Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-03-01
Abuse Neither the President nor the
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little over two months ago, SHERIAN, with
largo army, marched almost without polestatioh
through the heart of Georgia, laying waste for
ests, fields, dwellings and towns, from tho noun
tains to the soaboari. Within the past three
weeks, he has march in like manner through
South Carolina; this time however, from the
seaboard to the mountains. Under those eireum-
stances, people at homo will now exhaust tae
English language in abusing the President Gen.
BEAuREcARD, Gen. HARDEE, Gen. WHEELER
and perhaps even Gen. JOE JOHNSTON, for it is q
voll known fact that the latter, although behind
the scenes, has been lending his aid and advice
in the conduct of the campaign now in progress
in our State. Fireside generals, inflated Poilt-
clans, who know nothing upon earth about mill
tary matters, spcculators, extortioners, bomb
proof gentlemen, heroes who have never seen the
front even in tho rcmotest perspective, and silly
aud misguided women, will all strive with fran
tic assiduity to sec hich can be loudcst in
ohiurgation-which can throw the largest stone,
and hit bardest--which can soonest demolish and
| entirely uproot the aforesaid brave, honest and
l
foaming, and giving rein to their petty sptes and
personal prejuaices, they will be perfectly aware
that it is the fault neither of Mr.. DAVIS, nor
Gen. DEAUnEGARD nor Gen. HARDEE they will
know perfectly we'll that SHERMAN is marching
thus trumphantly through our land because '0e
,cant troops enough to Withstand him. The Presi-
dent and most of our ablast generals want our
armies recruited in the only way, and from the
only source, they can be recruited. Twenty fTe
or thirty thousand wol disciplined black soldiers,
added to the whites, would have saved us from
the devastation and disgrace which have lately
befallen us.
But, oh no! The edict Of certain would -be wise
men has gone forth that it will never do to make
soldier of the negro; and for this untenabls
dogma, forsooth, We are to allow ourselves to be
oyorrun, and IN Abolition Government erected
over US! Is great people to be governed By
such nonsense as this2 Are veto show ourSelve:
nation of silly theorists and trifcrs on the very
verge Of n political volcnno2 Heaven save III
from such counsellors in this critical hour! Th'
time is fast coming when we shall he cured Of
this folly and be willing to receive any aid thai
we can get, without regard to races or any otne'
distinction; and we prny it may not come toe
late.
AS n general rule, we, in common with oul
countrymen, are opposed to the policy of freeing
the negro in the South, believing that his presen
condition is best for him, and 70. all concerned
but VIC had rather soc one entire half Of thou
sat free, than the whele doomed to annihilation
and the liberties Of thoir masters crushed under
the heel of Northern dospot.
Whether freedom be their best condition or not
if 1ey think so, and tho promise be found to Sc
cure fidelity and efficiency in our cause, woult
not true wisdom, under tho circumstances, say
make the promise and perform it
When will the world become practical, and learl
to follow the teachings of commonsea "he'
will it learn that principles are but the result
experience and expediency, and that the YER.
same reason that points cut certain policy a
right at one time, may set it aside as wrong AM
pcrnicious at another! 1t is n very convenien
thing for mon w,o hato to take the trouble
reasoning or thinking, to lay down general prin
ciple and take it IS their guide and master for oil
, time, and under al circumstances. The wise man
the statesman worthy of trust, will take 'eo'o
for his guide, and by this touchstonc test all con
clusions for himself and his country. No prin
ciplc is universal in its applicability. What ma.
be right and best to-day, under one state of cir
cumstsnees may be grievous error tomorrow, lin
der another.