Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-19
THE STATE AND THE SOUTH.


security of Southern rights 1t hard to believe that
people, who proessas we do)iO be governed in our
policy by nm enlarged patriotism, should turn deaf
ear to the call for help against the enemies of constlt'
tional liberty, which is now sounded along the whole
line Of American States 1t is yet more difficult to
realize the assertion, so confidently vaunted by few
members Of the Carolina press, that the people OF CUR
State have no sympathy with movement whose main
objects as far as to be impcated> are the up
holding of the broad rights Of section and the llr:
therance of southern ailiation To credit either OF
these propositions would be to aspeEse the character
of our feow.czens for patriotism and common sense;
And this we shall not do until the facts Of the case
compel us 10 that conclusion AS matters stand at
present. these facts largely peponderate on the side OF
propriey and e1pedency or ut least what we consider
SUCH. Let it be remembered that, in what has been
done in South Carolina towards preparing for a rep.
resentation in the approaching Democratic conventien
weight mere political leadership has been largely
adverse TO any participation. The most influential
journal in the State $50, because OF its age ability
and extensive crcula!ion has exered itself to the ut
most in the suppression of all nprisnss of popular SEN
tment in favor Of joining our southern brethren at
Cincinnati Another Charleston paper Of high reputa-
lion and wide circuation-a paper which, besides eI.
erci,ng considerable control by the usual reasonable
hess and force Of its suggestions, has also The compee
direction of whatever Know Nothing feeling exists in
different parts Of the Snte-ntes with its metropUli
tan neighbor in this dampening process. The papers
of next largest and most general scope are probably
those Of Columbia and Of these, one has been bitterly
hostile representation while another I'VE are sor-
ry to say seems to have been chiefly engaged in ad-
using its sails 10 the weathers gauge. Add to this,
that the movement to effect a representation was
awkardly begun and has no, been systematically pro-
secuted in any part of our State Then consider the
fact, that much has been done by the people in favor
Of and little nothing in opposition 10, the measure
under consideration And the conclusion seems OBJ
vious enough, that The State will 60, AMI go leg'i
maiely into the great meeting of Democrats which i.
to come off at Cincinnati in June next.
For one, we have based our position in this matter
from first to last, mainly upon southern grounds A
the same time We hold that, by going into the Conven
tion South Carolina will be giving up none Of hel
ancient Independence. She will not be endangerins
her state 's-righs code of political ethics. She w
not be panderng TO International sentiments. She
fits than she is g, present. No-she will 60 to fgh
the battle of the Constitution and of the South She
will 20 at the call Of her sister Georgia. She will g
to meet the hopes Of all the other southern States
She will 20 to prove them that she is ready in good
faith to enact her part nhe last act Of the great drama
that now appro1imates its consummaon. in doing
this she scorns the falsc impualiun Of unworthy mo-
tives She hears with suspicion the syren voice tha
lures her back with the tale Of a so.caed slime
honored policy" She will not be longer withheld
from ,hs common fight. The camp itseIfis in danger
and none may now stand aloof from the thckening
engagement.
Looking at the question from this southern stand
point we are unable tbe it honestly confesscd TO cor
slider with patience the arguments of the opposition
Honestly conceiving that our State stands pledged Il
all manner OF righteous cooperation with hersonihert
allies and firmly believing that the occasion at Gin
cnnati will he one which the united South may be
instrumental in shaping land perhaps in iring) the
future destiny of our section and of our country, We
can sec no sufficient why South Carolina should
not be there well Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi
and the rest. The slime me-honored-policy" argument
might have had some little weight antccedent 10 the
year 1882 Since then, it has become bu, the hollow
sembance of excuse for getting around the decision
of that memorable year, a decision markedly ant
emphacaliy conclusive as to South Carolina isola
lion But surprising that The decision of 80 had
never iranspired the "time honored policy argument
is pitiful thing when confronted with the present
commanding necessity for close, constant, perfect in
genuous concert of action in all southern efforts thai
have for their end the vindcation Of southern rights
and the triumph Of constitutional repubicanism. Ou
Wings and Know Nothngs may object that by har
monizng with southern Democrats We do not achieve
ehectual concerted action. All reasonable Democrats
however, know this objection 10 be mere CANNON
seeing that unite the power of the democracy at the
South is equivalent to uniting the Soutl-The argu.
ment adduced from The possibility Of contamination
by minging with northern democratsat Cincinnati, il
too superficial to merit attention 1t is poor estimate
OF the integrity and rmness of the Carolina character
that would pronounce endangered by such contiguy
Weak indeed is our virtue and unworthy the prolec.
ton of any safeguards If we TO be tlemorazed by
so simple circumslance-3ut it is apprehended that
also to be de- Carolinazed by this step. If
act in accordance with The demands of the times TO
shape our course according the changing difficulties
|
southern confederates Is to de- Carolina ourselves,
then let the innovation come-ihe sooner the better
Used at this time, and with reference TO the PROPOSE.
,ion to work with best, our only friends, in the
coming convention, the word deCorolna.ize" is bu,
'sounding brass and iinkling cymbul."
The real cause Of opposition to this movement in our
State may not after all bave been fairly set FORTH 1t
may possibly be found in the fears of ultra
tives, that new course Of affairs would thereby be
instituted and line of policy established amongst
us, which would speedily result in giving the election
of Presidential electors 10 the people. Some such
fears have been expressed. Without questioning the
probability Of such event, would respectfully
ndite word Of caution to any who may be influenced
in their feelings towards the present convention move
ment by an eppre hension of this kind. Beware how
you place your State conservatism 1.-THE way Of south
rn redemption, lest hapIy you incur the curses of an
ncensed people, and you and your conservatism be
swep, into common political grave
1T
NOBLE OLD FAIRFIELD!
The "banner district Of ffy.tno" has not only taken
the correct and only wise stand upon the question of
representation in the Democratic Convention, but is
noby illustrating the reputation of her citizens for
d.n,erested patriotism by prompt action in the cause
of Kansas emigration. Can We not do likewise in
Edpefcd! We shall see.