Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-26

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.vtuer suiians," as they have been termed.
They are not in pari delictu. The difference be-
tween the population Of portion of the two
sections has never been 30 we'll illustrated AZ in
that very demonstration. The Western people,
Of daring galantry, Of open hospitality, trust to
the occasion and when they draw The sword, it
is rather under The influence of heat and passion
than malice-but with fertility of expedients
that is equal to craft; and if they commit homi-
eide under such circumstances, it is reduced ut
least to the grade Of nlanslaughter When,
however, see IN organization III distance Of a
thousand miles from the Territory, sending out
Men who 60, not with fowiug. pieces, or the Or.
binary rifles, or common weapons of defence
which they might use, but oil going with one
uniform gun--Sharp's rife--let ME not be told
that they We're going there for merely The inno-
cent purpose of settling the Territory themselves.
II is evident they were going there 10 drive oil
others, if it became contest, which the Missou-
ri g border rutfians," as they are called, never
anticipated The crime Of those who are de.
signaled by that name, If homicide should be
committed, would be much nearer the character
of manslaughter, whilst the blood shed by their
opponents would much nearer approach Iner-
cenary homicide.
Now, sir, suppose this controversy may be
regarded us a great ejectment case-perhaps the
greatest that ever was tried-io try the title of
the two different sections to The public domain,
the common domain belonging TO the whole
Union. | suppose the Emigrant Aid Societies
settlers may be regarded as one party, and what
they choose 10 call The border rutians, the other
party-one The John Doe, the other the Richard
Roe, in this lawsuit. am perfectly willing that
the suit shall be tried by justice and truth, and
not under the heated defamation Of gentlemen
who intend 10 inllame the public mind OF their
own section, without regard 10 the dictates Ot
the truth of history. Now, what are the facts in
relation 10 this case? AS have them from au-
thentic sources, they are not such rs can give
John Doe much credit.
In my opinion, Governor Reeder will have to
answer more than any other human being, for
the blood which will be shed-if any shall be
shcd-for he occupied an important position to
control events. | suppose none will doubt now,
that when the Missouri line was adopted, it WAS
done by mere Legislative power, and therefore
could be wiped out by the same competent au-
,hority. Missouri was admitted against the con.
sent of the North, rs II body; but the South, III
spirit of compromise, agreed to that line. How
has she been treated? Since | have been u
member of The Senate, no opportunity has been
offered when some Northern man has not, ON
the occasion of territory being acquired South
of that line, made u motion ~ exclude the slave
holder. There has not been single occasion,
when the opportunity has been presented, when
they have not violated the implied pledge con-
tanned in The obligations of that line. | ring it
in their ears. II had no other cause ~ wipe
out the line, could find it in the fact that they
have not regarded it in good faith, but have yio-
lated the public honor and plighted faith, as
expressed on the statute book. When Oregon
was organized into Territory, this feeling 30
far prevailed that it would not allow Southern
men to vote for it, upon The ground thai, in as
much us The Territory lay North of $780, .30', it
mipht be- organized under the inlendment of the
Missouri compromise.
Sir, YOU will remember the occurrence Of the
war with Mexico. Day after day many of US
went to the War Department expecting TO hear,
what many did hear, the dreadful results of bat
lie to friends and relatives. suppose we may
consider the war with Mexico rs having been
fought to certain extent to acquire The territory
which followed its termination through III the lned.
UNI negotiation. At that time, when the
South contributed as many men, and as much
money, for the persecution of the war rs
the North-the South sending many more
men-did not hear Senator from New York
| [Mr. Dix rise in his place and say that he in
| tended to maintain the Wilnlut proviso on the
ground mainly that it would create Gordon Of
free States around the slaveholding States, and
with the assertion of the superior civilization Of
the free States! Was that no violation of the
Missouri compromise? put it now fairly to
tho men who speak in this heated language, if
Territory were TO be arnuired Tomorrow would