Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-17
Hon, L, M, Keitt,

WE observe that this gentleman has taken ground
boldly against the new order Of Know Nolhings His
speech upon the subject have not yet chanced to
see. 1t was replied to by Mr.. SoLLERs (Know Moth
ing) of Maryland In the course of his remarks, the
latter gentleman took occasion to aude nvdiously to
The notification and secession parties Of South Carroll
na whereupon Mr.. kEITT made The following spirited,
impromplu rejonder:
Mr.. Keitt-The gentleman from Maryland (Alr Sol
ers has introduced here what he is pleased to call the
northern extreme and the southern extreme in conunc-
tion. This, sir, is matter of taste, and, when not
connected with anything personal and offensive, may
be allowed to pass. He spoke of notification and Sc
cesson, and said The KnowfNuhings We're opposed TO
them as violently as ioAbolitionsm. Sir, accept the
admission As my friend from Virginia tNlr. Letcher)
has yielded to me the floor for moment, shall make
a few remarks.
Sir, the principle of notification has been illustrated
by the nob!est inteects of my State. 1t has been H.
Illustrated and expounde,l by Calhoun, Hayne McDufie,
and Pres and that host OF great minds which pour
ed spendur upon the annals Of Carolina in 1882 Sir,
it was party of brave men and free men. In times
Of trouble and danger, South Carolina had made heavy
sacrifices OF blood and treasure for the Union but
when insuferable wrong was Inflicted upon her, she
took her safety into her hands, and gathered her
children around her redress her wrongs and main
tain her rights and sovereignty. Yes, sir, she gathered
together to de- end her rights, and strike this Coy,
ernmen if it dared to invade her. This, sir she did
openly, in the eye of the sun. She did not gather
them in midnight hour, and in suberranean caves, to
conceal her purpose. No Catilille was there, with
brand and dagger fostering in midnight conspiracy,
and in senate hall next day. when disclosures were
made, protesting to be " Know Nothing" Sir, she
rallied her sons under her own sovereign flag, and
whoever the foe of that g their foe. in this
struggle, sir, South Carolina yielded not her rights and
sovereignty. Thus much for notification
Now, sir, for secession was a member Of that
party. In 1850, advocated the policy of South Car
oina interposing her sovereignty as shield between
her citizens and the ontrages of this Government The
spirit Of resistance Federal aggressions was univcr
sal throughout the State, but we differed as 10 the
mode and measure" of redress. Sir advocated the
policy of secession and The principle lying founda
ton-the principle of Stat. sovereignty-l will defend
u the last The policy Of the secession party was, in
virtue of State sovereignty, TO retire from the Federal
compact and if you dared 10 assail US, to meet you
upon the open field, meet you with bow and brand,
and fight the quarrel. Sir owe allegiance TO my
State and only through her to The Federal Government
Whenever she recalls that allegiance have no fur
ther connection with the Federal Government, and
scorn your clamors, and trampe upon your hosannas
10 the Union.
Sir, regret that the gentleman from Maryland has
introduced the notification and secession party in
jriapoStion with the Ablition party; but, he has
unequivocally discaimed anything personal or often
sive, shall make no personal reply to him. only
desire to say the House, that member Of the
secession party of South Carolina, and whoever says
aught against the honor or character of that party
will answer with mOnoSylable.