Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-09-29
10 Messrs S. S. Tompkins, Emmett Seibels, j.
B. Griffin, Loudon Butler and j. w. Hill
Committee.
IIEATIIMooR, Doushcrty Co. Ga.

Gentlemen: Yours of the 10th inst, inviting
my presence at dinner to be given by the
"Citizens Of .Edgefeld" to their immediate
Representative, the Hon. NJ. L. BoNHAM, was
duly received. thank you for giving me the
opportunity to minglc with you on that inter
esting occasion, but l shall Lave to deny myself
that pleasure.
As a Southern rights man, feel deep inter-
est in your festivity, and the occasion which
produces it, and as native South Carolinian,
have feeling of devotion and attachment
beyond my power to express. | am not a poll
ticln and in no way connected with places Of
political promotion, and it is not expected that
should, in accepting your invitation, enter
into discussion of political matters. You will
permit me however 10 say few words touch
ing the present condition Of the South.
Iregard the so-called Conference Bill as vo-
lative Of the Kansas Nebraska act, Us yet an
other surrender of Southern rights, as full of
deception, sustained by legislative trickery, and
as blemish upon the reputation Of every South
ern man who voted for it. After that vote was
taken, regarded the Southern rights party in
the Democratic element as reduced to tpo men
out of our entire delegation in Congress. One
of these was the noble and gallant Qutman who
has since gone to receive his reward "of well
done good and faithful servant"-for after so
much tidelity-in the midst Of so much descr-
tion-Heaven cannot close it's gates on his i'm
mortal spirit. The other was your true and
noble BoNHAM, who now stands alone, among
Southern Representatives, but is surrounded
and sustained by nearly all the South and her
gallant people feel that he is dear to their hearts
and to their homes! You cannot, within the
purvicw ofsour Republican simplicity, and in
dependence, honor him too highly.
While am so elated with your immediate
Representative, you must not consider me dis
respectful, if out of the abundance of my South
ern heart, say Senator HAMMOND has disap-
pointed the just expectations Of his warm
Southern friends That lie should have voted
for the Conference Bill is small matter COM
pared with the motives which influenced him,
as cxemplifcd in the report of his late speech
at Beech Island. That speech is eminently
Union, and transcendentally pacific. Coming
from the man who was tu wear "Calhoun's
MANTLE" it advises me that South Carolina
must look elsewhere, for the man to keep
alive and active the principle Of that great States
man.
1t is the more mortifying that the Senator i:
not alone, in his lowering Of the Southern
standard, and which is not to revive again un'
till a Black Republican shall be elected Presi.
dent, and "thcrc is repetition of the offence
We see Senator Hunter, through the "Rich-
mond South" and Jefferson Davis, in his OWL
proper person, joining in this cry of Union
that "masked battery from behind which the
rights Of the South are to be assailed." Anc
even the distinguished author Of this latter
sentiment, seems to have his ponderous brair
opiated with the saIne delightful recreation
while old Buck pats him on the back and CALL
him my friend Tombs." l do not include il
this category, Gov. Wise, for from him, the
good Lord deliver U.s."
This sudden change Of political phrase is tt
be ascrbed to the game of President making
and it ID pretty well settled that the next can
ditate of the Democracy will como from th'
South. As one of the renunciated, | Twill ven
ture the assertion that it is unnecessary for thes
gentlemen to look in that direction for the dis
tinguished head OF the Treasury Department
backed by the Cabinet and eighty millions o
patronage, has the "inside track" and vii
likely keep it.
i Wo would all be grateful to have Presiden
from the Cotton States, but unless he can reacl