Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-03-18
From the Carolina Timrs.
nnv arYpr Ann spRAKRR RANKS,


psid BY the Magistrate advertising.
From the Carolina Timvs.
GOV. AIKEN AND SPEAKER BANKS.
The conduct of the Hon. William Aiken, the
distinguished Representative in Congress, from
the District of Charleston, in reference to Mr.
Speaker Banks, has struck not only the people
Of South Carolina, but Of the whole country,
with the most profound astonishment. We are
free to confess-and we record it with deep re-
gret-that We share largely in this astonlshment
We are amazed to think, that one occupying his
distinguished position on-with his political antece
dents0once an honored Senator and subsequent
". by the exercise Of peculiar favor, elected the
Governor of a high.toned and chivalrous people
with property which, in magnitude and Eind.
identifies him more largely with the people OF
the South. than almost any citizen she has-a
man of noble and elevated sentinents-as sen
sitiye and as devoted to the honor OF ms native
State al to his own--a gentleman OF education,
of political experience, and with opportunities
10 form clear and correct judgment OF what
was due to himself and to the people he repre-
sented-when, we say, We consider all these
things, we are lost in amazement at the pare
contemplation of this one act, so extraordinary
in its character, so unexpected Us proceeding
from such an agent =.
To say that We feel morti6ed-deeply NORTH
ed, would be to give but feeble expression to
the emotions it has excited 1t is source OF
profound humiliation-of deep and predominant
shame-of humiliation when We reflect that one
whose public character and private virtues we
appreciate and respect so much, could so tar tor
get what was due to his own exalted character
even though for q moment, rs t. stoop 10 the
low.level Of this arch enemy of all his State ana
paople hold most dear-and of shame from a
profound conviction of the utter unworthness OF
the object thus distinguished by this signal act
of favor.
We believe that we know the sentiment that
actuated Mr.. Aiken, and induced this retnarka-
Bile demonstration. We trust, too, that we are
not incapable of approaching it. But while the
sentiment, regarded as sentiment, is honorable
to humanity, it is not At all times proper to fol'
low its dictates 1t is honorable to rise superior
10 the feelings of disappointed ambition or NOR,
ti6ed pride, which personal rivalry and political
strife so often eugender. In moving that a reso-
luton of thanks to Mr.. Speaker Banks be voted,
"for his able ard impartial discharge of his dn'
ties" rs the presiding officer of the House. Mr.
Aiken no doubt regarded it as an act OF magma,
nimity-and truly it was an act OF unparalleled
,nagnaninlityl But was it just act in its en-
ercise? Was it proper, under all the clrcum'
stances7 Was it such an act as suited the rela'
tions between Mr.. Aiken, his constituents, his
State, and the recipient Of this distinguishing
mark of favor? There is something strlklngly
noble in magnanimous act-ln the exhibition
of the power to rise superior to the personal con-
siderations or selfish motives that are supposed
actuate the majority of mankind. To revenge
is human-to forgive, divine. 1t is an heroic
act to forgive our euemy when we are in con-
dition to be revensed. Yes-it is noble and it
is magnanimous to forbear furnishing your enc
my-one, it may be, who has deeply wronged
you-to forego revenge when revenge would be
easy. 1t is not, however, invariably So there
are cases in which to forbear to punish would be
highly criminal.
We regard Mr.. Speaker Banks as no better
than an inceudiary. We regard him and the
party with which he acts, with whose fortunes
he is identified, and of which he is chosen
and favorite leader, as tho sworn enemies of the
South, desiring, plotting and comprising moth
ing so much ns her destruction. Mr.. Speaker
Banks, we repeat, is one of the chosen, trusted
leaders of the Blnck Republican Party. BY
, them, that ia the Black Republicans, he was
selected to fill the chair ho occupics-and elec.
ted over Mr.. Aiken and others. His sentiments
his principles of action, in common with his
party, are those of the incendiary- the senti
ments and the principles of those who would
fire your dwelling would murder your wife and
children-would plumber your property-would
rob you Of all you hadl Mr.. Speaker Banks
would sacri6ce-would consign to hopeless ruin:
an entire hall of the Union, to ensure the tri.
umph of his principles and party-the party OF
Pandemonium-the principles Of Demon Mr..
Speaker Banks openly avows opinions that lead
directly and lead inevitably, to insurrection, ra-
pine, and murder! He boldly proclains HIM
self an enemy to the South-to the institutions
Of the South Mr. Speaker Banks has identified
himself with party which repudlates the Con.
stitution, and unblushiugly proclaims higher
law" than tie instrument they are sworn to obey!
Mr.. Speaker Banks would put the. knife of the
midnight assassin to your throsts-he would re-
gard with complucency, the murder of our wives
and children! Mr. Speaker Banks could thus
coateatedly slsep NTH blood upon lbs soal!!
And was it proper for Mr.. Aiken to move
vote of thanks to such man as this? There
is Justly said to bs moral fitness in all things,
if we can only ascertain what it is, but such an
act, coming from Mr.. Aiken or any Southern
Representative, strikes US as very improper.
The Black Republicans were astonished-the
Southern Representatives were amazed. Strange
to say--a large majority Of them afterwards vo
ted for it, for which they are responsible. At
the bar of public opinion then, they must an
swer.
Was j. not quite enough that Mr.. Aiken, by
the exercise of an unparalleled act of courtesy,
conducted Mr.. Speaker Banks to the Chair?
Assuredly, this act was striking and sufficient
demonstration that he was superior to any feel
ing Of onvy or mortified vanity, or disappointed
ambition. This was proof enough that such ig-
noble feelings had no abiding place in his noble
heart. We say that this was enough-and, though |
all did not even then approve, yet, all did not
condemn. Blu. when in addition to bis numer;
uus acts of personal kindness, consideration and
courtesy, Mr.. Aiken supsrasdds: ss: the gratuit0us
of thanking him, for what? Why, for not hav-
ing acted as bad y, perhaps, as he feared or as
be anticipated, or expected OF, for having ad.
uinistered the duties or discharged the functions