Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-26
From tho Charleston Courier.
CEN pONHiM.

We chcerlullv give place tu ;e explanatory
reioinder of this distinguished gentleman, in ret
,erence to his vote on the Conterrllce Kansas
Bill and. at his instance, we have iurnishad j
for insertion in the other daily papers OF the city
Never have we, for moment, doubted the Pl
triotism or puriy of motive Of Gen. B IN voting
~ he did but we still regret that even views ol
duty, which we believe to have been .erroneous
should have induced him aud Gen. Quitman to
break the unity Of the Southern phaanx, when
past, present and coming events all Indicate that
The union and harmony of the South are esseatt
al to tn, best interests OF the South. Our COM
ment. which called forth Gen. B'S. reply, was
penned in oil kindness aud respect, towards the
gallant successor of the lsmented Brooks, and al
so towards his distinguished brother officer, III
the Mexican war, and colleague i'll Congress; and
Yprang only from our disappointment that the
moral force of the Southern Democracy, in the
kansas issue, should have been brokeh Ly lack
of.entirc ua:snimty. 1t WAS m occasion, which
in our humble judgement, called for some. sacri
tice of opinion, and especially Of extreme opinion
TO give unity to Southern action. We question
not the right or the motive, however, OF others
in adopting different course.
MessRs. EplroRs.--Ily attention has boeu
called, since returned to Washington, to the
annexed paragraph from the Charleston Courier
which had not seen before:
"Ouiman and Bunhdm.--lt is 10 be regretted
that these spirited Southrons should have broker
che unity of the Southern phalsnx, in the y0tt
on the Conference Kansas Bill, especially as j
placed them in temporary panionship with
the Black Republicans and their new ally, the
Black Douglas. Surely there can be neither dis
csetion nor policy, in thus declining fellowship
with an almost unanimous Souik, spd with aH til.
faithful Democracy Of the North, against the
Black Republican cohort and their corpssals
guard Of Democratic renegades. We learn, how
ever, from reliable authority, that the gallant
Bonham was led or misled, in his course, chiefly
by his reluctance t6>sever from Gen. Quitman
his equally gallant commander in tho Mexican
war"
The Courier has, perhaps, Inexperienced its
= informant. If not, its informant is in error in
saying I" was led or Inislcd, in my course, chief
ly by my (his) reluctance to sever from Gen.
Quitnan,," &c.
have the highest regard personally and polit
ically for the distinguished Mississippiun, viii,
whom have had the honor to be associated in
this matter, and the opinions have deservedly
great weight with me- although We did not stand
towards each other, in Mexico, i'll the relation
supposed. But could not feel greater reluctance,
Snor even az great) at severips from him, thai
did at serering from my own colleagues, TO
say nothing Of t4e entire Southern Democratic
party; for the opinions Of each and Of all whom
/ have the most profound ksspact, and for one
ef whom have from early lnlaqGq~l ehrrished
the war,nest rpsasa and attachment, personally
and politically.
1 took my position as the Independent repre-
sentative of the Fourth Congressional District,
sitter calm and deliberate consideration Of the
whole question, for reasons satisfactory to my
self, which feel it due to my constituents, as
we'll as myself to give to the public at an early
Say.
Whilst shall do 81. take this occasion to
say that should deprecate any division in our
own or any other Southern State on this ques-
ton, at time when harmony at home on the
great issues of the day is of so much couse,
auence to the South and that make no war
upon others, but shall be prepared to defend my
own position whenever assailed.
am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
N. L. BoNHAM.
C;t- Nov