Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-03-16

between the State and Federal authorities;
and experience has shown that the harmony
aud happiness of our people must depend up
OIL n Just discrimination between the scpa.
rate rights and responsibilities of the States,
and your common rights and obligations un-
der the General Government. And here, in
my opinion, are the considerations which
should form the true basis Of future concord
in regard to the questions which have most
seriously disturbed public tranquility. If the
Federal Government will coutine itself to the
exercise of powers clearly granted by the
Constitution, it can hardly happen that its
action upon any question should endanger
the institutions of the States, or interfere with
their right to manage matters strictly domes-
tic according to the will Of their own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an
important subject, which has recently agita.
ted the nation to almost fearful degree, |
am moved by no other impulse than most
earnest desire for the perpetuation OF that
Union which has made us what we are
showering upon us blessings, and comforting
power and influence which our fathers
could hardly anticipated. even with their
most sanguine hopes directed to far of
future. The sentiments | now announce
were not unknown before the expression OF
the voice which called me here. My own
position upon this subject was clear and une,
auivocal, upon the record of my words and
nv acts, and it is only recurred to at this
time because silence might, perhaps, be mis-,
construed. With the Union my best and
dearest hopes are entwned. Without It,
what are we, individually or collectively
What becomes Of the noblest field ever open
ed for the advancement of our race, IN reli.
pion, in government, in the arts, and in all
that dignilies and adorns mankind! :! From
that radiaut constellation, which both lllu,
mines our own way and points out to strug'
olinu nations their course, let but single
star be lost, and if there be no utter dark
ness the lustre of the whole is dimmed. Do
my countrymen need any assurance that sucn c!
a catastrophe is not to overtake them "hile
| possess the power to stay it! 1t is with
me an earnest and vital belief that, as the
Union has been the source, under Providence
of our prosperity to this time, so it is the
surest pledge Of continuance of the bless
ings we have enjoyed, and which we arc
sacredly bound to transmit undiminished tt
our children. The field of calm and free dis
cussion in our country is open, and will al
WAYS be so, but it never has been and neve
can be traversed for good in a spirit of sec
tionalism and uncharitableness. The foun
ders of the Republic dealt with things a
they were presented to them, in spirit o
self.sacrifcing patriotism, and, as time ha
proved, with comprehensive wisdom, whlcI
it will always be safe for US to consult
Every measure tending to strengthen tn
fraternal feelings of all the members of GU
Union has had my heartfelt appreciation
TO every theory of society or government
whether the offspring Of feverish ambition
, of morbid enthusiasm, calculated to dissolv
f the bonds of law and affection which unit
US, shall interpose ready and stern resls
5 tance. believe that involuntary scrvltud'
as it exists in different States of this Contee
t cracy, is recognised by the Constitution.
believe that it stands like any other admltte
, right, and that the States where it exists al
G entitled to efficient remedies to enforce Il
< constitutional provisions. | hold that II
i. laws of 1850, commonly called the econ