Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-10-08
OUR TRUE COURSE.

uelerWlneu,-an issue win Wnlcn the Qeare6t rISlla
and most valued interests of the Saveholding States
directly implicated 1t is the issue between Justice
and Aggression, between the Constitution and a
Higher Law, between Patriotism and Fanaticism,
between the South and the North For many years
this issue has been forming itself into e For many
years sagacious statesmen have warned'the country
Of its dangerous tendencies Some have Needed these
premontions; while with many they huve been as
seed sown upon stony ground, soon trodden down
and forgotten. But needed not that issue has gone
on increasing in magnitude, until now its point OF
elimination is nearly reached and its solution il at
hand.
Happily for the South, her people are at last ava.
King TO the nearncss and importance of the struggle
that approaches. Throughout the length and breadth
Of her borders, the alarm notes OF her political senti.
nels are sounding 10 the rally. From Virginia to
Texas, mighty uphsaving of her proud spirit Ia be-
ing manifested Old party distinctions are rapidly
merging themselves In the one great end Of southern
safety And the time has come, so long hoped for, In
which the hearts Of our people are beating in unison
for the cause of Southern Rights.
Our true course, is to greet these indications OF in.
creased afiiaion among ourselves with JOY, and to
foster our southern friendships into permanency
which nothing shall hereafter be able to shake 1t is,
10 bond our main energies 10 the important business
of Southern unanimity tits, to shun home disscn-
sons 1t is, to look 9ut, each Southern State up'n
every oiher with concern and regard II is, to shape
our policy, each towards the other, in the spirit OF
conGding brotherhood. 1t is to believe and 10 feel
that We are one people linked by common destiny,
and That we must survive or perish together is, 10
sacrarce, each Southern Slate for the others, any Pc
culiar political preferences ofmnor consequence which
may have the effect of retarding the concentration OF
Southern power in or out of the sxsiant confederacy
Mad indeed is the policy, thnt would counsel any
agitation in our Southern ranks likely to distract the
mind, of our people from that great desideratum
upon which our common snfety depends; the mere
thorough cemenng Of those strung bonds Of interest
and consangtiuity which should (and will if properly
observed) make us as one man in thought, principle
and action.
Especially with US of South Carolina is it duty,
not more solemn ia itself than it is indispensable to
The success OF our Southern Cause to and scruli.
nze our every step, every demonstration, our
nv suggestion with the most careful reference OF each
one of them to the test of Southern appreciation. The
reputation attaches to State OF being hot-headed
and mpe,uous for what she conceves 10 be her rights
We Lave seen that, in acting ont those impulses on
one or two occasions, she has had the misfortune o
attempting extremes which failed to receive The sane
tim of her Southern sisters. Whether she or they
were wrong is not to be discussed. 1t is enough for
us to know that we failed; and that, However high
may stand our cai:s;Ssiian,ry of spirit, the pres,
cs of prudence is not ours III sufficient protection 10
constitute South Carolina III. proper leader in the
mighty battle efure US. Let energies and enhu.
siasm then be given 10 the work of q concerted and
perfect cooperation at the South. That work is now
rapidly going forward in every part of our Section
II is ours 10 watch il in condition of entire prepared
ncss, that when the time shall arrive 10 strike Tor
equality or independence, we may second the first
blows of our conlcderates with power and effect.
In the mean limc le. us not be inactive. or inaen-
live 10 matters rs they exist around u.s. We see our
Southern co.states engaged in what lay be last
fight for The Union as our fathers made it. We see
Them marshalling their strength for the uplifting OF
an Administration which stands committed 10 sustain
the Constitutional Rights Of the Soulh II is not for
us To feel Indifference TO this effort, or to refuse our
full synpahrs with Tile hopes and expectations ol our
friends in this contest. The Southern States, without
exception, are a5uu TO cast their votes Tor JAMES
| BrcmANAH; AMI in dring 50, they calculate upon
great an,l gond rrsls. II wnlil lc neither wise nor
graceful in Suuh Carnna even In seem 10 Withhold
her co.olrra lion in the premises. cnld assent on
her part is not the trne pncy Of the honr She should
(and will) 90 cordially with her Southern allies She
shonli see that her public men are alive TO their
whole duty in this mater-their dnty 10 the country,
an emphacalIy, their duty TO the South. Co-opera'
,inu is her settled policy,-nu! alone cooperation for
disSolving the Union in The last extremity, but coop
GRAFTON fur saving The Union on Constitutional
grounds if be yet possible Let us then work fair.
ly and fqnarely mp to professions. Let us yet
strive with our friends, for Constitutional Union
And when Hope no longer lives, then shall we coun-
sci grnvely with them for n new political heaven, q
new political earth.