Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-02-26
SOUTHERN FRIENDSHIPS.

| hold that with this understanding Va ''e e>f
sion. nothing is now Of greater importance 10
Southern interests than the business ot cemenune
| these same eSou,lern friendships" Nor can
anv more praisc-worthy effort claim the true pa
,r;o,s attention than one having in view this most
desirable end.
Tho States of the South; although distinctly
separated by territorial lines and CIVIL par'''ofs'
are still identified with each other more l'lofous"
ly than any other communities the "orio nus ever
known. AS has been often and truly saio' lhey
are bound together by the strongest anu most en-
during ties of feeling and of interest. Ihey nave
the same rewards in the future, and mus lheir
homes are similar-lhe same dangers, and thus
their apprehensions are nlike-the same house.
hold privileges to defend and preserve, and thus
the ambition of one is that of all-the same social
advantages to uphold and maintain, and thus the
interest of one is that Of all. Such being the
laws of attraction continually operating upon
,hem it is indeed surprising that they should ever
fail to move together in solid column upon any ana
every great question of American policy. That
New York and Georgia should pull in opposite
directions is no cause of wonder. (Soon indeed
the wonder will be that they pull together at all
But that Georgia and South Carolina should ever
be At variance on any essential point IS almost an
absurdily. Yet it is true that these very States
lave differed, time and again, on questions deeply
affecting their most vital interests.
In searching for the causes which have led 10
this singular esirangement, we find two principal
ones which are almost entirely chargeab!e with
having brought about this result. One is the
Maelstrom influence of the National party diri'
sions. Til. other is morbid jealousy. which has
usurpcd the place OF that generous rivalry which
should exist between neighburing and kindred
sisters.
BY cradicaling this latter cause, we will have
gone far towards correcting the former. 10
achieve both should he the heartfelt wish OF
every Sou,herner-and, next to his religious and
domestic duties, this great object should receive
his constant and earnest consideration. II should
he one of the chief purposes of the Legislator,
ever present to the minds of those who have
charge Of the Press and foud for reflection to
every intelligent citizen by the quiet Of his own
heartil.stnne.
in South Carolina, there has heretofore existed
decidedly clannish spirit-and, to say the truth,
we have been amorg those who have encouraged
| il. Because, although we are well aware thai II
was feeling somewhat akin TO selfishncss, yet we
thought certain degree of it necessary 10 Keep
alive that proud spirit Of independence, which
was want 10 characterize our people. But lSo!
has come and gone, leaving us painfully sensible
of the truth that our State no longer pretends 10
the spir. of by-gonc days. And now we are
disposcd to say Z" fling cannishness TO the dogs.
Inasmuch as its only virtue has fled. let us rid
ourselves also of its attendant evils by hanshing
it from our thoughts forever. In its place, let us
foster that more enlarged Southern pride-thosc
more comprehensive views Of Southern aiiilla-
ton, upon which we are now instructed to de-
pend rs the only efficient safeguard Of either
Southern or States Rights. We turn from the
:" old love- to the "new" with less OF sorrow
than we at frs, .an.ssnstcd because, while
thereby bidding adieu. 10, hemotion associated
will, some of the most brilliant "reminiscences oi
.. the old Carolina State we are com!ortcd ny
the belief that what is lost;to our peculiar fame
NAV vet be atoncd foT by our modest yet urtirlns
cxcr,ions in the common Southern cause. The
first step towards this work then, we repeat,
! should he to throw Off that now useless garb Of
clan.ism-and thus take away one cause of the
jealousy which has been engendered towards us
among some of our sister Southern States.
Then, let lis open the door at every proper
time and in every becoming manner 10 The In
crease and strengthening Of those friendly reia.
,ions, which should, and perhaps will, at no dis
,ant day result in drawing the Southern
States or n majority Of them, into permanent
and indssoIublc union-an union Of cnnfidlng
/! friendship as we'll as Of fixed nna identical in
tercs,s. in what manner this should he done.
we do not propose to designate particularly at
this time. Suffice it 10 say that, in all our future
legislation and general intercourse, this motive
should become our guiding star. !! faithfully
followed, it will lead us to the accomplishment o
many acts resulting in reciprocal benefits and
mutual kndness-it will lead us TO The cultivation
of constantly courteous and liberal in,cr-commun.
ing, one with another-it will lead us to far
more perfect approximation OF tone md scatl-
mcnt than now exists. And thus the day may
possibly yet come, when the Southern States
shall be consolidated for all purposes Of outward
defence, while still single and independent in the
control of their internal affairs. Thon will De-
mocracy and Whiggery cease 10 possess the
wa,ch.word spell, which they now exert TO tic
confoundng Of Southern slrcngth-and the bal.
nnce Of American power will rest securely upon
the homogeneous basis Of Southern institutions.
But in the meantime, vast work is 10 be
achieved, and the increase md firm establish
ment of what we have termed " Southern friend
ships" is among the most essential parts Of that
undertaking. We call upon every friend Of the
South 10 turn his thoughts continually into this
channel, that the talcntsazf Southern men may
yet come together and exert their united strength
for the perpetuation Of our civil and domestic
blessings. Otherwise there is imminent danger
of both being sacrificed by the fiat Of Federal
rule.
Be it understood, that all we have said above,
which might have the appearance of changing
ground, is based upon the assumption that Carroll
M will never dare TO act alone in defence OF her
rights. But should it prove otherwise, then our
watch-word shall still be "Carolina and Separate
Action" For under that motto 1--WE still belcve)
Southern independence could be most speedily
and efIectuully secured.