Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-17


century in its power and ascendancy over
great and mighty events that are working out
tue elevation and benefit OF mankind. No
man whose heart beats with pride for his
country, can help ltcli"g q glow Of cxuItaton
as he contempates the gigantic strides our
Conllderacy Of free Republics has made
towards power anu empire amongst the ma
tions Of the earth, since the great outlines OF
policy were inauguratcd i'll the canvass and
election which brought Mr. Polk into powrr.
| would have but poor consideration Tor myself,
i'll could have confined the object OF my
visit in 1914, to the small and narrow views,
Which Mr. Beutons bool; makes the oHiy
g condition. in South Carolina voting Tor him.
True, an organ for the administration was
spoken of, but it was only incidental TO the
oilhcr great questions. We knew and felt
that Messrs. Blair L. Riyes could not be con-
tiuued, because they had adhered to Mr.. Van
Buren, in his opposition to the annexation of
Texas, and upon this very point he had been
overthrown ly the party at the Baltimore Coa-
vcution, and of course it would have been
suicidal and weak in the first degree TO have
chosen an organ that was opposed to the AID.
minisration on the most vital part of its
policy, part upon which all other points
turned. No man was suggested as an organ
at all. 1t was only understood that some one
sound on the annexation question and the
tariff was TO be selected. made no secret Of
this. In fact, afterwards wrote or informed
Mr.. Rives of it, and that be and Mr.. Blair
were obliged to be oyerthrown. 1t was essen.
tial to the great policy of the administration,
more particularly so, when their identity and
intimate connection with Colonel Benton was
known, and when it was felt by all that he
was the Ajax lebanon OF opposition Texas.
AS to the $4,000, Col. Benton speaks Of.
image G53.) being used hy Mr.. Cameron, of
PENNSYLVANIA, in the purchase Of Mr.. Ritchic,
and afterwards by Hon. r. j. Walker, when
Secretary Of the Treasury, lknownotlins what,
tcver of it, never having heard of it until Tread
it in his book. True, it was admitted to be
important that Mr. Tyler should be withdrawn
as candidate, for his running would divert
many votes particularly in Virginia and else
where, and might produce great confusion
and endanger the results very much. 1t was
calculated that we could carry the election,
even if VIC lost Tennessee, but Mr.. Tyler run.
ming might endanger all.
The only other point of the slightest con.
sequence mentioned was i'll relation to the
ultra movements then recently made in South
CaIolina, commonly called "the Bnillon
resolutions" Some excited persons, under
patriotic impulses, who had felt deeply grieved
by the wrongs of the Federal Government, had
indicated that this Stilte, at least, ought to
organize for separate action and resistance,
without waiting events or concert of action.
They looked only at one question, the tariff,
and did not consider the complication of our
position at that peculiar juncture. and the
other great questions made. 1t was impor-
tant in other States that the friends of Mr..
Polk should be reviewed from connection or
identity with this local and ultra move at
that period. With that view, l wrote Col.
Elmore from Mr.. Polk's, that it was of great
Importance he should call a meeting and in.
trolucc resolutions in Charleston, rcpndiating
what were called the Blufton Resolutions" "
and 10 oindicate that they were not the concerted
move Of the State.
I think he did so. Now these are candidly
and frankly all the subjects touched on or
spoken Of in that interview which Col. Benton
so mysteriously introduces as M important
point in the political history CT that period.
Ofcourse, l am fully aware that it was no
part of his object to Do any injustice to one
so little kuowh as myself, but only to use me
for the purpose of makingit appear in history,
by inference, that Mr.. Calhoun was capable
Of o very small intrigue against two editors,
who had occupied q very conspicuous position
in the partizan conflicts OF that day, and that
he was willing to make South Carolina play
the contemplate part of casting h'r vote for
the important Office of President merely to
CRAFTY his personal vengeance. Atpage G5l,
he.says The "South Carolina vote was disposed