Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-05-08


obvious, that under the law tf nations, thi:
principle is an axiom as applied to the rela
tions ofindependent sovereign Statcs such a:
those which had united themselves under the
constitutional compact. The Democratic par
ty of the United States, repeated in its sue
ceSsrul canvass in 1856, the declaration made
in numerous previous political contests, tha
it would faithfully abide by and uphold The
principles laid down in the kentucky ant
Virginia resolutions of l79S, and in the re-
port of Mr.. Madison to the Virginia LegiSla
ture in lI99; and that it adopts those prnc
pies as constituting one OF the main iounda
tons of its political creed"
The principles thus emphatically announced
embrace that to which have already advcr
ted, the right Of each State to Judge OF, anl
redress the wrongs Of which it complains
These principles were maintained by over
whelming majoritics Of the people Of all Tho
States of the Union at different elections, es
pccially in the elections Of Mr.. Jefferson ii
1909, Mr. Madison in 1909, and Mr.. Pierce
in 1852.
In the exercise of a right so ancient. 81
we'll established, and so necessary for sell:
preservation, the people Of the Confederate
States in their Conventions, determined thai
the wrongs which they had suffered. and the
evils with which they were menaced, required
that taey should revoke the delegation d
power to the Federal Government which they
had ratified in their several Conventions
They consequently passed or,nances ra6an
ing all their rights as sovereign and in'lci' T.
dent States, and dissolved tneir c"ancctoH
with the other States Of The Union.
Having done this, they proceeded to form
q new compact amongst themselves, By new
articles Of confederation, which have been Il!
so ratified by the conventions OF the savera
States with an approach 10 unai,ilniiy ti:r cS,
cecding that Of the conventions which adopt
ed the Constitution OF l7:7. ]hey nave or
ganiscd their lev government in all Its dc
partmcnts the functions Of the Executive
Legislative, and Judicial Magistrates arc per
formed in accordance With the will o! TIC
people as displayed, not n,rrely in a cheerful
acquicsccnce. but in the enthusiastic support
of the government thus established hy trcm'
selves: and but for the interference 81 taC
government Of the United States in this lcgit'
innate exercise Of the rigl;'oi u people tc
Selfgovcrnmcnt, peace, happiness and pros
p@rily would now smile Oh cir land.
That pvace is ardently desired hy tliis GOV
crnmcnt and pcopir. has been manifested i'll
every possible form. Scarce had you assem-
blel in February last, when, prior even IL
the inauguration OF tie Chief Magistrate YOU
had elected, YOU passed Il resolution expires
siyc Of your desire for the appointment o
commissioners 10 be sent 10 the government
Of the United States . lor the purpose Of re-
guia,ing trrniiy relations between that Gov
ernment and the Confederate States of Amer
ica, and for the settlement of all questions o
disagreement between the two governments
upon principles of right, justice, equity and
good faith"
1t was my pleasure rs well as my duty, tG
cooperate with you III this work OF pcacc
/ Indeed, in my address to you or r1king the
oath Of Office, and before receiving fran You
the communication OF this resolution, has
said, rs necessity, not choice, we i!ayl
rcsortcd to the remedy Of separation, and
henccsnrth our energies must be directed IL
tie .andGct oil oar own affairs and the pcrpc-
tuty oi The CorteIcracy which We have formed
] Ia Just perception of mutual interest sliall
pcr:!t us peaceaLly TO rurs,ic our separate
| lt'll'lci CAREER. IlpSl !CSs NSHiIS
have been fulfilled"
1t was in furthcrancc Of these accordant
views ci ;he Congress and the EXecrtvr.
that [ made choice vl' three discreet. able = =!
distinguished citizens, WHO repaired 10 WASH.
ingtpn Aided by their cordial cooperai;"n,
aid that Of tic Sccrc;ar; o! S;ate. rvriy cl:
fort compatible with acli.ryspcct and the dig
nity CT tic Coni&teracy, was exhausted before
| allowed myself to yield to tie conviction
that the government of the United States rs
determined 10 attempt the conquest OF lnS
people, and that our cherished hopes Of Ecacc
were unattainable.
On the arrival Of our commissioners in
Washington, on the 9TH March, they pJst-
mcliary. doing more than giving informal 10.
ticc Of their arrival. This was done with u
view to afford time to the President who had
/ Just been inauguratcd, for tie discharge cl
! other pressing official duties i'll the organiza-
ton Of his administration, before engaging his
attention in the object Of their mission. 1t
was not until the 18th Of the month that they
officially addressed the Secretary Of State, in
| forming him Of The purpose their arrival,
and stating in the language Of their iiistruc-
! lions their wish "to make 10 Tie United
States orerturcs Tor the opening Of rcgotia,
/ tions, assuring the government CT the United
! States, that tho President, Congress and peo.
ple Of the Confederate States earnestly desire
a peaceful solution OF these great questions
that it is neither their interest nor their wish
to make any demand which is not founded on
the strictcst justice, nor do .ny act to injurc
their late conicderatcs.
10 this communication no formal reply was
received until The SEh April. Dariue the in,
terval. the Commissioners had consented To
waive ali questions uf form. With the firm
re-oivc to ar0i,l war if possible. they went 50
far. even, as to hold, dulia: that long period,
unofficial intercourse, through an intcrmcii.
ary, whose high position and character in
spred the hope of success, ard through whom
constant assurances were received from the
Government of the United States, Of peaceful
intentions Of tho determination to evacuate
Fort Sumter; and further, that no measure,
changing the existing Sin5as prcjudcialy III
the Confederate States, especially at Fort
Pickcns, was in contemplation. but that in
the event Ct any clan"n Of intention on tie
snhiect, notice would br given TO the Com.
nissioncr* The crooked paths of Diplomacy
can scarcely furnish all example so wanting
in courtesy, il caudor and dreclness: as was
the course of tho United States Govcrrmen!
towards our Commissioners in Washington
For proof Of this refer to the annexed doc
umcn,s marked -, taken in correction
with further facts Which now proceed to re-
| late.
E.uly in April the attention Of The whole
country, as we'll as that of or Commissioners
WAS attracted to extraordinary preparations
for an extensive military and naval eXpcdl'
;ion in New York and other northcr: ports
These preparations, commenced in secrecy
Tor an expedition whose destination was con
c,alc,., only became known when nearly com
plcted and en- the 9Th, 9Th and 7tl April
transports and vessels of war, with troops
munitions and military supplies, sailed from
northern ports bound southwards. Alarmed