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

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there has always been q 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 Consti
tuition, for the adoption of the separate and
independent States of the Conledcracy. This
was manifested in that Convention by their
proposition of a Senate for life, 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 a stronger Government, in the
adoption Of the alien and sedtion laws, and
manifested itself in l79Gby strong and decided
sympathy for the stable and hereditary insti
tutions Of Great Britain, as contra-Gistinguish.
ed to the principles of the French, which
seemed to look, at that period, to more Ell.
larged and popular liberty. The same feelings
were exhibited in their deep hostility to the
acquisition of Louisiana, aud 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
dCQ ulreU rlOIiad III 1ClVJ anu IeAits III ISff'
And again it appeared in opposition to 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 great deluson 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
tilty manifested by portion Of the Northern
people than MAS ever exhibited in the South.
Until 1880, it was the South that strengthened
the Union and bore it successfully through all
the struggles and conflicts against domestic
and foreign foes, with dsinterested 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 q large
and dogmatical party, to defeat every measure
that mig ght strengthen the Southern States or
secure their permanent peace and safety Ill
the Confederacy 1t further shows that they
were thoroughly understood by the British
Government, and that this lanatical 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
mower by the dissolution of the Union, was
their political object, and they used portion
of base and malignant party in the United
States as their tools and Instruments. Histo-
ry 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 revolved. And
vet Mr.. Benton has toa great extent, snp-
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 a partizan opponent, who
went off with faction of the Democratic party
under the lead of Mr..Fan Burcn.
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.
sidered 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 10 them.
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 againstit, endeavorinns
to sink the ISSUE as far as the Whigparty might
be concerned. This letter was think, written
from Raleigh, North Carolina, while Mr.. Clay
was there and Mr. Van Buren wrote q simi.