Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-12-01

( evidence had been given that Its outward pro-
grcss towards consolidated despctism was
stayed, or that any barrier had been erected
against that tide of Gnaticism, which, with fear
full rapidity, was still rolling on, threatening the
overthrow of the institutions of the South. No
security was afforded US that we should net for
ever remain in a state of vassalage to the Feder-
al Government, paying far beyond our just pro-
portion of its expenses, and receiving far less
than our share of the benefit Of its expenditure.
Nor do believe that any change had taken place
in the feelings and opinions of the people of the
State. An almost universal feeling of indigna-
tion at our wrongs, and a bt1rning desire to re-
dress them, prevailed. But discord and party
strife, which have blasted the success of many q
glorious cause, had raised its head among us,
and paralyzed our strength. One party believed
that the time had come when every considers.
ton of policy and duty required that the State
should act, even though it should stand alone.
Another party believed the separate action Of
the State would be ruinous, and that the coop
cration of the other Southern States, whose in
tercsts and destiny were the same rs ours, could
and would be obtained No doubt but that both
parties were honest in their convictions, that the
the welfare of our State. The discussion of
these conflicting opinions produced the Gitterest.
party feeling. Amid the tonvtllsive throes of
this fierce strife, the question Of our wrong was
almost forgotten. Thus did our State present
the mournlul spectacle of people, whom conf
mon wrongs and common dangers should have
united in closest bonds, completely prostrated
and paralyzed, not by force and power of the
enemy, but by their own internal strifps. TWAS
too plainly seen that any action, Under existing
al, b,,t
destruction Many a bold and gallant heart,
that had never quaiIcd before TO power of tho
Federal Government, grew faint at the prospect,
The people had, by large majority, passed
election which had been recently held for men,
cumstances, the Convention met. The only
course which wisdom and patriotism could sug-
gest, namely, to heal the wounds which had re.
Gently been inflicted, and rc.unite the State.
can but congratulate you OIL the happy result.
spirit worthy of the palmiest days of the Com
ings which had been generated by the late con-
test, and act with an eye single 10 the good Of
the State, under the circumstances which then
object, that any sacrifice Of principle was in
volved. The principles which have ever been
held dear amongst us, were not only reaiirmed,
but set forth in the solemn form of an Ordinance.
But sincerely as feel the qualification Of au-
most call upon you to remember that our safe
ty has not yet been secured. The storm which,
one day or other, is destined to burst upon US, K
is still brewing. The great feature Of fsthe Com.s
promise Isinducrd sistS e1tEsSR
States 70 HccpPU II, nls UEuuTuPeufy
one of the Northern States, the Fugitive Slave
Law has been nulIiicd and III ill the others it
is but dead letter. A brutal murder of n slave
holder has brcn the result Of an attempt to
reclaim slave under this mitch vaunted law.
The spirit of mischief is working with fearful
energy. Agitation still goes on with ccaSeless
activity. Every clement which can be made to
operate on public cpluon is put III action against
our institutions. Even that powerful weapon,
the Literature of the country, is employed to
direct its polished but poisoned shafts against
them. Ii is true that nothing has been done by
Congress, since your last Session; against which
we can complain. Judging, However, from the
elements which are at work. aud from the history
of The past, we cannot hope that this cessation
from hostile acts against our institutions will be
of long duration. Amid all our prosperity,
and the still greater prosperity which we would
enjoy if left alone, the heart sckens at the con-
temptation of that fierce fanaticism which is at
work, and which still hangs like pail upon our
future. However strong may be my convictions
us to the propriety of an attempt tn stay the
coming storm by the separate action Of the State;
and however deeply may ,leplore the decision
to which our people have come upbh this sub
jcct, God forbid that | should fan into Aamo
the expiring embers of party strife. by nowre-
commencing it TO you. Our destiny, for veal
or for woe, is connected with the whole South.
Further aggrcssions (Which will surely come)
will convince our sister Southern States that the
institution upon which not only the prosperity
of the South, but RcpubIicanis,n itself depends,
is no longer safe in the Union. Then we may
hope that they will rise in the majesty of their
strength and spirit, and In conjunction with us,
either force our rights to be respected in the
Union, or take our place as Southern Confed-
eraey among the nations of the earth. In the
meantime, let us unite, heart and hand, in carry.
ing out those great schemes of internal improve.
ment, by which the wealth and resources Of our
State will be developed, and thus give it all the
power and strength Of Which it is capable.
JOHN II. MEANS.
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