Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-08-26
qbf aopertiser.
ARTHUR SlMKlNS, EDITOR.
EDGEFIELD, s. C.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1857.
THE CHARLESTON MERCURY AGAIN.


THE CHARLESTON MERCURY AGAIN.
On another column may be found IN article from
this journal, to several points of which we would
briefly advert
1. A little more than month ago. the Mercury wns
Issuing notes of wailing over "the deplorable gno-
rance, vaclaon, treachery, and division which rosn
at the South"-we quote its precise language. Now
It comes to US with tho triumphal shout Of The
South United" and provsdly arrays Georgia, Alaba-
ma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida and
Texas m presenting an unbsoken line for the defence
Of Southern Rights. We congratulate our cotsmpo.
rary upon tho cslerity with which he has thus vautod
from the slough of despond up to this airy emtnenee
of hops It is precisely the standpoint from when
many others of US have been looking out upon tho
political sea for months past and now that tho Mer
eury's telescope has boon mounted beside us We shall
hope to discover yet of safety and happiness IN
the unfolding future of our beloved South
@ But the Aercury's way of reaching this position
is pecuiar We arc instructed that tho proceedings
of Governor WALKER in Kansas have effected this
mighty result, have given to our section light for
Ignorance" frmness for vaclation," devotion for
"treachery," and union for division" With pro-
found Difference to the and expertness OF our
cotemporary, We submit that he is here placing the
effect before the cause. It is the pre-established
union of sentiment throughout the South-it can be
nothing else-which must account for the general
agreement the Mercury announces ns subsistlng
among the people of Georgia. Alabama, Mississippi
Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida and Texas" Admitting
it to bc correct that this agreement does subsst Wc
ask is it not the best evidence that tho common heart
of our section beats warmly, and in unison upon
every question which touches our rights as connected
with our institution of domestic slavery? Could this
general scnstvcnoss, this universal disposition to
ropel every thing ko injury insult, have sprung
into existence with the occasion of Gov. WALKERS
transgression Is it not more creditabe to our peo
pie, and far less superficial, to conclude that tho
agreement here set forth is but the demonstration OF
pro-exsting oneness Of sentiment in tho Southern
mind, oneness of sentiment which the Mercury
rcsuutely ignored only a month since, but acknowl-
edges to-lay,-with how much of consistency wo
leave tho reader to decide.
8. Again, it is apprchcnded that "South Carolina
is more divided, and lower in her Southern feelings,
than any other of tho Cotton States" Now, what is
tho character of tho division" here alluded to? Is
it one which involves doubt as to the devotion Of
single Caronan to the best interests of his State and
Section? No,-itis is simply this: portion OF the
Press of the State led off in violent denunciution of
Governor WALKER. Another portion, equally South
ern in its tone, thought best to more moderate
language in regard to that officials course And
why? First because they did not consider it just
towards Mr. BUCHANAN, to create prcjudices against
his Administration on the Of certain speeches
and acts of its agent and which it was believed the
President did not approve. Secondly because there
were reasons for thinking that the prosarery party
in Kansas were at least quiet ms to WALKERS policy,
aud that therefore was but the dictate Of ordinary
prudence to await; developments in that territory.
This is the sum and substance of the so-called d
vision" in South Carolina; And when the Mercury
goes on to speak of the State being CLOVER in her
Southern feelings than any other Cotton State" we
distinctly and emphatcaly pronounce the conclusion
fallacy at least in fur it has reference to our
course and the reasons We have assigned therefor.
We point the Mercury to those reasons ms heretofore
published, and defy its scrutiny.
4. The .Nercury further says: I" In Mississippi but
ono Single pIcSS u lSCuiS ava w
KEn; whilst in South Carolina, the Grcenville Pa
triot, Edgeficd .idrertser Columbia South Carolini
an and Fairfield Register have all, We believe defend
cd or supported him." To this we have simply to
reply, that the statement is erroneous. We have
condemned WALKERS special acts Of ntermedling ms
they have been reported through the country. We
have not defended or supported" Walker. The
policy of the Administration in Kansas VIC have de-
Tended so fur as the propricy of submitting the Con-
stitution to tho ratification Of bona fae citizens is
considered distinctly saying at the time, with
the Administration, that the Convention is the only
power to determine who these iona fde citizens are.
We have deprecated strife on this question because
wo could not regard it issue upon which our
Southern cause was to be benefited We have also
counseled against upon the Administration be-
cause wo believed, and still believe that it is sound,
conservative Administration, aud one earnestly dis
posed to do equal justice to the whole country. From
information before we have reluctantly yielded to
the opinion that Kansas never can be Slave State;
wo have therefore thought and said that it well
at least to make it sound Democratic State, with
strong esven Of Southern sympathy in its population.
If in these positions tho Mercury can find anything
anti-SoutLern lot it be pointed out If there is any
defence or support Of Walker in them, we wish to
hsvo it exhibited in eocmporarys most searching
terms. If this eannot be done, he stands convicted
of nsrcprcsenting the position Of brother journal
ist who has always cndouvored to show him the high
est respect and do him the fullest of justice
In conclusion, wo venture to predict that i'll less
than throc months the Mercury will see and perad-
venture admit that tho position of the Adcertiser,
with respect to the Administration in this Kansas i'm
broglio has been the correct and the really indepcn
dent one.