh Blll'' would move for the abolition ol
the present representation in the Parishes, and ii
were carried, Us we seriously apprehend it might
be- This would amount in The end 10 submission
for it would undoubtedly form TWO deeply hostile
parties in our State. And if, rs it is argued, we
are even while united too weak to assert our
rights, we should be, if divided, fit only for sub
unit &Is1zp rnat no suCrilruempt VIII
be made, and merely express the suppositon
through sense of duty. We believe that the at-
tention of our people ought TO be called TO every
question which may by any possibility be sprung
upon US at this trying juncture
For ourselves, we cannot avoid the conviction
that there is too much honesty and patriotism,
among the Members Of the Convention, TO permit
thwart their action from the special purposes con-
templatcd in the Bill which called them into exist
encc. Our conviction is still stronger that any
movement, at this time, calculated 10 increase
those internal divisions which have already nearly
ruined lis, will be frowncd down and crushed in
its very incipiency.
And yet the question rccurs, cannot something
be done, which, while it shall speak well for the
spirit Of our people, shall not involve the dcpOra-
bic consequence of further division! Cannot
Scccssionsts and Co.operatiuniss. with feelings
of brulhery kindness and iillial devotion TO the
honor of Carolina, agree at least TO emblazon, as
it were upon our very Coat o! Arms, the addi-
lonal motto of ''Thc Right of Secession-ours
from the foundation of the Rcpublic--ours to It's
latest age - Where is the proposition, to this
effect, which we understand to have been sug.
gestcd by the venerable CnEvEs! Will poor
Carolina shrink from doing al least thus much !!
Last year nine tenlhs of both parties were agreed
upon this point. Are they not so still! Is there
danger of incurring the anahemas of Federal Au-
lhorty by few strokes Of a Frccman's pen. de-
claring to the country that we have not yielded
our rights by acquiescence and proclaiming that
we are still united people, determined, at the
first propitious moment TO maintain those rights to
the last extremity Will there be treason, or even
imprudencc, in taking this position! We cannot
think SO for an instant. And we trust that some
thing Of the kind, wisely conceived and briefly
expressed, may be passed by an overwhelming
vote of our Convention. Complete silence and
inaction would be preferable to anything short
of this.