Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-09-08

tre, IN order to restrain our rage, we are com.
PEELED to call their treschery simplicity, and
laugh at it as We would at the idle fancy of q
man who persists in building his OK stall while
his dwelling is on fire. AS they have done be-
fore, such men will betray the South in the
hour Of her most imminent peril and, drag
gng her down beneath the feet Of a great con-
solidated Government, controlled by great
National party, will become the charioteers Of
that government to drive the car Of its power
over their prostrate section; and, confounding
the Constitution and liberty with the Union
and party, will hurl their bolts Of destruction
at all who may presume to bewail its departed
glory.
According then, to my reading of the signs
of the times, the defeat of the National Demo
cracy in 1860 is absolutely certain. Before
this State therefore rllshes into its embraces it
is wise to consider what will be the effect Of
that development upon the Democratic party
in the Free StateS2 Is it not evident that for
all practical political purposes the effect will be
to kill that party stone dead? That result
must utterly disorganize and break it to pieces.
There would no longer be any leaders to point
its course or preserve its organization. Subse-
quent to defeat, it would be out of the ordi-
nary course of things to suppose that the Demo
Gratis Of the Free States would consent to re-
main in n minority Mt home to accommodate
their friends abroad, especially when they
agreed with their enemies and differed from
their friends on most grave question involving
sentiment and conscience. Such conclusion
is repugnant to all reason and experience, to
hold which is folly blind as midnight; and al
though in succeeding Presidential contest in
view of the spoils an effort might be made to
reconstruct the fallen fortunes Of the Democra-
cy, that effort could not be made on any great
question, principle or platform relating to the
rights of the South, for if it should Lc, second
defeat more disastrous if possible than the first,
would follow. Satisfied with what they had
done and suffered for tho South, on the first
disaster in Presidential contest, the North
ern Democracy, carrying with it the entire par
ty cvcrywherc, would abandon forever all at
tclnpts to uphold the rights of the slave section,
and, ever fruitfuLin inventions to obtain and
retain power before we were aware OF il, would
outstrip the Black Republicans themselves in
originating schemes to limit and conine the in
stitution ot slavery. And all this, let it be re-
ncmbcred, would be done in a manner so hand
some as not to give offence to their Slare-hold-
ing friends. To fail in this would be to &C
knowledge that they were political bunsers,
destitute of the arts necessary to achieve an
essential point of policy.
TO my mind, one of the mos. alarming fea-
lures in the condition of our affairs, is that the
National party in the Slave States, both in and
out of Congress, has perfect knowledge of the
game that is in progress, and yet will not cry
out against it, but by silence and inactivity
sanctions it. Scene after scene in the drama
of submission is unfolded md as soon as unfold
ed IS explained by Southern men, The unity
of party, fealty TO party, the triumph and con-
ssquent spoils of party are the ruling considera-
tons potential in all sections and to p1pular;ze
their position they claim to be par ercelence
the Union loving, Union-saring party. Here
is laid the foundation Of National Democratic
organization at the South There motto is
" The Onion must be rsserced." In my early
days saw an ensign flying with that inscrp-
ton while the stormy breath OF the National
Democracy kept it waving and the sbonts OF
the standard bearers were as the voice oi many
waters. have not fnrgotten,-it is impossible
that ! should forget the war of determination
wayed by the National Democratic party of
1882 against the great and glorious principles
of Staes Rights anu States Sovereignty, and it
is equally impossible that should forget how
South Carolina won honor as undying as truth
in their defence.
But it is claimed that the National party Of
this day, purged Of its errors, are our friends
and admit that we are right on the present great
questions. But is it not true that the party Of
'32 admitted that the South was right then and
the North wrong, but at tue same time decided
that the South must 60 down beneath the tread
Of an army with banners rther than that the
Union should DO disrupted? Will it, the Ma
tional Democratic party, not do the same again
The leaders and the rank and file Of that party
are protcctionists and friends of internal i'll.
practically, | care not what they
NAV be in platforms and resolutions Suppose
then that they should actually pass protective
tariff like that Of % or 40 what possibility
would there be for the escape of the South
from its intolerable expressions and exactions2
None, none, absolutely none. Could the South
ern wing resort to qualification 2 No, that
would be measure of diSunion against which
the whole party is pledged; besides, the South
would be told that the secure enjoyment OF her
slave property depended upon the integrity of
the National Democratic party, and to it there
fore she must remain faithful.
Loukins then to the certainty Of the triumph
of Black Ropubcanism in 1860, and the con-
sequent diSntegraton of the National Democ-
racy, rs well as to the incongruous elements OF
which that party is composed, repeat that
the idea Of preserving its organization on basis
favorable to the security of the South is abso-
lutely preposterous. In what then does the
profound anxiety manifested by certain politi'
clans in Congress for all unconditional ainalga.
nation Of the State Rights party Of South Caro-
lima with tho grand National organization orisi-
nate? Ever since 1887, the State has uniformly
voted with the Democratic party, but sbe has
done this without surrenderins herself to its
or domination. She proudly stood
upon her ancient principles and voted for the
Democratic nominees because she chose to do
so and not because she was forced into the
measure under the obligations Of party alliance.
During all the while no commonwealth of an
cient or modern times occupied more honora-
be or influential position. Her public men OF
all that period were the glory of the Conietle-
racy; and her people, animated with State
pride and profoundly versed in the true prlncl-
pies of their government, though weak in polt-
cal elements, welded moral power in its ad-
mnistraton that absolutely amazed corrupt
party leaders at Washington. Again ask why
do certain politicians insist on pulling down the
State from her proud position Of Independence
where she remains mistress of her own move
ments2 Is she terrible in her virtue and there
fore must be dcbauched2 DO they tlistr,,st the
fidelity of her people to their own great princi-
pies so long cherished by them? Or do they
fear that the people, holding steadfastly to those
principles, may obstruct their path to NatiQlal
Office and power? May We not ask those eager
politicians what better service she could render
tLo royornment in its efforts to uphOld the Com