Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-03-18
THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF Sc
CESSJON.


must and will be discussed and determined by the
approaching Convention in 1851 Convention,
pregnant with issues of the most vital Importance,
involving in its decisions not only The security of
our rights and privileges at home, but equally af
fectng our honor and reputation abroad. Yet
strange to say, the most painful and alarming in
difference is manifested in regard to the approach
ing event; indeed few, if any, know or care what
those issues are, or those decisions will be. This
apparent Indifference, we must confess, e1cites
our surprise.
Six months ago, our State was a scene Of con-
,inued excitement and agitation-her present
prosperity and future welfare We're the most COM
mon themes of discussion-,he patriot and the
demagogue stepped forth together, and even the
most iiteratc, although ignorant Of the real state
of affairs. knew that something was trotten in
Denmark Now, all is hrlsl,cd in universal still
ness-thc good man speaks not, because his words
will be construed as evil-scarcely newspaper
dares to break the silence, and even the "cacoe-
Ties scribcndi'' of editors seems 10 have subsided.
The Convention is app hing with noiscless
ircad-what its conseqrI, ..res and decisions will
be seems IN inquiry among the tombs, or even in
the shades beyond them. We honestly regret this
silence and Indifference, and would innocently
ask, what means this mute discussion What,
this Fictitious dumbness!
There mas party, styling themselves Seces-
sionists,' who first proposed this Convention.
Where is that party! For long time they were
considered victors in the contesi-ther cause was
the noblest HAT could beat in human bosoms, the
most animating that conld burn upon human
tongues and We conscientously believe that at
the first blush of the question, the sympaihes of
funr-fifths OF our people were enlisted on their
side.
Another party, called Co-operalionists" gra-
dually grew into power. Wise and experienced,
they looked mainly to the end, counted chiefly the
cost, and finally out.numbered and overpowered
the Seccssonis,s. Both parties were anxious for
the safety of their country but differed as to the
means which would ensure it, While the one
cunicndrd that past issues had raised the occasion
for immediate secession from The Union, the other
thought not, but waited for some more signal
abuse. The former were for war, il necessary,
open and undsguised-the latter equally 50, "as
not behind in hate" but maintained that what
':was urged main reason TO persuade immediate
war; dissuuicd most. If Sccessionists talked
about ra!lying around their country's flag and dy-
ing amid the sacred fulds, Co-operationsls whs.
pcrcd that the day had long since passed when
the patriotism of a Curtius, or the devotion Of
nccus, could preserve the liberties of their coun.
try. If one party boasted of the honor and chival-
~ Of their gallant sac and of their readiness to
fall in defence of her altars and resides, the other
asked, "can honor set leg. or an arm, or take
away the grief Of a wound -
For long time it was the wizard speaking to
Lochel, and the indignant answer was, eco
preach TO the coward, thou dcalll-telling seer"
but at length "the field of the dead rushed red on
,l,ni- ,-I .i->usir,-if
over their brave and gallant souls: they showed
it not, still, their swords hung idly by their sides,
feeling no instructive desire to leap from their
dc,csed scabbards. They had FURNISHED anew
the rused helmets Of their fore-fathcrs; but the
cuat Of mail was too heavy for their uniried
strength anii iike the gentle Erminia when clothed
in the Of the war-like Clurinda, they trcm-
Dleu Dcieath liz nllSSiSc weight.
Shall we then say that Secessionis's. like Her
cules. commenced their laburs in the cradle, bnt.
unlike that Hero, finished them there Or That,
like tho why Knight on the field of Shrewsbury,
they are lying apparently ifecss mill the battle be
over, then to rush for,I, in all their original splcn
dor! We sincerely trust the latter, and we hon
cslly believe that they can yet occupy proud and
conspicuous position before the country, and possi
bly,, even in the approaching Convention.
1t may be asked. what will this Convention
effect! Judging from the past, and particularly
from the universal silence upon this subject, We
events cast their shadows lrfure,' it will most
certainly be TOR ct practcra nihH. We suppose
that Seccssonists and Co.opcraionists will meet
there, and what one party says is right the other,
Of coarse will say is wrong. Perhaps some modi-
fed form Of secession will be presented, the policy
of which movement, 10 say nothing of its success,
we very much doubt. Still, If The wisdom and
courage. which will be assembled at our Capital
on the fourth Monday in April next, shall decide
with unanimi,y that This policy should be adopted,
rs being necessary to our preservation from the
mcslles of Federal CONTROL we shall think it our
duty to accept and, with our poor ability, to adj
vance the scheme and its effectiveness.
Should nothing be done, we still think that
beyond the meeting and existence Of that Conven-
lion, there will be full scope for the exercise Of
whatever Of virtue and of principle has hitherto
characterised The Secessionsisof South Carolina.
And we trust they will not be found, at any time,
rccreant to the noble school of Politics to which
they belong The opportunity for a successful
venture towards the maintenance Of our rights,
upon the powerful basis of State sovereignty and
the Right Of Secession, may be nearer than many
of us in the least imagine. Let every man, who
ba,tled for the cause last year, hold himself pre-
pared to do the same next year or in any future
wear, when the "time and occasion" shall have
fully come.
In the meanwhile. let us do what we can to ad-
vance the present veal of our own beloved State,
aud to overcome the prejudices of our natural
sisters of the South. This is not Incompatible
with holding ourselves ready to 'sirike for Caro-
lima and trnc liberty" whenever circumstances
shall demand it of US, as duty we owe TO our
homes and to Heaven.
OUR EXCHANGES
WE take pleasure in adding the Musical
lEorJd:' IN our list of Exchanges, Our innuic