Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-11-17
WHAT ARE WE TO DOT

future fute problem Of great interest Hitherto
many Of us had hoped that tho justice Of its cause
would continue its dominance, as party in the coun-
try, to tho sx,out Of controlling tho legislation OF
Congress aud tho administration Of tho Government
But the rscunt developments arc of = character to
reduce this hupefuuess to narrow and doubtful ba-
s. True, VIC cannot say that the days Of Democratic
power are numbered. It may be that some rsnc-
tim will take place in the Northern mind in time to
save tho next Presidential Election to tho Democracy
There would be ground for this expectation,
in tho ultrasectioual platform Of principles already
indicated by SswARp. Tho tendency Of his ultrai'm
may pssiby be, to the sound men and proper
y-hoders Of the North to true .cnse of the dan
gers that threaten the Unon Abolitionisu may de-
feat iself by its hot haste. Yet the immediate
signs Of tho times arc full Of meaning and dark with
coming ev Tho tide appears At present to be against
our soctiou whatever reasonable hope Of its ebb is
yet left US; And it is surely period when Southern
men should take counsel together brothers and ask
among Themselves the important question, What
are We to do7"
Our intelligent correspondent from Washington
makes c.lculstion by which he arrives at the con-
cusion that tho Democratic Party may still CONTROL
the next Administration. But this. it sOrs, can only
be done by a coalition with DOUGLAS md his Anti
Lecompton wing Of the Democracy. Now, tho first
question for the South to consider is here presented
Can she rs = section, coalesce with man who has
proclaimed principle, in regard to tho territories 30
discordant with her own cherished yiews! Or can
shs, as the great element of Democratic strength,
consent to unite again with one who has deserted that
pn.ty, on Southern question, at its time of need
and who by the arguments ho has used to save him
self at home, has not only weakened the Democracy
in tho estimation of the country, but has afforded d
rect moral aid and comfort to it's bttsrcst political
foes, and the btsreEt opponents Of Southern wefnre
Shall the South tho South do this? For one, as
at present advised would say that she cannot do
50 consistently with either sectional honor or party
faith. We regard DOUGLAS detection ns tho chief
owl agency in the late untowsrd results at the North
orn baot-box: and it may thus come to be regarded
rs the "dreful cause of woes unnumbered" to tho
American Union. As politician, the Illinois sena-
tor is doubtless powerful, and able too statesman.
But We have ever feared him. since his two-fuced nd
vocscy of the Kansas pnd Nebraska bills,-touching
one chord for northern oars and totally different ono
for Southern lie stands FORTH to uf, in the light Of
on ambitious and dangerous loader Of mon. In ono
point of view, lie is to the Democratic Party what
ACHILLES was to the Grecnn Camp: able and bravo
enough in fgbt but too sensitive to tho luxury Of COM
mand to harmouzo with other leaders for tho common
good. Iois than this, fear thcrc is already
ground for thinking that hO would sell the camp to
the enemy, if it wero needed to promote his own
greatness.
But it is said il do not cooperate with DOUGLAS
the Democracy is down forever. 1t may be so. And
yot it docs preferable to risk that result rather
than fraterni.c assin with who has already de-
serted tho 6sli Of his friends, and who may do 20
again at their hour Of greatest peril. If hs and Li,
followers are to come into the Charleston Convention
VI 1860, wo trust it will only DO under the ban Of
consure or upon full rccantation Of error. Whether
they come or not, tho South, matters now stand,
should claim the CONTROL of that Convontions action
as sine qua to its organization. She should not
only claim recantation and submission from the DoU1.
Las fsction but she should stsrny to It, that no
Tariff faction ralso Its voice In that council, II the
face of things at tho North shall not havo bOcomo
changed before that tme the South should claim to
arrange tno Or0er Of Datue IN tuo Cdn-
vass And sho SHOULD arrange it, that it should
other tsrminao in victory to bannsrs bs the
last political struggle Of the Union. Tho grent and
sufficient argument for this course is found in the
TRUTH that the direct issue Of disunion has become
necessary to strengthen the friends of order and JUS
tico at the North, aud to to them, and to
Selves triumph within tho Union, peace without it.
It has been suggested that tho Southern Logisa'
lures should at once take uto consideration the sub
joet, With riow of preparing in time for some mode
Of concerted action, should tho approaching omergen
clos of our position demand it. Would that it were
done Whould that Georgia, or Texas, or Alabama
or any other State would take the initiative Of reform
or disunion. As for our own State she noeds to dc
nothing. Sho should leave tho matter 10 the wisdom
of her sisters. Sbo is ready whenever they arc, tc
make the final great fight Let her remain as ,ho is
resolved but silent. If her sister slave States for
di,union. SO is ,he. If they for further struggle.
in tho Union, Is she as long as hope of redress i,
left. She i, Of tho South and With the South for wOa
| for WOO,