Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-11-14
GEnRsIA SENTIMENT.

The Augusta Constitutionalist," q true ex-
bnent of the dominant feeling in our sister
hate over the river, thus talks in the course of
review of Gov. JoHSsoN's late message:
The two topics which have an interest be-
ond the limits of our State, and will claim the
tenion of other States, are those discussed
nder the .heads of Internal improvements
tate Aid, and Federal Relations The first
hould enlist the enlightened enterprise and CO.
peration of contiguous States, for purposes OF
lutual material advancemenl-the second pre-
cnts the whole vital and fundamental question
f constitutional rights, and our duty to our
wn interest and honor involved in the para.
hount question of the day.
The Governor deserves the appreciation of
bur people, for presenting this question to the
whole country, in its true light, and in this for
hal manner recommending the Legislature to
tindicate the sincerity of Georgia, and her pied
ges to the world in reference to the contingen-
cies contemplated in the fourth Resolution of
the Convention of 1850. Her position, her aims
. and purposes, are set forth with clearness and
precision, and the Legislature owes it to the
State, and the sister States of the Confederacy,
to take the action suggested by the message, for
| the call of another Convention, should the
course of Congress, in the cases contemplated,
make it necessary.
We would have been better pleased with that
portion of the message, had it INDUCED less in
anxious depreciation of the consequences that
might ensue in case Georgia took the decisive
and irrevocable step of calling convention
With view to disruption" We should "do
our duty and leave the consequences to God"
Leave it to the North to feel that the rejection
of Kansas, on account of pro.slavery Consti-
tu.ion, would be "fearful uAimatum," but let
not our people be taught to consider that the
refusal to stay in Union that had become thus
dcsecrated and vnlucless is a" "teaJM STEP" To
fear position is the initiatory movement to-
ward shrinking from it. Long since VIM. H.
Seward declared the conviction, that the Union
was stronger than the institution Of slavery.
When, therefore, he and his conductors are
moving Heaven and earth to bring about con-
tingency, which must compel Georgia, in con.
formity with her declared purpose, to disprore
the truth of this insulting boast, let us not cast
about to devise other means than the adoption
of the last resort" for the vindicatiou of Geor-
eia's honor and consistency. AS we read The
language Of her convention, we understand her
to declare that such Congressional action rs is
contemplated in the fourth resolution, would
drive her to the last resort. To temporize after
that, and seek grounds for compromising with
indignity, would be tantamount to indorsing the
declaration, that the Union is stronger than the
institution of slavery.
IF Kansas be rejected from the Union, on ac-
count of her desire to come in as slave.hold-
ing State, Georgia should go out of the Union.
And so should every Southern State, who feels
like her, that such congressional action would
be declaration by the freesoil States, that Uni
on with sIave.holding States, was contamination
and dshonor. Where would be the pride of a
Southern State, if it could consent to remain
one day in association with them under such an
insult. The Union is not boon to be priced
at such price. It is not claimed by the South
as boon, at any price, from the hands of her
Northern confederates. 1t is an association Of
sovereign States, on equal terms, comforting as
much honor and benefit at least, on the North,
rs on the South. The moment the Northern
States, by combined action in the rejection Of
Kansas, virtually declare that Union with slave.
holding States is at sacrifice of conscience and
morality on their part, the South should be real
DIV to cut loose the bond that unites them. 1t
is a bond of consent, of equality, and of frater-
nty. When it ceases to be that, it should cease
to exist.
Whether provision for The call of Conven-
ton would be considered by the North in the
light of Il threat or not, should be matter of
supreme Indifference to Georgia. She should
shape her course with sole reference to what she
considers due TO herself and her Southern Sis
,crs The Northern people can think upon it
and act in reference to it to suit their own views
of proprietv. That concerns them more than