Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-06-17
From the Charleston Mercury.


Messrs Editors Your position in reference
to the Presidential Election is that which best
becomes the Democratic Party of this State. In
politics as in morals. it is only the first down.
ward step which is difficult That taken, the
first scruple overcome, the first act Of dcinqucn.
ey committed, and the downward progress is
easy; the sense of right and wrong becoming
more and more bluncd, until it is entirely de-
siroycd. lfany one dpatt this, let him rcmcm.
Der the original position of the Southern Rights
Party in some OF the Southern States in refer
cncc 70 the so called Compromise. They man.
fully declared at first, that it was degrading and
Insulting to the South. Then, alas! for the
South, It becomes cxpcdicnt to acquicsce, to
submit, though approval could not be given.-
This nice distinction, if it have any foundation,
can have only that of necessity. And where
was the necessity! Why only in the supinencss
and blindness of southern men. A supineness
absorbing paralyzing, corrupiing Influence Of
and first there ensaving the politicians, is spread
itself felt in the furlhcst corners of the land.
Well, acquirscencc, the first step consented to,
and where already is the proud, ligh-toncd
Southern Rights party. We turn to The plat
form of The Baltimore Convcnlion-wc expect
to find there something TO bolster up at least the
consistency of tho acqnicscing non-approvcrs
The trumpet blast has died away, and in some
thing between Il whisper and n whinc we are
told that the "cifurts of tile aboi,iOniss arc
calculated to lead to the most alarming and dam
gerous consequences and ought not to be coun-
tcnanccd by amy friend of our political iusti,u-
tons" Ought not to be rountcnanccd. Has
it indeed conc TO this that in an assembly at
which southern men assisted this further dcgra-
dailon, this gross insult was pcrpc'ratcd without
one word OF defiance or resentment. Not only
so, but we, IN South Carolina. are asked to rati-
fy and approve! We, despoiIcd of our rights,
despiscd, kicked, are lumbly, hat in hand, to
turn to our leaders with "plcase sir don't help
our masters TO beat u.s."
Nlessrs Editors, it is not to Carolina chivalry,
it is to Carolina scIf.rcspcct appeal, when
ask, shall VIC bow our lads to this too? Do
You not see that the d inward progress to po-
itical degradation, is like that to moral ruin,
easy and rapid after the first step? South Caro-
inn-wc say II with pridc-has not acqncsced.
All parties have, so far, agreed in disclaiming
acquicsccrcc; indeed her Convention has SOL
cmuly declared that, so far from ac0uicscing,
she merely forbears resistance BY every mo-
tive of honor, Of decent sclE-respcct, of princi-
pie, we arc required not to depart from this po-
silion.
! might further urge that there is no great
party policy that we can promote by identifying
ourselves with this Baltimore crowd Who can
maintain the soundncss of the Democratic party
on the questions of Internal improvements of
Economy, Rctrcnchmont, and the Public Lands!
The ''cohesive principle of pundcr," that is the
glue which nowadays holds together parties,
like cracked vessels Yet South Carolina proudly
holds herself aloof from these undigncd con-
tenlons and intrgues. One word more that
we may not be misunderstood. When the
time comes for the State 10 choose between
Mr.. Pierce and the nominee of the Wings, she
will, doubtless, as between the two, vote for the
former, unless III The meantime there occur
grave reasons for different course. But let it
be done in silence, and as Il necessity. Let us
not loss our caps and beat our drums as though
u victory had been achieved, when in truth
whatever man may be elected, our oppression is
written in the Statute Book, and we remain in
what we have declared to be, condition amply
justifying resistance. While we consider it en-
pcdicnt to forbcar that resistance, let US quietly
attend to our own business ut home, develope
our resources, and live in hope, and he above
the contemplate expcdient of putting OF the
airs and attempting the shouts Of Il victor.
a DEMOCRAT OF TEE OLD School.
IF You wish to re-fasten the loose handles Of