Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-08-06
!; rHENoRTH AND TIE SOUTH.

ssTHENoRTH AND TIE SOUTH.
Th. ensuing elections in The Northern States
are looked to with much anxiety by all conserva.
tiyes as most likely to determine the question OF
Union or disunion. The condition of affairs lI
Congress shows very prominently that leglsai..
ton there is becoming rapidly sectional, and II
the Democratic party does not net up 10 it's as.
sumed obligations in the present canvass, and
the Black Republicans succeed in liking their
influence on the councils Of The confederacy. the
Union will terminate.
We of the South have long been impressed
with the necessity of preparing for the change,
and our people are thoroughly satisfied that we
have within US the clements not only of exis-
tenee and strength, but Of wealth and greatness
as an independent people. Whatever may be
the views Of the North we know our position,
md are entirely willing to assume the RESPONSE
bility if forced upon Us. We have no fears on
this subject; as practical fact we are ready for
disunion.
But while these are our convictions and feel
ings, and we constantly have aggression making
upon us, on our vital interests and institutions.
we are still disposed TO torbear the severance IT
there be any prospect of a continuance in con.
fsderacy which was framed on basis Of
equal rights, and these guaranteed by written
Constitution. We hare borne very muchr
which has brought on farther aggression; but
The events which have transpircd during the
past year have brought matters to the point OF
q settlement by the approaching elections.
So far as South Carolina is concerned, she
has decided against separate secession. and she
awaits the combined action of her sister South
ern States to Indicate the course which honor
and interest require. In common with them,
she has taken part in one more effort to unl!e
the Democracy of the whole country North and
South, for the defence of the Constitution In
this great effort, she will follow the lead OF Vlr.
ginia, in casting her vote for James Buchanan,
who whatever may have been his former position.
is right now in adopting the inciples and
pledges whici> are satisfactory TO the South.
What ii he formerly held opinions at variance
with those he now professes-look into the hl..
tory cf our own great statesmen and you will
find that their opinions Oh many vital questions
have differed with circumstances. Temporal
snutantur et nos nutanur Ills. Policy varies
and 50 do statesmen. In individuals, in carPors-
tions in States, and in Government, clrrumstan.
ces require change in the great cause OF human
progress.
In our present position in political affairs, he
that is moi with Us is against w, and those who
profess friendship must show it by acts We
have pledge from the Democracy OF the Union
~ stand up to our principles. We await with
anxiety their redemption of that pledge by
their vote the Democracy of the free States will
show whether union with them is longer desira-
bic. II they are true to principle, we believe
our people, whatever their willingness may be
for separate independence, are quite satisfied to
90 on-nay would prefer to. continue the con-
federscy Of their fathers if they can enjoy its
privileges on equal terms with those who are
associated with them.
The Democratic party is the only one which
has ever been willing to assume position salts
factory to u.s. We now look to it with coui-
dence that it will support the only principles
that will save the Union.-South Carolinian.
Hoy. PRESTON S. BRooKs.-The Richmond
Enquirer in notice of this gentleman's address
TO his constituents, says:
at is not easy to understand the embarrass.
ments of Mr. Brooks position. The act which
80 suddenly exposed him 10 public observation,
however justified by adequate provocalion, ne
cesaarily associated bis name With ideas OF IN
temperate passion and physical violence, rather
than of personal dignity and intellectual power.
Yet every one who knows Mr.. Brooks, will at
test the reserve and modesy Of his character,
his aversion to anything like u rufian reputation
and his chastened aspiration for the fame Ut
purely intellectual prowess. The chastisemen:
of Sumner left even upon those who applauded
the act an impression altogether inconsistent
with tho only distinction which Dir. Brooks
covets He had therefore to show by his sub
seQuent conduct that though of fearless spirit
he is nothing of the bully, and that he is pos
sessed of higher and worther qualities than
mere physical strength or moral intrepdhy
And this vindcalion too he had 10 accomplish
in the face Of every sort Of embarrassment and
obstacle-of friends counselling a timid course
or pushing him to desperation-of n treacher-
ous foe skulking from fair and equal combat
and lying in wait for the mistakes of brave
and generous spirit.
aHow Mr. Brooks has borne himself through
trials to which no man in this country was ever
before subjected-how he confronted army
of Black Republicans clanoring for his blood by
secret stab. or open assault-how he encounter
and unhorsed every abolitionist who ventured
to enter the lists against him-how he exposed
their counterfeit courage, and chased them from
the feld-with what brave spirit he has en-.
durcd every species of obloquy and persecu.
tion--wlh what an imperturabe self.possession
and unerring instinct of judgment he has con-
trolled bis conduct-in what terms Of singing
scorn and fierce defiance he repelled the censure
of Black Republican majority, and in what
eloquent language he vindicated himself nnd
his State from the libes of the cowardly caum-
niator ALL this is too familiar for repetition in
the columns of Southern journal 1t is enough
to say, thA, Mr. Brooks character and abilities
are not now appreciated only, by his intimate
friends, but are recognised and applauded by
the people of the South; and that the verdict
Of his constituents on the chastisement Of Sum-
ner, will express the universal sense Of this
section Of the country"
DECIDEDLY RIcH.--It will be remembered that
an account of Gaming at the Metropolitan Hotel
by Mr.. vicks, who thrashed Stanwood severely,
appeared in our columns n few days since.
Connected with Mr.. Vicks we have q tale to
unfold which will make the abolitionists of
Philadelphia feel very cheap.
Il seems that when Dir. Vicks was about 10