Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-09-29
COLUMBIA, August, 3Oth, 1858.


COLUMBIA, August, 30th, 1858.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge
your invitation to he present on the occasion OF
public dinner, to be given your immediate
Representative, the Hon. NJ. L. BoNHAM, on
Thursday the End of September next ] regret
shall not be able to be with you on that day,
but try to assure you nevertheless, that no one
can more fully appreciate the high worth Of
your gallant Representative, than my humble
self. To the confidence and intimacy engen-
dered BY d somewhat extended acquaintance
with him, have now to add my admiration,
for that sagacty which could Illustrate the dis
guisers of the 'English Conference Bill" and
for that manliness which could know no COM
promise of justice or of right. congratulate
you then upon the possession Of a public SER
want, worthy of all confidence, and OF the high
est honor. He has not forgotten the ancient
prestige of his State for scrupulous devotion to
principle ;-he has not forgotten the teachings
of the wisest and purest statesman he has not
forgotten the regiments Of his own gallant con-
stitucncy,-and the escutcheon of South Carroll
ma has suffered no tarnish at his hands.
1t would, am aware, be a great presumption
on my part, to question either the wisdom or
motives of the rest OF our Delegation in Con-
gresS, who thought tit to differ with Gen. Box
HAM on this bill, land with regard to one at
least, cannot entertain the slightest doubt as
to his faithful adherence to the cherished doc
triue of the State)-yct, without committing
this presumption, I may be permitted to say,
that, to one brought up under the glorious
Estates Rights" principles of our beloved Com
lIl, 4 CIV ,pTo m hno nf
so much compromise for the sake of party, even
though it be the all triumphant Democratic.
And even at this point, fear the evil does not
rest, for, South Carolina-that South Carolina,
which so delighted to honor the great Calhoun
is not only claimed as Democratic, but as
"Maionally" Democratic, since we are sravely
told by those who "sit in the high places, that
there is no difference between the estate
Rights" and "National" wings Of that organ-
zation. Is this so indeed? Has our State so
soon forgotten by what party, was stricken every.
blow against her most cherished doctrine Of
9Free Trade" ""Statcs Sovereignty" "and Estates
Rights 2" Has she forgotten, alas that wealth
of memories, which clusters around the names
of her Calhoun, her McDutiie, her Hamilton,
and her Hayne? In the fourth Congressional
District, you at least can answer no! for BoS-
HAM is your standard bearer
I may be indulged here too perhaps if ven
ture to tresspaSs further upon your patience, by
touching q subject, which despite of its having
been denomnated " impracticable," %" visionary" !"
and "foolisb," does nevertheless occupy at this
time, much of the attention of the South.
There are many amongst US who recolect the
not distant past, when our Institution OF Slave
ry, was held by no stronger tenure than the
"bated breath" of concilliation; when, indeed, 1t
was considered the mere scaIolding, necessary
perhaps, for the erection of the building. but
still, to be stricken away when the editice was
completed Yet how does it stand now ? Driven
to combat with the fierce fanaticisln OF the
North, reason and research have alike lead us
to an impregnabe rock of defense. No longer
apologists for this condition of things in our
midst, but finding it sanctioned by Holy Writ,
and sustained by the precedent OF wisest an
tiouity, we boldly proclaim ourselves ready,
if necessary, to defend it with the bayonet, and
determined to transmit it to our latest posterl-
ty. say such is our present position on tue
subject Of slavery, and he who gainsays it, is
filter associate for Giddings and Greeley than
for the people of the South. Is 1t unwise,
visionary, or foolish then, with this determine.
ton on our part, and with the world srraycd
against us to devise means by which this lnstl'
tuition is to be upheld and strengthened? ? Mr.
Giddngs tells us, indeed, that his party watch
word Of no more slave States" is no longer to
be the rallying cry for abolition hordes; bu1
mark you ,uhy; the whilom silenced, but never
abandoned Wilrnot Proviso, is to be condition
annexed to our territorial governments. Admi-
rable concession! Glorious "mora5 victory" o
the South No State without the chrysais
territorial condition-no territory without the
Wilmot Proyiso! What matters it that VIC
now stand as fifteen Southern States, including
Delaware, 10 eighteen Northern! What matter
if Kansas is to swell that number at the next
session of Congress 10 nineteen against us, des
mite the Conference humbug and its requisitior
Of ninety-three thousand inhabitants? What
matters it that the territories west and north
west of US are rapidly advancing to that condi
ton when they, too, shall demand admission 81
freesoil States2 Has not MIR. Giddings told III