Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-07-20
Said we, "Down with the Douglas p,

exclaim in ono number Do,pn 10Th tie Douglas;
and in the very next advocate him for the Presi-
dency." Of course our friend is jesting rs to the
manner and matter of his interrogatory. He is
too fair, not to apprchend that We do not occupy
the position he ascribea to US. Wedid soy "down
with the Douglas" as he correctly reads us ;-and
ne sny so still, if any thing better can be done
than to accept him. You may ask what is here
meant by any thing better?' We answer, tho
election of {. sound Southern man would be vastly
better. The election Of sound Northern mun
would also be better. The election of Mr. BucH-
AyAS would be better. The election of Mr.. PIEncE
would be better The election of many other tried
ton which gives pause is, can any such man be
elected? We will be at once met with the charge
Of sacrificing worth to availability, of bnrtering
principles for party success. The imputation is
denied in advance. Our position is more than
nbove-s.sted: Not only would the election of any
such man as We indicate be BETTER but the union Of
t1e South upon such On one elected or not elected
would be better.
But In the event that the success Of my auch
leader shall be out Of the question, and when it
shall appear that large portion Of tho Southern
delegates to the Charleston Convention prefer
DOUGLAS to defeat, then come up the considora-
tions we have suggested bearing upon the course
of propriety and policy to be pursued by South
Carolina in TINT emergency.
| Will it be said, that it is Mt least indiscreet to
present any view favorable to the promotion of
DOUGLAS, until it shall clearly appear TINT hc ia
done (if the excuse be worth any thing) simply to
meet another indiscretion in certain influential
quarters. Let US briefly explain.
A feeling Of strong condemnation had been just
ly visited upon Mr.. DOUGLAS by the press Of this
State, having reference to his whole course upon
the matter of the late Kansns imbroglio. With
this feeling fresh in mind he comes to be spoken
for the next Presidency, as the possible nominee
of the Charleston Convention; and it is natural
that not only press but our people also, should
reject his name in this connection, and perhaps
reject it wholly ut first yiew. But certain por-
tion of that press whether uny of the people or
not, We arc unprepared to say) 60 much further
and maintain that South Carolina should not
enter the Charleston Convention at all if thero is
n chance for the nomination of DOUGLAS under
any circumstances. 1t is not for US, to blame
these exponents of public opinion in this declara-
tion of sentiment. It was our own notion primo
intuitu. But reflection has lead US to think differ
entity and we now respectfully suggest that those
who have given expression to the moro extreme
view in regard to Mr. DOUGLAS are at least as in
discreet in doing this so fur in advance as we
in throwing out reasons that may require lis to
come ultimately to his support
1t is earnestly to be hoped, that South Carolina
will not become committed on this subject further
than at present. either through her press, her pub
lie men, her Legislature, her people in primary
meetings, until she shall have heard more fully
from her sister States of the South, more fully
from the Democracy Of the Union. Circumstances
may transpire TINT will mako it both undignifed
and impotic in US, to refuse to go into the Char
lesion Convention Oh the ground indicated. Let
us patiently await tho developments Of tho ecoming
autumn and winter. AT the end of that time we
con better judge what South Carolina should do
in respect to the Convention. As great n scape-
grace as SENATOR DOUGLAS has come to be regar-
ded, he may yet turn out better than We imagine.
He may yet entirely eschew the nomination, and
cooperate in electing Southern man, if he be not
too rudely thrown off in the South. Or if not that
it may come to be the only chance for the South
(Souh Carolina with the res) to elect the rerita.
BILE DOUGLAS himself to the Presidency of the
Uniun and, after all said and done, ho might moi
provo the worst choice the South could make. VIZ
hnpo our corresnondnnt nnu nndnrstsr'tr-uvr FUri'
tion, and We trust ho will agree with US.
As to his other query, "what more haze you Il
| say for Douglas ?"-wo answer, nothing. But be
assured, it is not because there is nothing to sny
There is much more to say (if it shall come to an
issue between DOUGLAS and q BLACK REPUBLICAN
why tho former should be supported by tho eutir,
South. There arc views to be advanced too which
disrube his political opinions of much of their seem
ing rcpugnancy. But it was not intended here tc
press their consideration upon the public. The
single object had in view while pcnning the pre-
sent und the preceding articles OH this subject, is
to offer respectful word of caution both to the
people, TO the press, and to the political leaders
South Carolina; and the motive to this, has beer
u sincere desire that our beloved State should moi
rush precipitatey into weak position. and one
that might prove in the end bampering to her free
and full action with the South for the good of the
South and for the common veal of tho Republic
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