Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-12-03
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ExEcuTIvE DEPARTMENT,
Columbia, S. c., Nov. "a, 1856.
Gentlemenof The Senate
and House of Representatives

80 .'--GssSy0t]ltauii, -. W., iNoF. 6f, Aooo'
Gentlemenef the Senate
and House of Representatives
The object for which you were recently con.
yened in extra session has been determined
The popular voice has declared in favor of the
party Of our preference. Thepast admonishes
rs to reserve the full2Eeasure of our rejoicing
to the day when the avowed policy of the party
shall have been honestly carried out; when
Justice shall be re-establisbed, and tranquility
be restored to the country. Then, indeed, will
the victory be one worthy Of the strongest de-
monstration which patriotism can indulge. So
far as the result may be- regarded. as q rebuke
to that Northern party, whose principle of cho-
hesion is hatred TO the South, we share in the
general satisfaction. Considered in reference
to the vital issue between the North and the
South, l fear that il will be a barren triumph
that it will prove to be, at best, but brief re-
spite of feverish, exhausting excitement, des-
tined to end in embittered feeling and distrac.
ted counsel among ourselves. Slavery and
Freesoilism can never be reconcied. Our ene-
mics have been defeated-not vanqushed. A
majority of the free States have declared against
the South, upon purely sectional Issue, and
in the remainder of them, formidable minorities
fercely contended for victory under the same
banner. The triumph Of this geographical par
ty must dissolve the confederaey, unless we are
prepared to sink down into state Of acknowl-
edged inferiorty. We will act as wisely to em.
ploy the interval Of repose afforded by the late
election in earnest preparation for the inevitable
conflict. The Southern States have never de-
manded more than equality and security. They
can not submit TO less, and remain in the Union,
without dishonor and ultimate ruin.
The internal state of the commonwealth,
over whose affairs you are called to deliberate,
exhibits gratifying condition of general pros
periiy and contentment. The State has been
mercifully spared the scourse of the "pestiience
which wasteth," and our people have sown and
reaped in peace. Impressed with sense of our
mutual Obligations and with hearts full of graft
tude to God, We enter on the work OF duty be-
fore US.
In the performance of the part assigned to
me, proceed to lay before you such informa-
tion of the condition of the State, and to re-
commend 10 your consideration such measures
as "judge necessary or expedient."
The profits of the bank of the State for the
: last year, amount to- -S280,46940, exceeding
those of he'previous year by S7,4la-48.
During the fiscal year the public debt charged
on the bank has been reduced $64,340.7S. The
President of the bank informed Hie that he ex-
pected TO make further reduction of about
: $4,000, the arrangements for which could not
ses=osuaple CLOSE tbe-f -fisea+
year.
I refer you to hesreport Of the Comptroller
General for q detailed statement of the finan.
cal condition of the State. Since the first Of
October, 1855, the public debt has been increas-
as follows: By issue of bonds to construct
New State House, $780, 900; by subscription
to Blue Ridge Raroad, 100000.
The following table exhibits the debt, liab.
ty, and assets of the State:
ACTUAL DEBT
8 and per cent State stock k......sl23, ,407 60
Fire loan bonds. ..l,6G9:86s VI
Bonds new State House. ......... 100000 90
Bonds Blue Ridge Railroad ....:.. 100000 90
U. S. treasury surplus fund ......l, ,05l, ,422 09
3,744,698 SO
LIABILITY.
Guarantor South Carolina
Debt and liability. .............. .5,744. sos 6s
ASSETS.
Capital of Bank nk.................2,7 ..2,770,S02 SO
Sinking fund. -. ,49O,3S6 80
Shares in railroads, per value. II, ,742,3 300 90
Cash on LIST October. er...s.'.''''. lSs'0so %
n S6,l43ll47 IA
g = $1,000 A.