Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-06-17
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aFoRGIvE AND FORGET"

As, in the domestic Circle, tneIeJs Iio oTe uhuoio
und lovc-prescrving principle than that which the
simple phrase we have placed at the head OF TINS
article incucates as, in the social sphere, no rule
of life is more productive Of good order contentment
and friendly intercourse-so in the political world,
there is nothing more conducive to the well'beIng
and prosperity of communities and of States. We
may be permitted surmise that no one, in this en-
ligbtened Christian age, will undertake to argue the
negative of this proposition.
1t is to the peculiar adaptedness of this principle OF
action for advancing the true interests OF men, IN
political point of view, that we now desire to call the
attention of our readers.
"Forgive and forget'' Is it not the purest and the
noblest old motto of them oil! We hear an affirma-
tive response arising from every liberal and we'll
regulated mind. And yet, while the purest and the
noblest we are constrained admit that its practise
is the most arduous of human duties. Especially is
it So when called for in that political arena where
the turbulent and baneful passions of the human
heart are so frequently and unfortunately enlisted
But if the merit of any good action is to be estimated
by the difficulty of its accomplishment, then does the
political exercise, of the principle under considera.
ton, shine forth the brightest among ten thou
sand virtues, and 's altogether lovely" In compar.
ison with it, almost all other evidences of genuine
patriotism "pale their Intellectual rays" Dulce ct
decorum est pro pqtria nori' is ancient and soul
stirring maxim, and one that should be indelibly
stamped upon every patriots heart. But the hero
who falls upon the battlefield in defence of his ma
TONS flag, scarcely evnces more exalted patriotism
than does the citizen, who with high moral resolu.
tion sacrifices all political animosties and jeaousies
for the veal Of his home and his country
To apply these remarks without further general
iZng, the home and country Of every South Caro-.
linan is South Carolina-or at least of every South
Carolinian who belongs to the States Rights school
of politics, and there are but few among us who do
not claim that creed. This then being our Country
this being, in the language of McDuFFIE, " the
! home of our affections and the land of our alle-
! giance," it becomes us to ask ourselves, "what
course does duty call upon to pursue in regard to
the political divisions which have so recently torn
asunder brethren, of the faith and order as it
were" And to decide this question it is only neces-
sary to review, for single moment, The circum-
| stances which surround us.
We are in the midst of an immense Confcderacy OF
States. and the indications fearful that this Con-
fcdcracy is rapidly running into Consolidated En-
pire. To this alarming change ore all, or nearly
all, resoluiely opposed. But we have been of late
divided, most unfortunately as to the proper time and
manner of stemming the dasLng tide which is
steadily bearing down upon us. We were so much
divided as have party lines distinctly drawn and
to make party test ut the balot-box This test has
proved beyond doubt. that the voice Of the major
ity amongst was opposed to striking for our rights
alone and at the present juncture, but in favor Of
holding ourselreS IN readiness TO strike IL
should appear erpcdient SO to do. To this decision
the minority yielded with sadness it is true hut in
perfect good faith. They had Convention in their
hands with which they might have placed the major
i,y in South Carolina in position of absolute SUBJ
mission But they saw and felt that it was their
duty under the late decision at the polls, to abstain
from any step which might result in compromising
the honor and imparing the Character
mon ssnothssse might have thrown
the 0i Tie whole retreat upon their opponents.
could And especially, Us it was claimed by the
great bulk Of both parties that resistance sooner or
later was to be kept in view, as result which was
10 be regulated and determined by the time and the
OCCASION 1t was therefore thought the part Of
prudence, to say nothing of patriotism, to reconcile
past feuds and to place the State more in the
attitude Of united people, looking to and hoping for
the proper opportunity for successful resistance which
the developments Of the future might bring about
In this position the State placed by her sovereign
Convention, nearly all Of both parties agreeing there.
| to.
And now we ask both the Secessonists and the
Co.opcra,onists Of last year, is there any reason why
they should not cordially shake hands, with regret
for the past and with hope for the future Is there
any reason why they should not "forgive and forget
all unpleasant passages which may have occurred
during the heated canvass of 1851! Does not theil
duty, as patriots, demand this much at their hands
And can it be dearer to them to cherish vindctive
thoughts than TO yield to the bchests of Patriotism
Can it be that there are any among ns who would
nourish in their souls, with iendke tenacity, envy
and hatred and malice towards brother, on account
Of differences now past and gone! The very thought
is loailisome and we will not entertain it for mo-
mcnt Far more grateful is The reflection that gen
tier and nobler impulses are wont to influence the
feelings and TO prompt The actions of South Caro-
lnians. And We earnestly trust that our character
for generosity and magnanimty may not now be
perverted for tho first time in the Of our his
tory as people. We earnestly hope that the motto
Forgive and forget" (Which we now tender to both
H.. parties, which lately existed among lis, as the
brightest and most hallowed lamp by which to shape
their coursc) may be taken up and adhered TO by the
good and true men throughout borders. 1t is fol
such men that the above remarks are intended. Tt
those who are scnselcss and ill-disposed as de-
sire repetition Of the strife of last year, now tha
there is no possible ground excuse for anything
the kind, would not stoop TO address ourselves.
1t may be asked, why the necessity of these exhor
tatons to harmony and forgiveness and unity Of ac
an! Is it not already settled point throughout the
State! So we had thought and so we still hope
But we have heard so many hints and suspicious o.
ate in our District, in reference TO party line.
being still kept up in the approaching canvass ant
party candidates taking the field with expectations
party suppor,,-wc have heard such confident pro-
phecies that the under-current of party feeling will
be found, before the close Of the canvass, to be
operating strongly almost it did last year, tha
we have felt it TO be our duty, Carolininns, tc
raise our voice in remonstrance and in warning
against any such unwise and absurd divisions. And
we are confident that will be sustained in the
views have suggested by every patriot in Edge
field District
1t has been nnated that the Secession party are
chiefly anxious for this restoration of cordial friend
sp-and it is suspected that the fact Of their being
in minority is the real cause Of their strenuous ad
vocacy Of peace. We regard the in,imation q high
compliment to the tone Of the Secessionists and the
suspicion, us ungenerous as it appears to us to be
oroI,ndIpss