Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-03
For the Advertiser.
POlitlcals

Since tho beginning of our Government there
has been no period in its history whose immedi-
atc future presented an aspect Of 80 much confu-
sion and the Commonwealth has never been in
d dilemma from which it was more difficult to
cxtricatc it.
There is but ono party in the country-thc
Black Republican, which .thcrc scoms to be
anything like concert of action, and this is en-
tirely of sectional character and has for its ul
innate object the humiliation of the Southern por-
ton of the Confederacy. The Black Republicans
may profess whnt intentions they please, but the
Acknowledgement Of tho South stands out in bold
relief from their platform as the ultima thule Of
their aims.
The other great party-the Demooratic-upon
which the South has almost solely rolled for the
protection of her rights since 1924, which has Ca
ken the Constitution under its wing, and borne it
unscuthed, if not purified, through prosperity and
adversely up to the present time, is divided and
split up into factions and differences, which seem
to an unprcudiccd observer, to DO irrccoucleablc.
They are not mere formal or technical differences
of party organization or tactics, but differences in
matters of principle Of great, vital and paramount
consideration.
Unfortunately for tho South, she il the victim.
and real sufferer from these schisuutc move
ncnts. She committed her rights and honor to
the " National Democracy" and with its fall she
may expect her own ruin. Mr.. R. 3. Rhctt, the
champion of that branch of the Democracy
which repudiatcs the National element" and as
.u1ncs the more exclusive denomination Of Estates
Rights Democracy" advises the dissolution of
his Unun Internationally, as the only safety for
tho South, and the only matter in politics worthy
OF her consideration.
Mr.. WN. L. YAScEY, another representative of
tho States Rights School, would, Ms one might in
fer from bis lrtc speech in Columbia, maze unoth-
er effort in the Union, by al attempt To repeal the
Statutes restricting the Slave Trade, and to pro-
cure IL special Congressional code for the prOtec-
fiun OF slavery in the Territories. Whilst others,
If equal ahity and distinction, favor REOPEN
ng of the African Slave Trndc rs u matter of cx-
pedicney, proclaim defiance to the prohibitory
Laws; and all would have their pct schemes en-
crossed in tho platform upon which the whole
Democratic Party is to net in 1860,
On the other hand there are those of n more
moderate way Of thinking, who d" net thoroughly
rrpnrlintc the National element" and do not re-
gard it sin to net with Northern man if lc be
honest and liberal, and can discover compatibility
5etwecu National and States Rights Democracy,
who vet differ from each other MS far as the South
Pole is distant from the Surth upon principles
which intimately concern the stability and future
independence of the Southern country.
The Northern or "Squattor Sovereignty" wing,
with Judge DOUGLAS Mt its head, in utter perrcr-
sion of one of the fundamental principles Of our
Government in fact of the foundation Of its pop
ular sovereignty, which they degrade into Squat
tcr-Sovereignty, would invest Territorial Logis-
luturc Il mere creature Of the General Govern
meut, an organization which has its existence by
sutfcrance Of the several States through the Gen
cral Government, would invest it with sovereign
power, power equal to, oven greater than that Of
the Federal Government.
Senators Bnowy and DAVIS not only sternly
repudiatc this ilcs, but insist upon discrinina-
ting code for tie special protection Of slavery in
til. Territories to countoruot my adverse legisla-
ton which their Legislatures may adopt.
Tho medium between these two opinions is oc-
cuped by Senator HUNTER al the head of another
faction and us in most things else, the middle
ground between the two extremes is probably the
wisest and Inost prudent. Whilst they oppose tho
Souattcr Sovereignty heresy of MIR. DOUGLAS,
they equally object TO special Congressional code
in favor of slavery, as useless abstraction, nm
practicable issue under present circumstances,
relying upon the Fugitive Slave Law, the Drcd
Scott decision and other acts and decisions-in
word to OH appeal to the Courts in case of ad-
worse Legislation to slavery. but in tho event
that the Courts, either from neglect or impotcncy,
fail to sustniu the Constitution, to npllify an un
constitutional law which, will operate injuriously
to our section of the Union, to place body which
has only crude ipimatured Sovereignty within
in its legitimate limits, it is the imperative una
roidabie duty Of the Executive or Congress to in
torfere and enforce tho Judicial decree.
Thus stands the Democratic Party North and
South, disorgnnizod, disnembcrcd, and without u
leader. 70 WHOM is this confusion and anarchy
at.rbutablo It behooYes the South to make tho
enquiry and profit by ,he answer: The history
of the past twelve months clearly conTicts the
IlIinoip Senator. He will have to ohoulaor the