Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-11-07
.1yuAT ARE WE TO Do.n

in the Presidential canvass, except as they might prove
valuable incidents in uniting some at least Of the
Southern States, we know no reason why we should
be called to an account in so lligh.handed way.
Who does the " Mercury represent, or our humble
self either! Are we The State Are we the opponents
even Of majority Of the State! The last four years
ought 10 have satisfied that we are far from it. We
both belong to defeated party in South Carolina; |;
and in still doing best, independent journalists,
for the common good Of section, we should endea'
vor at least to heed each others suggestions in kindly
mood, remembering that we have had the misfortune
of failing together in some Of our highest aims.
The question, about which we happen to differ with
the Mercury" at present, would seem to resolve it.
self into this phase among Others, viz: whether we
shall at once put good and true men in such position
as will enable them best 10 NATURE the part Of our
State, full communion with those other sister States
which are identified with her in destiny-or whether
we shall stand still and risk par tial representation Of
South Carolina in the National Convention, the effect
of which may be to place the political power OF tho
State in the hands Of one two skiul politicians
The views we have expressed in the matter have moth.
ing to do with the idea of ailiang with the general
Democratic party of the North, but spring solely and
purely from an increasing conviction tina, our best
hope lies in concert Of action with our Southern neigh
bors If our Governor, for instance, were to open
correspondence with Gov. JOHNSON, of Georgia, Gov
WINSTON of Alabama, and Gov. WISE OF Virginia.
there is very little doubt but that much good might be
done towards producing an understanding with the
States they REPRESENT previous to the election oil dele
pa,es TO the Cincinnati convention. And il We could
get those delegates act in good faith together this
would Of itself be the basis Of future organization and
power. Indeed any two Southern delegations might
either control the principles Of the Convention, or, It
that were impossible, overthrow its moral power.
Lord MANSFIELD once observed that "as circum.
stances alter things themselves must change" md
there is wisdom in the remark. Apply the truth to
our own case. Heretofore, it was we of the Souh
who complained Of the enaclments of the Federal
Government, of the United States Bank, the Tariff,
Internal improvements &c. But now it is the people
of the North wllu are clamorous. They are calling
for repeal of the Nebraska bill and the fugitive slave
law, and for restoration Of the Missouri Compromise
They are crying out for the abolition Of slavery in the
District of Columbia and the regulation Of tho slaro
trade between the States The admission Of another
slave State into the Union they declare they will not
endure patiently The grievance would appear to be
now all on their side. Lately it was on ours. When
We or AMI portion of u.s. acted or proposed anything
by way OF redress, it produced division amongst our
selves and our weakness was byword with our op.
ponents But now they are compelled 10 act and We
can take advantage Of their divisions They are on
the offensive-we on the defensive. There is now no
H. &c tlv
division to speak OF. In South Carolina at least, we
are all, Democrats ard Know Nothngs, ready to stand
or fall by the Georgia platform. The whole South,
it is 10 be expected will take lower ground. At
the North, the Democrats have gone down before the
fusion of their varied political antagonists. The
Democratic party being to great extent without
power in the Northern States, the General Convention
necessarily falls under the control Of the South, our
strength standing unbroken and perhaps more conso
dated than ever before. Under these circumstances,
to 90 untedly into the meeting of May next may be
the very thing for harmonizng the power Of The South
1t is not unlike the state Of things in Jeliersons time,
whom he organised of members Of Congress.
to make nominations, calling together the Republican
party as il was then styled. He we'll knew that large
majority of the party were from the South and would
of course always control the nominations. So II ID
with the Democratic party now. And call for
General Democratic Convention Is but little more than
a call for the power of the South to be organized in
the coming election. There is change in the cir
cumstance, the country and should not disregard
its probable effects. We gain thereby the opportunity
10 strike not for the "spoi|s Of office" the Mer
curry" charitably nmates, but for the power Of the
South in controlling the desnes Of the Republic or,
if we fail in that, we may have at least secured
commencement for the after organization of the States
of tho South. What we have deemed worthy Of sun
gestion then is that look sacredly to more per-
feet union with Virginia. Georgia and the other South.
ern States-and that we the election Of delegates
to the Convention as means cf putting ourselves in
direct sympathy with them. It would seem to be our
duty to do this if for nothing else than 10 prevent our
natural allies from amalgamating with the Northern
Democratic party.
To bring forward what is called q" .ime-honored
custom" is but feeble argument after all, when
viewed in constras with the necessity of doing what
the emergency calls for in the Of Southern safe
ty. Neither can the mention of the Eames of tho
mighty dead, whom we reverence and love, be &C.
counted authoritative when We remember that they
acted according the circumstances that surrounded
them and would doubtless have us do precisely the
same in our day and generation. 1t should be borne
in mind that we have new questions Of great impor.
tance rising before If the abolition returns for
delegate to Congress from Kansas received by the
lower House in defiance Of the legal returns, We have
at once issues that will change the face Of our polti
cal affairs We will be compelled 10 arm for the de-
fence of Missouri and our bret hren in Kansas. Wemust
place men and money under the flag and authority of
that territory There s nn better place to commence
the great battle for Southern Independence. In the
mean time, by acting cordially with onr sister States
of the South, and not appearing TO assume any
superiority to them in political purity, We may be
able to assist in giving the right direction to Southern
sentiment And this is or ought TO be our present
great object Let us first preserve the unity Of our
State Let us presume that those Of our feowctizens
at home who differ with US are honest Let us then
unite with such Southern States may be willing TO
act in concert with and put instructions upon the
delegates. If cannot get any State to act with US,
We can abstain altogether from the Convention. This
is the sum and substance Of our proposition as hereto
fore made. Our scheme is to propose joint under
standing with the Southern States, any part Of
them, as to the principles upon which we may con.
sent to go into convention We look not to the Pres
Dental election, except means Of advancing that
best hope now left US, complete Southern organization.
The destiny of The Slave states Of this Union may
be called the great problem of American society. We
of the South are convinced that order Of civilization
is the most perfect the world hos ever known.
And yet to preserve 1t, We may have to encounter
some desperate struggles. Among other causes of
apprehension, we may well note the probable turn Of