Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-10-06
THE sLAyE.TRADE AGITATION.

in South Carolina, 10 DflnE DeloTs lao eountJ sS
| subject of the ,ival of the African Slave Trade
Without entering into the long discussion FOR and
against the probabilities of henet to Southern inter-
ests by renewal Of this trade there aevern pre-
cedent Considerations well calculated to "givo us
pause" in tho matter Of its present agitation.
| J. 1t has been we'll said, that it is an mpractcable
issue whl, the Union of these States shall continue
to exist. The vote Of Congress upon tho well-known
resolution Of Col ORR, has given g"etHs to its dis
cussiuu in tho Federal Legislature, from which none
may reasonably expect that it soon be rescusta-
ted. Tho decroe of the Areopagus has been pro-
nounced, and with such remarkable unanimty as to
leave small hope of its ever being reversed. The
South, the North, the East, and the West, thereby
agreed to Danish the agitation from the Halls Of Con-
srcss-if not forever yet with such singular readl-
ness and decision for the tnebeing as gave to their
action tho validity of most powerful moral prcce-
dent for the guidance Of future Congresses But in
dcpcrdent of this hnmistakeable demonstration by
the representatives of all the statcs it needs no sum
ming up of the proof to show th:t, not only at the
North but also throughout the South there is senti-
ment Of opposition to the revival of the African
Slave Trade, which might attach to it's attempted
agitation in Congress the most disastrous
2. Among theac consequences, dissolution OF the
Union would not have place; although it is notim-
probable that some of the Slave Trade agitators may
hone in their secret hearts thatt would But no. the
| Unun would stand unshaken, if not stronger from
any attempt at II revival of the Slave Trade; while
the South might become distracted and weakened,
and thus lose much of her moral and her political
strength in the Cvnfcderacy. we say the South
might become" 50; for there is only bnre possbil-
ty thut the question would be 80 fur cvuutenanccd
amongst as to grow into serious matter. Should
it however assume the shape md proportions Of
living ssue We repeat that its most probable results
would be strengthening Of the North and q disas-
trous weakening Of the South, while the Union,
whether for good or fur evil would be further from
dissolution than ever. l. not this view equally cal
cuatcd to impress all true southeruers whether they
bc Slave Trade or anti Slave Trade men, conserva-
tive. Of Constitutional Union dsununists per Se
g. But there is another view Of tho, matter which to
our mind exhibits this agitation in the light of extreme
ra.hnesS, if not of highhauded presumption in the
sight of Heaven. The Southern States,-thc Stare
Statcs,-are ut present in condition Of unuxamped
prosperity. Their whole past hstory shows them to
have been prosperous, ever happy, in fpite Of
the unjust oppression of the government. in spite Of
the accumulated obloquy Of mankind. Even when
our McDUrpg painting to Congress the effects of
the tariff of lSaS, when i'll that high debate bis excl
ted mind represented the "decay and gloom and des-
olation" that were about to come our Southern
homes, when he fearfully forcsaw that soon there
would not be cone of the wilderness left on lis
stalk to tell where the garden had been, thcn
the South was prospecting above all the rest of the
earth. She has continued to do unintcrruptedly to
this day. and Is now watched and wondered at as the
wealthiest and the happiest of peoples. This s so
strikingly true that no will gainsay it.
Taking it in connexion with the popularity of our in
stitutous and with the admitted fact that for long
time the moral sentiment of the world was ut cnmity
with us it forms ut the most brilliant and the
most Of human prosperity. Whence
comes it, but that have always been the specially
favored Of almighty Providence. Observe tho pro-
gress of sunny South in the hands Of that benign
Providence. Possessing at the outset institution
of doubtful civilization, her people have been led on
year by year TO- the gradual improvement Of that in
ssitution. Almost barbaric though it was in its in
cipcncy, it has been subjected to the influences of
human legislation from time to time, it has been
amelioratcd by tho beams Of gospel truth from gene
ration to gonoration until II stands forth in COM
parative perfection, challenging tho aeverost tcss of
true philanthropy. Under Heavens protection and
direction, it has undergone its probation through a
long series of years. there havo been brought to bear
upon its proper development well the doubts of its
| IF &c The friu
has waxcd so warm ut different periods, that its pos
have wavered before tho outpidc pressure
the opposition. But sustained by the Gvcr of all
Good their actual prosperity has enabled them to
recover their ground and renew their strength. The
effect of this long and bitter strife has been the grad
ua but steady improvement Of our system Of domes-
tic slavery until it is just now emerging in full tr
umph and taking its place bofurc mankind as n
perfected institution. Under its advantages as
perfected, enjoy civil organization which is at
tracting the admiration md envy of the world. As
before said we are, as people, wealthy, prosperous
and contenled. In this bright noontide of our pro-
grcss tits, that the wisdom Of man would counsel us
to 60 back to the deeds of past day and attempt
dark experiment for yet greater prosperity thnn the
full measure which has already been accorded to u.s.
Not Satisfied with having been guided by Heaven
through the dangers Of century, and with having
been placed upon an emnence Of good fortune unpar-
alelled among the nations of men, We must seek to
redoube all this by punging again into turbid tide
of desperate adventure doubtful in policy as it
in humanity Theconclusion which forces itself upon
Us is, that such counses mere tempting of Heaven
to tho enlangerng Of a the good that has heretofore
been youchsaled to us. Let us rather return thanks
for privileges secured, and await In patience the de-
velopncns of Providence US to our future lie has
guided thus far in safety. Let no mortal now seek
to grasp the reins Of our destiny and drive US on
towards false splendor Of his own vain imagining.
Let him who would dare to do So recall the fabulous
fate Of PHAEToS and beware.
| ---$s$--
GOLD EDGEFIELD."
BY some unaccountable accident, some inc1pca-
bio sin Of OMISSION have hitherto failed to notice
the proceedings Of the far-famcd "Vindictives" of
Newbcrry Town, having reerential (Which is very,
very different from reecrental) bearing upon our
selves and old Edgefeld" These proceedings
should be herewith published; but there is rather too
much of them in proportion to their nrinsical vu-
ueabiiity And must therefore consider ourselves
absulved from "going the whole hog" upon the con-
dun of fairly stating the full compass and volume
of bis tsquoal."
The "Vindictivcs" thon, be it known,-the "viu-
1 n -