Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-06
Cant prooI.s, sneeeh.

We occupy nearly all of our first page this week
with speech recently delivered in Congress by our
Immediate representative, Hon. P. S. Brooks. ltis,
to our view. an effort OF no little merit. Theanguage
is plain and unaffected while the argument is sens-
BILE and clearly put. 1t would have pleased us as
whole great deal better, but for that strong leaning
towards nQfionalism evinced in one of its closing
paragraphs. 1t is not in the hearts of many of Mr.
Brooks constituency to respond with any cordIary
TO his broad American preferences ut this particular
uncture when almost the entire Northern people seem
given up to bitterness and wrath against the South
and her institutions Yet we can imagine how one,
surrounded in Washington by every thing that pro-
claims the power and resources Of ourgovernment and
living on terms Of intimacy with Northern gentlemen
Of genius and lofty tone might come totthink3by de-
grees that ours was not only great nation but one
sufficiently cemencd to withstand all tendencies to-
wards disruption We can imagine how even South
ern man, standing amid the magnificent grounds Of
our noble Capitol, looking mp towards its towering
marble walls and calling to mind the patriot sain,s
under whose direction it founded, might come to
say that he goried in! being American Thus far
should be content TO ourrepresentativc go But
if be meant to imply that "to be an American" is
cause of niger pride and graduation than "to be a,
South Carolinian," we must respectfully protest
against any such preference. If we not mistaken
it was GEORGE McDUFFrE who said that he gloried
first of all; in being 4" South Carolinian" 1t was
in of his eloquent e1rts under the brave old oaks
Of Edgeied that he declared, If asked in any cline
TO name his country his proud reply should be am
South Carolinian.' There was more in this senli-
ment than the mere declaration of nativity. 1t
veyed drec, to the hearts, of Caronans at least,
assurance that he who uttered it not only loved his
State the spot Of his birth but the nurseryor all
that he held orthodox and genuine in American poll
tics. 1t said painly-I believe in the complete SOW
eregnly of Suuth Cnrolina-I admit no superior in The
Federal Government, or in any combination of the
States which compose this Union-1 can see no hope
fur tie permanent success of the American Con(eder-
acy except in The distinct and unqualified recognition
of the rights uf the. Saes-South Carolina has ever
been the bold exponent of this creed and therefore it
is that exnlt in >answerlng-"I am South Caro.
man." When we add ito This understanding of Nc.
DUTIES whoe-souled reply, the fact that the express
sion :. am an American would seem in almost all
instances 10 signify more national tendencies than are
consunant with the politics in which we have all here
been nuriured, it occurs 10 being matter of
greet that representative should have thought fit
TO speak, at this time OF oil others.
Yet, while we cannot asa journalist forbear to no.
tce these national symptoms in our immediate Con-
gresham, we are actuaIed by nnfriendly feeling
Standing outside the charmed influences of The Cen
trail city, many homely, constituent is enabled to
discover the shoa against which his Representative is
unconsciously driving And he should at once raise
the finger Of friendly warning. This much and no
more have we intended.
We ask the careful attention Of our readers to Mr..
BRooKs' speech.