Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-12-28


ia to maintain the State Governments in all OF
that efficiency which they we're intended to. Of
ford. Their strength can only be diminished,
their powers will only bo relaxed, when their
faith in the cGusesshsll be weakened; and that
faith Mill be weakened when they neglect the
means by which the ends can be accomplished,
and which they were, provided TO secure. {.
The necessities pro3uced by the war, in the
large number of men who have been called inte
the field, has rausedthe authority of Government
TO be intcrposcd for the accumulation ofsupplies.
The exercise of this high power, which in its
grant is guarded by limitations upon its enforce
mont, has been responded to by tho cheerful &C
suiescence Of the people. While, howoror,, tho
necessity whch-cslls for the exercise of the pow
CT is conceded, and the obedience Of the people
commended, it ia tae dictate Of wisdom to pre-
vide that it shell not be abused. Without under
taking now to say how far that legislation is
proper which has bsen adopted In GENE OF the
States, and has by special provision made one
who acss illegally in Q case Of inprsasni ent pun
isheble fer:a mildemearer, I feel great interest
in the adoption Of some provision by which soHs
ether sanction shall be invoked fer the skesa-
ten of tho law than military authority. To take
private property is ansne the powers vEeh the
people Of this State in convention have Siyen to
the Government Of the Confederate Statas; bus
when SO takeR, It must 80 for tho ptbfc uEe and
With jRst eeHponsatsa. The Congress Of the
Confederate G0rern.eent has s1eTeised this pow
or BY the O1ectpsnt Of Ian, aadfsr the eafores-
mont Of all tWs, tribunals are estab blished, oen-
potent in all to aaRiaister then as they arc
written. The GfsRt nssssSfass which nore eeH-
tempfate6 R the graft Of the power to Congress,
have no application, WHOM 1t is suggested that
the law s 10 be enforced without those safeguards
Which are tho right o. the eitiasn, when disturb
g, 1l 8 0ht
to claim, the right to SeEe, because claim 10
made, and to enforce the seizure by the force Of
arms, is dangerous violation of that great prin
ciple cf civil liberty which is asserted in Magma
Charts and enforced in our Constitution by the
creation of the militia, rs the power by which the
laws arc to be enforced, whom the authority Of
our courts shall be Insufficient for the execution
of their decreea. It is power which, in its ox-
ercise, involves tho most important consequences.
Without limitationE er controsit fleets the whole
productive ialerest OF the State; and unles: e1-
crciscd with proper discretion, even, perhaps,
moro scri. usly Affects that large portion of the
population who consume, but cannot produce. In
all Of its relations, and in all Of its censosusnces
it is among the most important of thsfe matters
wheh now engage the attention of tho Cenfede-
rate or State Government
II the supplies for our armies and eur popula-
tions be o. tbs engrcssinS character, it may wolf
30, because Of the probable speedy TERMINATION
Of your session, that should speak to you Of
that portion Of the population who,s although of
tender years, have FASTENED to the defence of
their State. 1t ia not easy to determine how long
their seryisas will be psq ereJ it is not easy TO
say how often the sxigcacios may arisc which
will sunnon them to the fsls: But it seems to
me to bo quito easy to determine whGt sheuld be
done in their behalf il it can bo practically as-
conplished. If their military service could be
10 directed that they should not - BY 1t deprived
Of the benefits Of education; if the training, at
The ssns time, Of their bodies and minds could
he accomplished; if thcir organisation could be
- adtusted thst they weald 10 soldisrE, while
hey wsso sshelkss-Re might AZ d in the hardy
sad vigorous inselleeis devs'sFsd andor saeh
SYSTEM, sons cenpsnsetfon for the priY.tions
ley sxporiense and the GuRssing taey endure.
Their ease is for IL o sacred dnty. Wo have
,nllsd UPON thaIl for their lives ss fhe sacrifice
heir country pay be required to offor and if tho
lacrilce shall mot bs exacted. con We render high
,r service to our State than in the education of
.hose whose instinct, srs go full OF devotion to
hat State? 1t may BIS that The ci&culties in the
,dostion Of assystoA will prevent you now from
ioia. all that you would desire, er all that may
% required. If go, until moro opportunity Gun
Be had by you, shall consider it special duty
"a trust tho execution OF whish will be dear to
NY heart--to Go all that can for their care and
Improvement, until your moro nstured expert
once will confer upon thon the protection and
assistance they deserve. For knon that there
is not emo OF you nor one within The reach of my
voice, nor ore within the limits Of the State
who.e heart does not pulsate quickly when he
thinks OF them, or whose eye does not moisten
W hen he beholdz that band of youths, worthy of
Ia. best days of Grccian stcrt, who now stand
upon The limits Of their State, and protect its
,oil from .he pollution Of invasion.
While thus would stimulate into activity all
the resources We nay have, aud prepare for the
Of those rights TO which We are en-
titled, have the utmost confidence that in this
We shall surcly pave tho way 10 that peace, which
no all so sauch desire, and which onr enemies
tGvo hitherto denied us. I have no hope in their
fsrbearance, for have no belief in their human
ity.. hayo no reliance in their moderation, for
l have no faith n their justice. When their hope
Of success shall fade away, snd that it will do
when thoy realize the unalterablc purposc by
which VIC are animated, then will they think 81
peace. And d':hst peace only will be lasting which
rest: apon the cGnviction Of cur strength IS that
mace onlx can lie honorable whles involve, tho
admission Of our ;;11aacpendeace. Let not the ap-
prelersion that we are exhausted, find place in
our minds, or its poissp sickcn oyT hearts. What
people have ovsr struggled for moro than with us
!, the boon we seek to secure? What people
even amid the proud list Of European dynastios
could have sustained for four years aucA war
az that waged upon Us: and at the close Of that
period, have still maintained in The field army
In numbers, in confidence, and in.discipline equal
!, that which rallies under our banneTs2 Other
nation,, for lesser purpoE.s, h:vo strven longer,
endured more thar ws have, and won for them
selves iHsertshable hoser. Let US not hesitate
in oar parposs or halter in iss execution. And
for myself, whatever poor abilities may be raine,
these now in your presonos, tolemnly devote to
the high trus. you have committed to ms; and
in the exesuton Of that trust will epdosvor to
maintain the honor and Independence Of thn
State and TO accomplish tho successful termina-
tion of that war, which BY Us is maintained in
defence of this great cause, which, IN your pres
enes, and In the presence Of my God, belevo to.
be the Cause of justice, Of truth, and Of right.
On ascending the desk, his E1collency Gov.
BosHAu, in feeling manner, delivered tho fol-