Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-07-29
3,49l,684
COY. WALKER and THE ADMINISTRATION.

We have not united in the denunciation Of
Mr. Buchanan's Administration in relation to
Gov. Walker, for several reasons. In the first
place. we believe the Administration elected by
the South, with a majority Of Southern men in
it-and with the Constitutional pledges Of MIR.
Buchanan, carried out strictly so far in other
cases-will not place itself in antagonism to the
whole South and this, too, when the South
is so clearly in the ascendant claiming only
strict adherence to the Constitution-and espe-
cially at period when on the great question,
the decision Of the highest legal tribunal up
holds her views so triumphantly before the
world. The Administration selected South
ern man in principle, to settle the vexed ques-
ton it was generally understood among Mr..
Walkers friends that he was in favor of bringing
in Kansas as pro-slavery State--hs orthodoxy
on the slave question while in the United States
Senate was never questioned-and while his COL
league in the House voted for the reception of
Abolition petitions, he voted for their instanta-
neous rejection.
: i! He was sound on this question then: When
as into the Union and how did she exhibit her
appreciation of his services ?-by placing his
statute in her Capitol. When Mr.. Van Buren
declared against Texas, did not his friend, Rob-
ert j. Walker, declare against him, and was he
not the means of making Polk President in con-
sequence? While Secretary of the Treasury,
| what more jealous advocate Of free trade had
we in the country, and what did his reports
| affect in Great Britain with such antecedents
the Administration was fully justified in contid-
| ing to him this delicate mission.
That the policy Of the Administration was in
| favor of submitting the constitution to the peo-
pe is not with the South sufficient casus JelH
it is not unconstitutional to do so-it is not
anti-Southern-it is not anti-republcan. 1t has
been done in many cases, and We have no rca-
son to complain of the Administration for up
| holding it. That the Administration approves
of the manner of Mr.. Walkers recommending
| how the people should do it, is another matter
we do not believe they can approve his course
in giving his opinion on that subject, but on the
question we see no cause why they should re-
pudate him.
The Democratic party, no one denies, opened
Kansas to the South-it repealed the Missouri
Compromise to give equality to the South in the
territories Have the people of the South gone
in and possessed the land? Have we of South
Carolina done half our share of duty in coloniz-
| ing Kansas? Have we sent bona tide settlers
to locate in the territory and take possession?
| We have not We have sent a few young men
to fight for us there, and they have shown their
spirit and done it, but how many have returned
| home? How many have carried slaves there
and remained? How many have sold out their
feeble tenure and left the country? If the
South had done its duty and occupied the land
| by settling it with owners of few slaves, we
could out-yote Gov. Walker and overrule any
and all his mistaken views in the submission Of
the question 10 the people. What is the use Of
the farce of adopting Constitution now if mo-
ioritv is against it? What good can there re-
suit in adopting Constitution but by the votes
of those who mean to occupy the land If the
South means to do anything, why is it not NOV
ing? Why arc not joint stock companies
raised to purchase land and send settlers as the
Emigrant Aid Societies are charged with doing ?
In short, why has not the South sent voters
there to carry the Constitution
If Kansas be lost to us, are Of the South have
lostit-not Gov. Walkers suggestions have done
it. But our friends say We have not lost it
; what, then, are we doing to get possession, and
make "assurancc doubly sure?" We are Of
opinion that the securing of Kansas to the South
should be the work of the South, and that the
South should have settled the question, so that
neither the Administration, nor Gov. Walker,
nor any other politician should be looked to as
the saviour Of the country. The power was
with us, and knowing the numbers and enter
prise of the North, it was our duty to place the
case beyond contingency when we could have
done it. If it be lost to us it is our own fault
! from our own datoriness and luke-warmness
: We have been warned and We would not heed
Our politicians have been cOqnselng us in poll.
tics to depend on ourselves, and not to trust
:, parties or Administrations, and here is the most
y important question Of political power that has
: occurred for many day, and at a critical pc
= Rod of Southern existence, and why have We
y neglected it and left it to MIR. Buchanan or any
! one else to settle, when we should do it our
selves.
Mr. Walker is politician-he may be Pick
:, - wickng it to effect his object-let us hear from
D him and see the result of his policy before ".
Z condemn him to decapitation if he be traitor
U let him he executed according to law, after
y fair defence. We repeat that the Administra
y ton should be allowed equal justice before W
y declare war against it. The South has electet
it, and should uphold it until it has proved faith
" less. We believe so far its action has been cor
e stitutional, and We have always expressed oul
l. selves willing to abide Constitutional Gov
e ent.-South Cdrolinian
is ESs A loving couple up country have pir