Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-06-05
Richmond.

The Charleston Mercury takes occasion to ami
malvert upon The course of Congress in removing
the seat of the Confederate Government from
Montgomery to Richmond. We dissent from H..
opinion il. TIT, cui". The movement is ma'lr at
the right time and to the right place, even when
Judged by such lights rs arc now bciurc us and
we have NJ doubt it will he much more strongly
sustained when the country shall fully know tho
reasons that have influenced Congress.
Jmprimo, Montgomery is scarcely u suitable
place fur the seat of Government at any season Of
the year, certainly not in the summer and fall
seasons. 1t would he at great risk that Tennessee
ans, virginans, or North Caroliniais, not Ia mcn-
ton others could attend the Congress in that city
during July, August. Or September. There is 4
necessity that this body shall sit, Mt least this year.
all fully represented. We are aware that the taunt
may be suggested, is Congress TO run away from
risks when our ri<king every thing for
defence! The answer is another question: Do
our men risk any thing tu life that can bc avoided
by reasonable trouble or expense: Every nr
per in Con :rcss to rcniOve the trmnnrary seat Of
Government to some other point. And. with due
respcct for all who think differently, We believe
that Richmond, Na.,-lhc point srlcctc,l,-s the
true point.
The Mercury thinks i. may he military move
mcnt. Eut Is it not a!sn 4 civil necessity? The
conflict of arms mpcn'ls un the Nirsimin hur'lcr.
1t promises to he quick and tremendous. Is there
not necessity in the hurried state nI our prcpara-
tions. that the President AMI at least the War De-
par;,nent of the Government he in daily. certain,
and uninterrupted communication with the Gem
erals in command. Aud where can they be 50, as
completely az at Richmond: 1t will be conceded,
that where the President aud the War Department
are, there a..<o ought the Congress 10 be- il any
where.
The .H.,e"yy thinks it will at once '' bring on
blows" Two nntinns ut war, with their Capt.
tuls suddenly drawn into half days journey of
caeh other. with arInc, al hand eager fur conflict
might ordinarily IL the Ji"rc"rg says, 'bring "n
blows" But in the peculiar and perons posi-
tion Of tho Black Republican rnllsc ut this mo-
mcnt, wo very much doubt if it will be 50 in the
present case. And even if ii shoull. wc hclierc
it will result in Il demonstration of Southern
strength, which will be all the more brilliant that
it is made in the very prcscncc as it were, Of our
President and Government.
But waiving other considerations, We claim that
Congress is right in this movement, call 1t civil,
militnry, or what you like, because it announces
tho position that the conquest of Virginin is i'm
possiblo while the united strength of the South
can prevent il, Virginia. old State offers
herself rs n barrier to Southern suljusation Her
whole strength and worth and wealth are thrown
into the pathway Of the invader; and over these
he must pass to reach his hclish purpose. l.et
thc universal Southern watchwurd then bc-what
the Congress has made il >" Virginia, the accept
cd hulwark of tho South" We should no more
admit the thought Of her being crushcdby United
States armies, than that other impossible one of
Southern subiccion. And This is, we think, the
language which Congress has spoken hy its action.
Neither does the policy my ncgc of the due
protection Of country ut other assailablopoints