Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-09-14

prudence now, that We may be able to profit
by the most desperate holiness then.
Further, the policy of moderation which !
have advised will have this additional good
effect: it will compel the republican party to
affirmative issues. If the South refrain from
presenting new issues, the republican party
will be obliged to do so. Because, being an
aggressive party, movement party, in ODE
dience to the necessity of their existence
they must attack; to stand still is to perish.
If they attack while we remain entrenched
in our past conservatism, they must attack
the constitution. Their issues, as matter
Of necessity, must be aggressive. In instance,
they must, Kansas being disposed Of, demand
the abolition of slavery in the District OF
Columbia, the prohibition Of the Interstate
slave trade, the repeal of the fugitive slave
law, and the remodelling Of the Supreme
Court. In the absence of new issues upon
our part, they would be compelled to devel-
ope some one or all Of these issues. Some
persons, superficial observers thought that
Mr. Seward had committed bunder in lay
ing down his celebrated programme at ,Ro-
chester last fall, when he pronounced that
there was an irrepressible conflict between
the free and the slave States;" that they
must sail become free or all slave" This
was no blunder on his part; it was the result
of profound reflection, and logical necessity
flowing from the position Of the republican
party. The vital issue upon which that par-
ty had been formed, was to secure freedom
to Kansas; that question was practically dis
posed Of; the party must die from the sue
cess Of its own issue, unless new issues or a
new mission was assigned TO it.. Mr.. Seward
thought it best to give q new mission to the
party in the general terms Of "the irrepre,- s.
sible conflict" theory, rather than to develops
specific issues. This mission was so comprs-
heIsive it might satisfy the most extreme
abolilionists; it was 80 indefinite that the
most timid republican might not be driven
of. 1t must be evident to every mind tha:,
if the republican party are 10 succeed, the
more aggressive their issues the better for us.
Indeed, if they would put themselves square.
ly on the platform of immediate emaucpa.
ton, so much the better their success then,
in obtaining power, would make a Southern
confederacy an instant necessity. 1t follows
then that moderation is our present policy,
as compelling our opponents to deyelope ag"
gressive issues. think I have sufficiently
explained what I mean by moderation. 1t il
nothing but the preparation tor the most ef.
fectual resistance. 1t is not our policy, but
our necessity. 1t cannot be violated without
entailing disastrous consequences upon the
South. The first result OF the violation OF
this policy of moderation will be the election
of republican President and the paral ysis
of the South from internal disscnsions. What
the ultimate consequences may be shall not
undertake to say, for no one can foresee them
II know" to use the language Of celebra
ted English statesman, when he was protest
ing against Lord North's policy towards the
American colonies, "many have been taught
to think that moderation in case like TIL:
is sort of treason, and that arguments fol
it are sufficiently answered by railing at sub
lniS,iou.:' Well, be it SO. The voice of rea
s,n is too often unheard amid the tumu;t 81
truth a. understand i. Some psrsons sG ob
ject to the policy I have recommended, be
cause, they say, if it is adopted by the Soutl
| there will be no chance for the election O
an abolitionist to the Presidency, and, there
fore, the Southern Confederacy to arise upor
such election of will be postponed. To tbi.
can only reply that, If it be so, then it is s
misfortune which must be borne with due
philosophy.
There are persons at the South who, justl,
ncenscd by the hostile course Of Il large por
ton Of the Northern people, sustain every
asyravating issue that arises in order to alien
ate the two sections, and by forcing power
into the hapds of Il sectional party North
hope to foree the South into revolution; but
in nv opinion, they take a course calculated
to defeat their own object For, unfortun
ately for their purpose, while their issue:
ALLEVIATE the North, they also divide the
South. Thus, while they give power to oul
btterest enemies, they paralyze the power o
the South to resist, by producing fatal dis.
sensons. Popular revolutions are not created
but born. They are not invented, but nece,
stated. The people generally, from obviou
causes, desire peace and avoid convulsions
1t requires usually the violence Of oppression
to startle them from their dreams Of peace
The theory Of successfully initiating popu
lar revolution, i.o benefit by the errors o
the oppre>so to present in contrast tt
their a:roga aggression; tho most mastery
discretion SO that the antagunism of the twt
/ causes may be the most startling, and thu:
incline tue popular mind to the pstr;ct cause
Thus it has always required the most consulE'
mate craftsmanship to conduct a popular revo
luton. The problem has been to advanct
without producing reaction. Excess of zeal
pro iucing errors and consequent reactions
have been the hidieu shoals upon which they
have generally lounderet. But for this mel
sncholy cause France and England woalc
have been republics to-day. The Jscobiu,
made tue image Of liberty repulSiye, wheI
they "besmeared it with the blond Of human
sacrifice" The Puritans in England, By
their austere fan.ticisln, recalled a licencioui
king. In nothing was the wisdom Of our an
ccstors 80 manifest ~ in their wonderful dis
cretion. They entrenched themselves in nr
iInprrguable conservatism. Protesting theil
loyalty, they only asked again aud again thu,
they might still be allowed the same privi
Ieges they had been accustomed to have from
time imuiemorial. They handled Lord Nortl
with consummatc tact. They played will
him, a vulgar and material politician, as mas-
!! tiers would with a green scholar. The" turned
his stupid expressions into great instru1nen
tslities in consolidating public opinion. Wher
blinded with insane rage, he despatched hi'
fleets and armies, they smiled disdainluliy
for they felt they had him they used these
ministers Of his rage eftectually, and in their
great hands they became the moral thunder
bolts with which they rendered their coun.
try invincible. Wonderful men in the sub
lime moderation of their wisdom, they did
not declare independence until battles had
been fought, and Washington led their ar.
mics.
do uot know where we can better 90 to
learn lessons Of political wisdom, than to our
ancestors, who conducted great revolution
to successful issue.
AS regards the Territorial question, I think
n l. uf fhs time u spenulatiyp nuestion ha-