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

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there has always been a party amongst them
in reality, deeply hostile to the Federal Union
They wanted a strong government, approach
ing the forms Of the British government, in the
Convention that proposed the present Const
tuition, for the adoption of the separate and
independent States Of the Conledcracy. This
was manifested in that Convention by their
proposition of y Senate for lie, and that the
President Of the United States should appoint
the Governors of the different States, &c.
It was the same feelings that prompted
them to desire stronger Government in the
adoption of the alien and sediiion laws, and
manifested itself in l79Gby strong and decided
sympathy for the stable and hereditary insti
tutions of Great Britain, as contra-GStinguish.
ed to the principles Of the French, which
seemed to look, at that period, 10 more Gu
larged and popular liberty. The same feelings
were exhibited in their deep hostility to the
acquisition of Louisiana, and then broke forth
under the embargo Of Jefferson, and became
openly reasonable during the war of 1872
with Great Britain, as the records of the Hart
ford Convention prove beyond the possibility
of denial. 1t again showed itself when we
acquired Florida in 1919, and Texas in lS.l4.
And again it appeared in opposition 10 that
brilliant war with Mexico, through whose
triumph the star of empire flashed its light
over the distant Pacific.
They have ever been opposed 10 the progress
and power Of the Confedcracy. Many are un-
der a great delusion in supposing that it is
from the South only that complaints have
been made against the Union, and violent
threats Illuminated.
There has been far more violence and hos
tility manifested by portion of the Northern
Until 1890, it was the South that strengthened
the Union and bore it successfully through all
the struggles and conflicts against domestic
and foreign foes, with a disinterested devotion
and loyalty unparalleled i'll the history of any
people having such diversified local govern
ments and Interests. Besides this general
hostility to the strengthening and progress OF
the Federal Union by party in the Northern
States, the pages of history show, for years,
ever since the "Missouri Compromise" a
systematic concert of action, by large
and dogmatical party, to defeat every measure
that might strengthen the Southern States or
secure their permanent peace and safety i'll
the Confederacy. 1t further shows that they
were thoroughly understood by the British
Government, and that this fanatical Northern
party acted under the instigations of British
policy, and that the public men of Great
Britain made their calculations upon it, in all
their movements. The weakening OF our
power by the dissolution of the Union, was
their political object and they used a portion
of base and malignant party in the United
States as their tools and instruments. Histo-
~ after times, will SO record it. These cir
cumstances, which have briefly brought
together, are necessary 10 illustrate the deep
Importance of Texas annexation, involving as
it did policy of profound interest. which was,
at the tinre, the centre principle upon which
the whole Democratic party revolvcd. And
yet Mr.. Benton has to q great extent, sup.
pressed it, and made grave movements rest
upon far inferior considerations. Where he
has treated of this question it is only to pre-
sent the views Of partizan opponent, who
went off with faction of the Democratic party
under the lead of Mr..Na Buren.
Previous to the meeting of the Baltimore
Convention, in 1874 to nominate President
and Vice President Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Van
Buren, both wrote letters against the annexa-
ton Of Texas. They were, at the time, con-
sidcred the respective leaders of the Wing and
Democratic parties. The canvass, as to who
should be selected candidates of the two par.
ties, had settled down pretty much to tliem.
1t was great point to be gained, to conciliate
that ultra portion of the Northern people who
were against the annexation of Texas, and
Mr.. Clay wrote hislettcr asainstit, endeavoring
to sink the issue, as far as the Whigparty might
be concerned. This letter was l think, written
from Raleigh, North Carolina, while Mr.. Clay
was there and Mr.. Van Buren, wrote simi.