Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-11-10
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.


constitution BY those who framed It, never
supposed it applicable to any principle of our
government, and having been surrendered to
the almost exclusive use, in this country, of tho
federal consolidationists, have ever myself re-
pudiated It. But if a southern " national DEM
octat" means one who is ready to welcome into
our ranks with open arms, and cordially EN-
brace and promote according to his merits, eve
ry honest free State man who reads the constl-
tuition IS We do, and will cooperate with us in
its maintenance, then belong eo that party,
call it as you may, and should grieve to lind
q southern man who did not.
But, on the other hand, having been oil my
life, and being still, an ardent State Rights"
man-belicving estate Rights" to be an essen
tial, nay, the essential element of the constltu-
ton, and that no one who thinks otherwise can
stand on the same constitutional platform that
do it seems to me that am, and all those
with whom act habitually are, if democrats
at all, true "State Rights Democrats" Moth
ing in public affairs so perplexes and annoys me
as these absurd party names, and never co"io
be interested in them. l could easily conpre-
hend two great parties, standing on the TWO
great antagoniStic principles which are inherent
In all things human: tue II .ht and tie "rons
the good and the evil according to the peculiar
views of each individual; and was never a.
loss to find my side, as now, in what are known
ss tho democratic aud republican parties OF TN:
country. But the minor distinctions have, Tor
the most part, seemed to me to be fictitious anu
factious, gotten up by cunning men tor seihsh
purposes, to which the true patriot and honest
man should bs slow to lend himself. For my
self, and for you, while ] represent you shall
60 for the constitution strictly construed ana
faithfully carried out. / will make my light,
such as it may be, by the side OF any man,
whether from the north, south, east, or west
who will do the same; and will do homage TO
his virtue, his ability, his courage, and, so lar as
can, make just compensation Tor his tolls ana
hazards and sacrifices. As to the precise inoie
anl manner of conducting this contest, that
>must necessarily to great extent depend upon
the exigencies that arise; but Ut course coulu
be compelled by no exsency, BY no purity ties
or arrangements, to give up my principles, or
the least Of those principles which Constitute our
great cause.
IF the South has any desire to remain in the
Union, and control it, she, az her safety requires
that she should, in some essential particulars, 1t
ahe does remain in it, must ooaoilliate her north
ern allies. She must be just, kind and true, to
oil who are true to truth and to her. But if she
determines, AMI whenever she determines, to
throw off her northern friends and dissolve this
Union, need scarcely say that shall, without
hesitation, 20 with her fully and faithfully. l
do not for moment doubt that in or out Of
this Union, she can sustain herself among the
foremost nations of tho earth. All that she re-
uuires is the uuion of her own people, and hap
p,ily they never were at any former period so
united and harmonious a. now. A homogene-
.ous people, with our social and industrial instl
tutions the same everywhere, and all our great
interests identical, we should always have been
united in our moral and political opinions and
policy. The ambitious dissensions Of the host
of brilliant men whose names adorn our annals,
have heretofore kept US apart. The abolition
lists have, at length, forced upon US knowledge
of our true position, and compelled US into union
an union not for aggression, but for defence !;
purely conservative Of the constitution and the
constitutional rights of every section and OF
every man. The union Of these States, from
the Canadas to the Rio Grande, and from shore
to shore of tho two great oceans OF the globe,
whatever splendor may encircle it, is but poll
cy and not principle. 1t is subordinate to
rights and interests. But the union OF the slave
holIers of the South is principle involving all
our rights and all our interests. Let that union
be perfect and perpetual. 1t constitutes our
strength, our safety and prosperity. Let US
frown down every proposition that might seri-
ously divide US, and present to our assadants
from every quarter solid and impregnable
phalanx.. Let .us also give to the winds every
lthought Of fear, evers-feeling. of dependency,
and fully comprehending, and temperstely but
resolutey asserting, our great power in this con-
federacy aud throughout the world, let US devel-
ope and consolidate our resources, and devote
ourselves manfully and hopefully to the accom-
plishment of the magnificent future that is within
our reach.