Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-07-15


spirit of constitutional justice; and not only in re-
spcct to Kansas but also the whole territorial posses
sions Of the United States. And now we ask the
Mercury: Was it nothing gained to take of this obi
ous prohibition? Was it nothing to obliteratc the
mark Of degradation drawn against our institutions?
VAST nothing to repeal IN unconstitutional enact
ment upon point so nearly affecting our honor and
interests? Was it nothing to strike the collar from
our nccks? And now hat it is done, does it sit well
on any Southern sentinel to complain and soy, it
better to wear it? Are we, poOdlc.ke, to whine be-
cause our ollar is of and we have lost master?
But to this triumph of our cause in Congress; let
US here again add the weight Of tho Supreme Courts
decision in the Drcd Scott case, which the Mercury
itself construcs determining the point that the
people of the South have right to carry their slaves
into any territory of the United States and there the
of the United States is bound to protect
them property until the territory becomes State
Thus is the net of Congress repeating the Missouri
Compromise made rs fixed as the laws of the Medes
and Persians Thus arc our rights admitted ilustra-
tel and established And yet the Mercury persists in
believing that the of the South is not stronger
in the Confcdcracy than heretofore. Finding no bet
ter ground to rest its resolute opinion upon it ugs
new feature into the old Missouri Compromise by
which that instrument is. made positively to bar the
North from the territory South Of 800 3O'; and
thence deduces the idea that should have been bet
ter of to have let that unconstitutional, antsouth-
ern enactment remain of force. We point the reader
to the Mcrcury's article elsewhere in paper and
ask him to say if it can be understood in any other
sense And We suggest to eur cotemporary tho pro-
pricty of dropping the word "nantile" hereafter in
application to others
The MEncURYs TTH ARTICLE.
We have no "widcr means Of information" than
has the Mercmy-yet We cognizant Of the passage
of the Fugitive Slave Law by Congress within the
last few years, and know it to be 90 more explicit
recognition of our rights to fugitive slaves." The
Advertiser is aware that those rights existed before
the passage of the law, that they had their being in
the Constitution ITSELF and that the Supreme Court
was always ready to pronounce upon them according
ly. But dcfnitive Act by Congress and an express
judgment by the Supreme Court have certainly served
to render those rights moro clear to the country a
large and the enjoyment of them more secure to the
people of the South. 1t is this new recognition o.
our rights by the authorities Of the Federal Govern
mcnt that has provoked Ohio and Massachusetts, tc
the adverse steps they have taken. They perceive the
superior expcitness of the recognition, although thu
Mercury cannot; and their anti-savery majoritie!
been prompted to attempt its defeat even to tht
extent of quasi resistance to the Law Of Congress
Why should they do this if it were not clear to then
that the South had "gained moro explicit recogni
ton of her rights" IF we remember correctly (th'
paper is not before us that Inv made sundry provs
ions for the more certain enforcement of our right
and set forth the duties of the Executive as we'll
of the United States Marshals and their subalterns
for its effectual execution. The Mercury makes tn
unsupported assertion that the Law has been nopera
tive. We incline to think the contrary. Atleast tn
Government, in the person Of President Pierce, ha
stood forth boldly in the prosecution of those right
whenever occasion demanded; and We may confident
ly reckon upon an equal fahulness to his duties
this particular the part of the present Executive
If untoward circumstances still prevent the full an6
prompt execution Of the Law, that does not disprov
our position that the Government at Washington isil
this in other matters, openly and by its own mo
ton, on the side of our Constitutional rights.
The remarks of our cotcmporary about "slavespas
sing away" the "border States being drained" &c.
are naked assertions, and, even if correct have bu
little to DO with what have said of our rights
connection oith Congregational legislation.
And, then, us to the Tariff e1actons-the Mercnr,
admits that "sma reduction ras made by th'
Tariff passed at the last Congress-" which is exact,
what we said neither less nor more. Of course w
are aware that the present revenue exceeds the pur
poses of IN economical administration Of the Gov
crnmcnt, and, with the Mercury We say, MS we have
often said that this is thing to be dcplored,-nay
more, we believe our Tariff regulations present ths
highest field of action now open to the exertons o
Southern members Of Congress. With many others
we have looked with pride and hope to the admirable
efforts of our talented representative, Hon. W. w
BoYcE, upon this question; rejoiced that he hat
selected so important field of labor and were more
than gratfed by the able in which he enter
cd upon it. The State the Country expect yet more
Of him. and we doubt not his determination to come
up fully to that expectation. The Uercmy canno
wish him God-spccd moro fervently than docs th'
Advertiser. With Mr.. BoYcE, We are for Free Trad
and Direct Taxation but, like him, We are aware
that this consummation must be approached by grad
ual steps, Ultimate success is to bc found IN nj
other course Ultrasm in this, upon the SLAYER.
question, is likely to defeat the end it seeks to maxi
good. Step by step We must move steadily on to vic
tory 1t is in this aspect of the matter that we regnr'
the reduction embodied in the last Tariff with muel
satisfaction und lightly as the Mercury speaks Of it
its rate of duties averages l6 per cent whlo the Ia
riff of 1916 averaged % per cent. Even this, VT
submit though far short Of what it ought to be- i
yet sure indication of the steady progress Of corree
step further; And the day may not be distant
Zen Tariff, for any other object than revenue
will be numbered among the evils Of the past. II
the Mercury will exhibit to us any feasible and prac
ticnblc plan of achieving this end Mt once, VIC will
heartily unite in advocating it to the best of poor
ability. Until it does, wo will continue to thank
Heaven for every movement, however small, in the
direction of thut end. Neither would VIC hesitate
with these views, to look in consciousness Of right
"townr,ls the statue of our rcvcred CALHOUN" or, il
that great statesman were yet in life, to sit at bis
feet and confess the fnith thut is within u.s. feeling
assured that he would both applaud our aims and
sanction our policy.
p. S. Our reply to tho Mercury's Sth and last ar
tcle IL ready. We much regret that our limited space
positively forbids its appearance until next week
Containing, as it does, the conclusion of our reply
VIC should have been pleased to present it along with
what We publish this week, but must content cursc
with awaiting another issue of our paper. We will
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