Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-06-06
For the Advertiser.

.Ss the Washington correspondent of the IL &C.
field Adrertiscr, over the signature OF Pal@et'o'
raised the warning voice in opposition to the
doctrine Of separate Secession, (the first step to-
wards -enane ipationI--.he then prevailing senti-
ueutUi South Carolina. III Subsequent article,
over my "wn manic, which appeared III tho Adrer-
,iss' of Decembsr 5th, 1850, discussed tho sub
ject more ufly, aud warned my sellowcitizens of
the danger Of allowing their minds TO be led nstray
by The inNammalOry harransues OF the dag. The
agitation that surrounded Us not only threatened
the stability Of the Government, hut itoperi!ed
the great principles of Republican liberty under
which orr people have enjoyed prosperity ind
happiness auch as TO other nation ever expert
eneed Separate Secession was no chlds play;
the crisis ,h.ous whick we were passing was :.
dangerous one, and c..ed for oil the wisdom,
moderation, und patriotism in the land. And
evun with tie combined assistance OF all our
wisest and best men,, VIC should be fortunate in
deed, five escaped from the storm without utter
ruin. Ny feeble voice passod unhecded, and
South Carolina plunged head long into the whirl-
POSI- of destruction, and only q few survived the
surgng pillows to tell the tale.
For advocating mild and conc 'liatory measures,
the oppusiie 20 separate Stats. action, was not
orly. DUBBED "a Submissionist," but was denonnc-
ed as disloyal 10 the State OF my nativity and
it was snid L should receive acoat of tar and
feathers for daring to raise my voice. (Which
had right to do,) in opposition to the will OF
the controlling spirits Of the State of South Caro-
lina was held up in perfect contempt, by the
lopa-mouthol p"liic of the day, to the ga
znr r,u tinidrs that assembled r m time to time,
around the lib"rty poles tbat were raised upon
the top uf nsar:y every hill 10 c socaled South
orn Cuurcd IA. y. Nor wns this ill. sn9h was
the bitter feeling tnwnrl. re, L uas voted for
a. n ,iclcgateto the State Convention on ticket
with Aes:rs SuMSEH, WILSON, GIpDlac and other
Black Republicans as tscy were termed, which
ticket was enclosed to Inc in az anonymous letter
while in Washington City.
In reply to ~, nany harsh criticisms Upon my
com u. uuica,ions, simply remarked that lophcd
to time for full vinlicution Of the principles
adv, Gated, and TIC position had taken. 2aot
.tmc Ar. n,e ar, ;rcd and VI nj is tho picture be-
fore US! The Southern Confeacracya failure: the
lives Of thousands OF her sons sacrificed, millions
Of property destroyed, tho institution of Slavery
doomed, South Carolina in n State of anarchy j
State. once prosperous md happy, now little
eomwunity outside Of any orguniz7d GoTernmen'
the victim of the madness OF her own Sons, the
icc- ami by-vor.l nj surrounding neiEs6oI tho
/ laughing stock Of the civilized world.
Having submitted nysei: again to the public
eve and opinion only in vndcation. of my honor
as n patriot and an unchanged, true-E 'rted son
of South Carolna,-my own native state,-l beg
leave euly to add few words more as in.e'roga-
tory.
uas,pot time proved which is tho. Aboliti0nlsf'
.uud which the devoted patriot LAS not time
distin guished the loyal from the dsloyal citizen!
And does not the love Of country, and an earnest
desir, for my country's wefarc-begin now 10
dawn upon the political horison-with this new
" Light of development now shining forth or
am still nominated by the people warped
aboliionist?
In asking this, far &c it from my heart to sit ss
iudse and pass the samo sentence of condemnn-
ton upon any one Of my friends, in tones so loud
so horsb so urkind, and SO very unjust, as that
which hns heapcd reproachc, upon myself. AL
now tbrt can hc spid is: let raeh oneof U.S. who
| hiss bsen passing through this trying struggle
examine him.eli-each and every cne on either
side of this great political quostion-and see
wha, has been tho ruling passion So strong in
his breast during this timO to try mems souls"
IIas each ono acted out bis creed.
Has every one was first in speaking, been found
foremo.. in action I? Has tho Gre Of pure and
holy patriotism burned in every soul, unquenchcd
by that rapid stream of speculation, which has
rolled around us with the rapid turn of the whirl-
pool; or by any othe. pOlluting stream of ruin
Lot conscience give to each his answer
H. C. GRIFFIN.
June 5th, 1865.
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