Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-31

powor of Southern emigration unassisted by gov
ernmsnt; because it was palpably unit for slave
labor. Tho South saw nothing thero worth fight
ing for; and the South could not therefore be
aroused to action to establish slavery whore she
knew it must in short time be abolished. In
point of fact, mnny argued that this inevitable
result was good reason for dropping the Kansas
controversy; for it was bettcr, said they, not to
subject tho institution to tho notoriety Of being
thus publicly branded with the condemnation of
law. But let Territory bO opened whore cotton
can bo made at the rato of 1000 or 1900 pounds to
the mere, and then try tho forco of Southern omi-
grafton. Then Hercules ,uiN put bis shoulder to
tho wheel in dead earnest. Neither will he be
found aueing for help at the hands of Congress.
With his own right arm will he get himself thc.vic
tory. Even suppose that the Emigration Societies
should put on NIL steam and orercrowd him.
Nothing daunted, he will stand bis ground; for
he hus now something to stand for. In such
Territory, twenty determined sOttlers.mith their
slaves could mako an issue that would unite and
arouse the South for action. But in such Terri
Hercules put his shoulder to the wheel as he
only can do eFsctua!ly, and free-sOilism dare not
risk such opposition as he could offer. On the
contrary Fanaticism itself would forget it's mission
in bcholding hi, SUCCESS, and hasten to embrace
his means of prosperity. Congress would not then
need to bo invoked. That assemb a:-r mir. scorn
petition from Hercules tho. Suprlicant; but let
that Same Hercules enter the field Of action with
his club and show himself determined to vindicato
his cause by taking the only cffoctual road to
eventual success, and Congressional Intervention
would perhaps bo found to precede an issue, if
any such should by possibility arise. But wheth-
or Congress intervene or not, slave labor will
prevail vhe-e slave labor is truly profitable, if
Hercules put his shoulder to the wheel With ener-
gy and spirit. If he will not do this, no will not
merit success neither would he succeed under the
protection of every branch of tho government, with
moderate premium auperadded. Still we think,
If Hercules must needs have this protection, Her
cules is entitled to 1t under our Constitution.
Now for the matter in which We arc to be repu-
dated at hone and spurned from abroad, as tho
Mercury prognosticstes In Re DOUGLAS. Our
contemporary has so assiduously e1erted himself
to turn US up ride down that VIC scarcely know
whero VIC are It was unkind in him to bewilder
US after thia fashion. To judge by the Aercury'
three last articles, one would say that tho Aduer-
ti.er is DOUGLAS organ. It might well be con-
cluded that wo are out and out for DOUGLAS for
the Presidency, against the field. But what is
the plain TRUTH The Adpertiser thought 1t fore
saw from sundry indications TINT no other man
could defeat tho Black Republican Party in tho
nort Presidential race but DoUGLAs-aud also
that tho Southern States, rather than suser the
Republicans to 60 into power, might eventually
consent to accept him as the candidate Of tse
Democratic Party. This reflection gave US pause
in our hasty denunciatons Of Senator DOUGLAS,
and we began to consider the matter more. care
fully. Our conclusion Was, that it was unHsc to
take such ground against him as would utterly
prevent US from afterwards uniting with our
brethren Of tho South if they should deem it best
under all the circumstances to elect him. Aeeor-
dinghy we threw out some suggestions bearing
upon the point We were attacked by the Qercu-
RI in harsh terms. The -adrsriiSer was at once
pronounced " faithless to South Carolina and to
the Constitution" IN scif-defsnce we addressed
ourself to the subject again and again, always
maintaining nothing moro than that DOUGLAS
With tho Democratic Party was preferable to
SEWARD or any one else with the Republicans.
In tho course Of this self-defenee ne were COM
PEELED to present various reasons why DOUGLAS
was preferable to Black Republican. Among
others, it occurred to US that hs so-called hercsy
to the Constitution, his "squatter sovereignty
was not so Aagitious as some would represent it,
and that eyen is SOY dnn sor from that cause WAS
not so proximstc 4, to induce the South to throw
him aside mt all hazards aud meet n Black Rcrub-
lican triumph. In making this argument We were
careful to say:
"Our contemporary well understands that the
Adrertiser's humble suggestions have thus far
proceeded upon the possibility OF Mr. DOUGLAS bo-
coming tho eventual choice ofa largo portion Of the
Southern Democracy. In that case only hayc VIC
considered tho question whether we could reconcile
his support with II due regard for Southern rights
and Southern interests. II tho .Nercmry's reading
of his "intentions and policy" be correct, then
indeod would it be difficult to do 80. But VIC sub
nit, with great respect for our contenporarys
opinion, that it has distorted and exaggerated
(undcsignedly of courso) both the intentions
aud the "policy" of Mr. Douglas. 1t may be
that We arc in error and have not scen this states
mans aims and principles in their true light. If
80, be it understood that We arc but cuunselling
with friends aud follow-citiEens to discover the
line of duty. II We think We see it in reasonable
concessions to tho wishes and preferences OF s
party which has stood our friend in many difficult
emergencies, surely our suggestions are not to be
stigmatized Us "faithcss to the Constitution and
to South Carolina"
But regardless Of this conscientious reservation,
the Mercury chooses still to set US up as the
champion of DOUGLAS and Squatter Sovereignty,
and to level his Psixhan gums at the devoted Ad-
rer.i.er as if to effect its complete annihilation
bofuro the State But thank heaven the Aduer-
tiser ,ubssts upon basis which tho Mercury can
not tcuch 1t relics for its support upon u brave,
Il generous, ,uasnnuimous public,-n public that
will be tho last in South Carolina to repudiute its
Editor for independence of thought and conduct
Neither are ne afraid to so side by sidc with the
!Nercnry before the State, and to maintain the
position (as we still do) that it will be better to
elect SENATOR DoueLAs to the Presidency than to
pormit the Republican,, to 50 into power. More
next week.
The Mercury aud Principles.
Our Charleston contemporary copies lesson ON
nrincples from the speech Of Hon. ALEXANDER II.