Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-10-18
For the Advertiser.
:. A Card
Edgelold, October 18th, 1865.

FELLOW CITIZENs.-At the solicitation OF my
friends, I have been induced to appear before you
as candidate to represent You in tho Congress
of the United States, Mt The approaching election.
In taking such position, am we'll aware that
ysur right to know clearly my opinion on all po-
litical subjects is unquestionable now proceed
briefly to give you my views on such topies, as in
my judgment mostly interest you at this time.
intend to speak plainly to yOu, for want to be
understood BY everybody.
Before assuming any position, however, or pla-
eing myself on any platform, it would be woll for
Us to take passing glance, aud trace hurriedly
the deep and wooful rayages made by tho bloody
and desolating tract of cruel war" upon our
own once prosperous and happy land. Whata
picture lies Outspread as We take this backward
turn What picture of contrast engravened,
as it were by the iron wrought pencil dripping
with the stream Of gsry.red that has delsgcd our
mountalLs and plains, and Ailsidcs and gens,
during the four past and heightened years of the
reign Of Cruel War;" Then the storm-felt LASH
ings, whether Of the adverse wind, the lightnings
sudden violence, or the wailings, in thundrous
echoes, of many bleeding hearts, do but add new
terrors to the terrific scene passing beneath our
vision. repeat again what sad "picture of
contrast" this, to tho " Sunny South of bygone
days,"-blooming in prosperity, whose very noun
tains and hill, echoed their gladdost tones, and
whose lovely wales and gentle streams smiled with
plenteous comfort, and flowed in jOyou, accents
along, and whose light-winged zsphyrs breathed
but happiness.
1t is heart siekening truly to take even this
eursory view of the picture, bnt We must we'll
survey our surroundings before deciding to take
q future step. Furthermore, besides the deep re-
grets for happiness tled-and loved ones gone
there is an evil of mich less depth which perhaps
may become of wide extension and bearing UPON
tho welfare Of our nation, and which demands
come consideration therefrom. This is the low
state of approaching bankruptcy that sccms
weighing US downward.
Let tho "plstform Of action" of every man be
onc for the good Of tho people, both as nation
State. While, am decidedly opposed to Repudi-
alton, am equally nyerse to compelling tho debtor
to pay the full amount of debts contracted during
tho recent war. The practical maxim now with
every ono should be :" to live and let live." am
in favor OF q judiciOus and equitable compromise,
and unwilling to add oppression to misfortune. 1
trust the next Legislature will enact some equta-
bic law to the general satisfaction Of both creditor
and debtor, and save us from the ruinou, conse-
quences Of impending bankruptcy, that would in
evitably ensue from course favoring only the JeW
The eman eipatien Of slavery by the Govern
mont of the United States, and the acquiescenee
in this movement by our own State Convention,
has brought u, now TO stand of deep thought,
as to what measures next to adopt to better our
condition, and raise us once again to hopo and
peace Various are the opinions that have been
suggested as to what shall be done with the negro
T can suggest no better pssn for the present, than
for the negro to be apportioned out to each State
10 the Union according to representation, or pop
ul.tion, or colonize them in some nowly acquired
territory.
lam also oppused to confsrring theright Of suf-
| frage on the recently freed negroes, because
know them to be incapable Of exercising such o
privilege; and because consider this dange-
rous eloment to introduce into the system of our
Government. we'll know @at this question be-
longs properly to the decision Of each State,-but
! am confident it will be brought before Congress,
ns tho restless abolition party, flushed with sue
coSsiye victories orc over ready TO- onter into new
fields Of agitation. The people. Of the North have
always had some negroes among them, but never
10 nv knowledge have they over raised these ne
groes to On equal station. with themselves If ono
Northern State has ever had O colored Governor
or lieutenant Governor or if ore Of this sable
race has erer been hnncred with seat in the
Legislative body, either State, or FedoraL 1t is
unkaown to no. In tho State Of Illinois, the late
home of President Lincoln, there is a law extant
prohibiting any: more negroes from settling in
that State, mad tho right Of outrage is withheld
from those already thero; aud similar law exists
in Ohio and Indisna. and perhaps in othsr North
| ern States. Truly, " Consistency is bright
;swel." If tho negro race occupy an inferior
station North, why not place them in their right
place South. Tho worry infcriority Of the race is
most obvious to tho nero physiognomist, and
,phot the Creator has made black, man can neUer
make ,ohite. Then why not allow the South the
right they assume to themselves? This very in
novation upon the rights of their brotherhood,
laid the foundation of the recent war-deep and
wide. Yet the abolitionists boast loudly that the
opening of this dreadful war hnngs not upon
their shoulders. had not fourteen of the States
Of the North violated the Federal Constitution,
as it regards the Fugitive Slave Law. the South
erp States would not have been driven to the
state of desperation, that has well nish brought
ruin upon them.
Iii. true that the South was prscipita.e in the
Secession movement, ana my humble judgment
and feeble voice dsapprovcd of the measure, yet
bayo ever taken for my motto, esqual rights to
the South as we'll rs to the North, end if tho
Goldon Rule, "To do unto others, as you would
have thom. do unto you," wero laid down as tho
Garner Stone of tho building of eur National
Constitution, peace would forever dwell with us,
uud MAR stay for, far awsy. II
So long asthe Government was N the hands
of tho Dgpooratjs party, our country was SAFE !!