Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-11-30
The LEGISLATURE.

tne state anu Tor other purposes. The Session, 1t
is anticipated will be one of considerable interest.
Among the moro important matters to come up
for discussion, the question of further aid to the
Blue Ridge Railroad will occupy no small space.
1t is indeed question which our legislators should
examine in every aspect with especial pans-t taking.
Drcsting themselves of I'LL manner of prejudice or
pique, and rising above mere pride of opinion,
they should como anew to the work of discussion
and investigation, and regulate their fra! dcci-
sion by the facts and probabilities of the case
they now appear: And ne doubt not that such
will be tho patriotic and conscientious course Of
overy member of our present Legislature This
decision will, in the estimation of many, mark an
era in the progress Of South Carolina. The res
possibility it involves, is Of that enlarged and
general character which will (favorably or unfa-
vorably) affect the sagacity and reputation of eve
ry man who votes upon it, and that too for ages to
como. The record, whether pro or con, will be a
marked chapter in our Legislative Annals; And
our grsat.grand- d-ehildron will know and remember,
either with bitterness or with pride, tho name Of
every man concerned in its final making.up. In
tho vote Of Inst Session, the Edgefcld delegation
was divided. 1t il hopefully expected that they
will this winter present united front in favor Of
the measure Of aid. I ,re is no room to doubt
that Edge6eld District earnestly desires thcm to
occupy this position 1t is for them to say whether
this desire can be gratifcd. No purpose to die
tate course to our members has been manifested
or entertained. If it had been felt their we'll
known intelligence and frmness would have re-
sisted the force and the prupriety Of any such at
tempt. And yet, what the large body Of repre-
sentatve's constituency feel, is matter which he
cannot disregard in justice to himself and to the
intcrestshohas in charge. What will bottle course
of our delegation, what will be the fate Of the
measure, are points we may soon Gee determined
May that determination be accordant with the
high principles of progress that are sweeping over
all barriers, and making the Atlantic Statos Of
this Union the garden spot of modern civilization.
After the Blue Ridge Railroad. it may be that
Federal politics will occupy the tapis with some
prominence. There ia rumor that ferco reso-
lutions to be popped in from a certain quarter
in regard to the Harper's Ferry affair, &c. This
may not be amiss; although, as gentleman of
excellent Judgment remarked the other day in our
hearing, it would perhaps be rs well to avoid all
hgh-sounding threats and let Virginia quietly
hang the wretched mRcreants, as she assuredly
will do and can do without the huzzas of her South
ern hackers.
The coming Presidential campaign, it is qup-
posed, will likewise afford subject-matter for 9th.
er resolutions. We take it, that tho action of the
Alabama and Mississippi Legislatures will be a.
writel before the introduction Of any such resou-
tions into our own Legislature IF those States do
nothing in the matter of Federal politics. it does
seem TINT South Carolina's better part would aso
be, to remain quiet. Ii they think any expression
of sentiment or of policy injudicous Mt this par
tcular time, such expression by our State would
surely incur their disapprobation and certainly
injure tho cause Of Southern unity. But even
should those two States resolrc and declare in ad-
vance Of tho Campaign and the Charleston Con-
vcntion, it may well be doubted whether South
Carolina should not still rect calmly upon her oars
aud watch the counsels Of Virginia, North Caro-
lima, Georgia. Louisiaun, Texas, and the rest. It
is time for great caution on our part. AS to be-
ing ready for any rational measures in further
auce of Southern rights which our sitter Slave
states, or Cotton states may unite upon, the whole
country knows that South Carouians are always
anime opiJusque parafi,-no need Of syllable of
resolutions to make this clear. It stands there
upon our bunner,-t is everywhere us palpable as
u "city set upon hill" What then arc We to
resolve about? Our principles? They arc now
idcntically the same rs they have been for years
past We are all States Rights Democrats and
Southern Rights Democrats too; And the world
around knows this as well as they know tho name
of our State. but it is urged that We must re-
solcc und declare in Legislature assembled, against
tho Douglas hcresies and against Douglas NOM
iuation ut Charleston. But would this do our
Southern Cause any good Surely not, if neither
Alabama nor Mississippi set us tho example. If
they so did, and South Carolina followed suit
what then? Neither Georgis, nor Texas, nor Tir-
giuia, Louisiana, at ali expected to 80 into
the Charleston Convention under amy such shack
les. We arc then but aiding Alabama and Mis-
means = pr.bsL!e one) to split the South into fac
tions and destroy her ability for good in the Pres.
iLcntal struggle. Next comes the election Of
Black Republican, finding the South ~ divided as
to be utterly unwilling to unite on that event,
in withdrawing from the Union. Will it be said
that Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina at
least can unite and withdraw? A most improbu-
bic thing. Take Alabama for instance. II sho
does pursue the course We have hypotAecated, it
will be triumph of the YAycEY Democrats over the
FIrzrA7ErcK Democrats. We need look no fur
thor for tho seeds of strife that will parnlyse Al
ALBANIA when the issue Of disuniun, with all its un
certuiutics, is brought before the people
Another view In aiming atSenator DOUGLASS
downfall, you may elect him to the Presidency,
thus: Inccnsed by these hostile guns Mt himself
from Democratic batteries, be may be compelled
by Il natural resentment Of injury to unfur bis own
banner and fight at the head Of his own column on
his own account. fhe does the election will
probably so to tho IIousc Of Representatives, and
there his chances will bc Ms good rs any mans.
There, he will perhaps be found to be the only
man who can defeat the Black Republicans. And
there, buster as some of us in Mississippi Alaba-
mi and South Carolina may, he pW be preferred
10 Black Republican if it comes to that issue.
Under the circumstances then, would il not be
much better that our Legislature shuuld remain
silent, that Delegates should be appointed in due
time to the Charleston Convention, and that our
MIN in ull we do should bc afliliation with tho
South through the instrumentulity of the Demo-
cratic organization. In this way uluno, can wo
hope TO elect Southern President. And thus on
ly, il Black Rerubicnnisln triumphs, will the
South be left in cnIlditiun to use TINT uccRsiOn