Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-04-03
That HChincsc WaIl.3

The blind folly of the North, in pursuing line
of policy inimical TO Southern intcrests and pro-
tcctive of their own, has begotten Il wish with
many Of our pcurle, that Chinese WALL" to
use the fayOrite expression, were placed between
ami them forever. The feeling that has laihcrcd
such wish, WAS prompted, naturally enough, by
the nvcteratc anu ovorbuaring purpose Of North
ern mujurtirs, to the Uuiqs- for the special ag
grandisemcnt of their immediate section.
But now That this Union IL forever broken, it
may become proper matter for consideration,
whether this sentiment of nver:inn should not be
some what modified. Tint is to say, is ii necessa-
ary or desirable, now that the political wall Of
partition has been erected, to extend il to social
and commercial intercourse
In deciding the point Of social interchange,
much will depend upon the future complexion of
Northern sociology. II Back Republicanism shall
continue to taint its component parts with the
foul breath Of low and ignorant fanaticism, then
let the wall social be as pupatlc as the wall po-
litical But should decent democracy rise to
the controll Of Northern uAnirs, and clean out the
Augean filth which is so justly offensive to the
South, why may not social intercourse return to
something of IFS former footing between the two
peoples?
With commercial interchanges sentiment has
not 30 much to do,-ulthuugh to 4 certain extent
it will be felt. 1t is interest that rules ncarly su-
prcme over matters of trude aud commerce, and
is well known to look, in its decisions, less to the
preference of feeling thun to The main chance of
substantial benefit. This is often true Of ndivid-
uuls, and generally 80 of communities and gov
ernments.
Now, the question is Shall the Chinese Wall
commercial be US rigidly insisted upon, between US
and our Amcricun cousins, as the political and
social?
We think not aud for several reasons.
Ono is, because Of the impructacability of the
thing Another il, because it would be injuring
ourselves to no purpose. Will it DO answered. that
this temporary injury will result in the future ad-
van,agcs (lst) Of large manufacturing interests
and (2ndly) OF imperial cities, amonsstus! This
points directly to the third and perhaps the
strongest reason against the policy and itis, that
the cotton States do not need such advantages NJ
long us they can derive thom from without. Not
only so, but their tendency would DO 10 change
modify and perhaps destroy the peculiar character
of our southern domestic, socinl and civil systems.
These have done well, precisely as they are, under
heavy oppression And, precisely as they are it
is cmnently desirable TO see them tested under
tho banner of free tralc,--frec trade with Europe
and free trule with America.
The Northern manufacturing and grain n-growing
State. arc calculated, by position, facilities and
| necessities, to become our most useful allies We
produce what they need and they produce what
we need. The trouble Of interchange is comparu-
lively nothing, and the time Of clrcting it may be
reckonod by hours instead Of weeks. Besides this,
the inventive genius and mechanical skill Of those
States, in nenrly all departments Of Industry, are
confessedly in the lead Of modern material pro-
gress Are we wrong then in surposing that these
States may become mort convenient neighbors to
tho Slave-holdng COnfederacy?-and that they
may stand, in friendly alliance US the best posi-
BILE aids to the true advancement of our peculiar
| civilization?
If SO, il there not wisdom in foregoing the
| Chinese Val in commercial matters, however
much it may be desirable politically and sucially
But, as we have already limited, We do not SEQ the
propriety Of social cstraugemcnt, nor even Of po-
itical hostility when the North shall have set her
house in order like good Christian matrcn, hay-
ing fret crushed out the scorpions and adders
that iufest her premises.
There IRE those who have urged very strenuous
ly the commercial independence Of the South.
Tbis, VIC take it, was mainly with q view to our
| political Independence. Now tnat this Inst end
is attained, the battle is fought and won. In po.
llical independence, with cotton rs u medium Of
exchange, we have resort to the markets Of tic
world, and can command commercial advantages
equivalent to actual commercial independence.
These very advantages will bear directly to the end
we have Indicated: the substituting Of Northern
skill and energy just where we need it and to just
such an extent as we may find it beneficial and
profitable to do so.
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