Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-18
For the Advertiser.
Judge .Aldrich's Letterto the Ridge
- MaafinG -

Mr., EDIroR:-Iti, i, my duty, as one having
s,me prominence in the Meeting at Bethel, 10
correct the erroneous impression which the Letter
Of Judge ALDnIcH Of the 18th June is creating,
throughout the District, and, perhaps, throughout
the State.
Whilst we cheerfIlly accord to His Honor, cor
rect motives, and patriotic impulses, We re-
gret to sec that he reasons from false premises,
His whole effusion is basedrupon presumption,
which misrepresents and does injury to rs honora-
bic and high-minded mem as ever assembled in
Edgefeld or Lexington, or even in Barnwell Dis.
trict "The object of their meeting was not to
avoid tho payment of, debts" as Eas assumed by
His. Honor, nor was it "to encourage the people
to reset the laws of the land" On the contrary,
il was called, that we might take counsel H..h
one another, how to prevent fraud andlawless-
ness, and tbat we might devise the means of pay
ing and settling the debts, according to thepro-
visions of law. Approaching the sentiments of
His Honor, before We heard them announced
from such high authority, our people had already
resolved ''to preserve their honor" and "to try
to pay theifsdebts," not avoiding their fair and
honest contracts" and needed not that pugnant
cxhortation-:" Be honest"
Hr Honor admits, that " no people in the his
tory of tho world, have have ever been so sudden
ly and completely ruined rs this Southern people,"
It was to evolve some scheme for repairing this
disaster that our Meeting was held. And if ever
there was an occasion, sincsthe establishment of
this Commonwealth, that demanded a display of
wisdom, learning. and character, it was that,
witch Judge ALDRrcH was asked to adorn with
his presence and ADVICE,
It is admitted by His Honor, that "thcre are
occasions when Judges, like all other citizens,
should embrace the opportunity to express their
opinions freely and lend their influence to Advance
particular measures of great public interest"
Was there ever such IN emergency as this-and
were any people ever euyironed by somany Diff
culties and dangers as ours? They cry aloud for
help, and who can suggest the remedies for their
relief, so wOll as our enlightened Judges2 We arc
ottrying case of debt upon which Judge is
to reserve his opinion, but we are casting abou.
for constitutional measures topreserve the life OF
the State. In times of great, peril, neither the
Bcnchof America norof England have ever re-
fused to come forward, either in Parliament or in
the National conncils, in the councils df the
people; to device the me ans Of saving the country.
Thatdignity, arising from conscious worth, when
the city is on 6re, or the State i, in danger,
shrinks from no necessary contact with mankind.
It neither walks on stilts nor consists of certain
hauteau. Of manner. II isiound aalwell insthe
camp, as in the court; and in the novels Of the
poor as in .he palaces of the rich, because it is
inspired of Heaven, and the giftios God, y
tisvery clear, from the proceedings of our
Meeting, that the letter upon which we have been
commenting, impugning its objects, had mot yet
been received, and, whilstI would not,abate one
jot from the compliment bestowed on the Hon. A.
p. AIoRIcu, think we did EN-, jim adopting
Resolution, which might be construed nsldistin-
gushing one of our Judges, to The prejudice of
the integrity and virtns Of the othsra,swhen all
according to their viewsoflt the law Of COINCIDENCE
and the laws of thefland, were equally devoted
to the principles of honor justice, ndpatrioti,m.
-. - : JOSEPH ,1BNEY.