Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-03-24
MIR. noYcE,s spEroH--monmoN1sM

MR.. BOYCE,s sPEECH--nIoRNONIs
We exclude our usual variety this week to give
place to the lutte speech Of Hon. W. W. BoYcE. The
reader will doubtless think us for doing 80. Like
Gov. HAxxoSps speech which we published last week,
it is easy of peruss because simple direct and free
from proli1ity both of thought and expression. 1t
has that peculiar quality of excellence which IN an
cient critic pronounced Of the chief requisites to
every good composition: wo mean degree Of clear
ness that leads many mind to suppose iaelf capnbe
of achieving similar task with ease, but which is in
ct the result often of careful thought and laburous
preparation. In addition to this, Mr.. BorcEs present
effort like nearly all his preceding ones in Congress-
is marked by freshness mud originality which are
seldom observable nowadays in Congressional debates
He docs wait until question has been argued out
and until its bearings have been reduced to their
'la,t expression, but rather grnprles with it While
st unstript of its doubts and difficulties.
In the case of his present speech this point Of merit
will be readily recognized md appreciated by every
reader. His subject hns The interest of novelty and
has been handled by the speaker with proprley ano
power. As relief from the tedium of the recent
Kansas debate, it has still another charm 1t is on
these accounts that We present the remarks Of our
talented representative in full do We imagine that
it is necessary second time to invite to them the
readers careful perusal.
We are little surprised to perceive an objection
raised in certain quarter to Mr.. BoYcI's position,
that war upon Utah by the Federal Government ought
to be avoided if possible. 1t had occurred to US that
this was one Of the most striking portions Of his argu.
mcn or that it would Mt least be considered in
latitude where the rights of states and communities
are usually guarded with such Cerberus-like ferocity
against every approach to Federal coercion. The
power of the sword is held to be tho last resort Of
American policy, with regard to foreign enemies
How much further then should the limits to its exer
else be strained in the case of American communities
within American territory! And yet come of our
ultra anti-Federa friends not only willing but
even anxious, that the poor deluded Mormons should
at once be made to feel the martial sway of Central
Power. To say that the Government only represents
the cononed sorreignties of the Satos in 30 doing
does not relieve the matter of its harshness the agent
while thus (ruly perhaps) the representative Of the
to crush by the power Of the sword unhappy fac
ton of the American people-atill an armed poten-
tat0 marching out upon the grisvous mission Of she'd
ding American blood on American soil. If the very
extreme of forbearance be not the duty Of our gov
ernment at Washington in all such cases, have in
correctly estimated tho wisdom Of its formation The
spirit of the Confederation, as Mr. BoYcE ably shows
=, of oc .x,n &c 1nip IN
others as we would they should do unto us-it is in
short Christian spirit 1t as to our outward pol
icy,and especially to our internal affairs. The
bulwark of our Republican system is found in the lin
itations of Federal Powor and for one We feel some
misgivinss at every display of that power against
portion Of our own people, and particularly so when
it is accompanied with the gtterug pomp and circum,
stance Of war.
True cnses may arise in which it may become abso.
utely necessary to exert this power. 1t may become
80 in the cnse Of Mormonism. But We agree with Mr.
Borcr in snying that it SHOULD only be exered, when
pacific measures have been all tried in vain. Tho po
sition assumed by our representative s strong one
viewed only in this light, and taken in connection
with his other weconsidered reasons and suggestions
deserves and should receive the earnest attention o
Congress and the Administration. It is probable tha
WAT against Mormonism in Utah may be somewhat
popular measure at the outset Religious enthusiasts
may approve it moral grounds. Politicians may
regard it as gol-send to distract public attention
from evils nearor tho heart of the Republic. The
army and its influences will lean most ayorably to its
prosecution, from blended motives of ambition md
honor. But the hue and cry in it's favor will surely
bo' but temporary. What with its intcrnecuc pccu.
aritie its enormous expense the petty sum Of glory
to Le derived from it, and the outstanding truth tha
the difficulty was not impossible Of adjustment Oh
peaceful grounds, such war; a. at present inaugurs
ted, is unworthy great and free country like ours