Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-25
For the Advertiser. 4, ..,sss.sss,Eyys,
70 the Citizens Of the Fourth Congress.

~ INC OltiZeRS OI the + Ourtn Congress
sional District.
y The /" Executive Committee vi tho National
Union Club" have issued their proclamation for
National Union Convention to be held in Phila-
;dslphia, nthe 18th of August next. Under in
from Head Quarters, the political satraps
through hoat the South have called upon their fel-
loR:citizens4o respond.
WesimpIy 9desire to call attention to the two
eointssinyolved in this matter which, in purr
days,an when the times were less disjointed,
were regarded as intimately connected: The let
is principle; the I'd is policy.
few quotations from the manifesto of the
Executive Committee and from the " Platform"
with running commentary thereon, will suffice.
"The Union of the States is, ii erefy case, in
dis.oluble. and is perpetual, Aitsrsmaking one
of the most gigantic struggles the world has ever
witnessed, to withdraw ourselves fromtthe Union,
might there not exist some dOaSt. in the minds of
tho crednlous, to our sinccrityin adopting this
proposition? - . =
"Thero is no right, anywhere, TO dissolve tho
Union, OF to separate States from tho Union
What is theological consequence of adopting this
proposition, but that we have been traitors to the
Government, and stand condemned through our.
own confession? -.
Gall such electors, who, in aspiritof patriotism
and lore for the Union, are especially requested
to take part in the5choicc Of such delegates"
Mark you,7 the conditions, and ask yourselves
when, and from what cause sprung this love for
tho Union. Can it be TINT from repeated chas-
tisement, we finally have cometo love therod?
"But NO delegate will take seat in such Con-
ventioh who does not Loyalty accept the national
situation, and cordially endorse the principles
above set forth" If'this simply means that ne
shall acknowledge that we have been conquered,
there is NO great difficulty involved-the only
thing is, that the repetition of the confession is
becoming uninteresting; but if it is intended that
weishall e1presaour admiration of the manheri in
which it was accomplished, and to say We deserre@
it, is We think, r,ra,hcr unkind-askng rather teo
much yet awhile.
But hear the sth Resolution of the Platform:
Treason is a.. crime that should bo punished, and
that we are opposed to compromising with traitors
ny barter;ng universal l-amnesty' for -tuniycrael
suffrage" Tobe subdued5is bad enough, to be
forced to cry peccari worse, to be asked to pass
sentence of on!lawry upon ourselves, smacks Of
degradation. If there is man in South Caroli-
M ~ho can go into the Philadelphia Convention
aud subscribe to this Resolution his face must be
cast in bross. :tL
",That the nation owes lasting debt Of grati-
;udc to the soldiers and sailors of1he late war
Eor the suppression of the rebellion" Must We
! really be grateful to thesz same soldiers and
| sailors? This looks very much like getting up
from the dust, pallng off your hat und politely
shunking the man who had just given you a good
thrashins. But We are soothingly-told- by the
distinguished Vice President of, the Club for this
State, thai South Carolina subscribe in honor
end sincerity to all the principles contained in
the Address of the Executive Committee. While
wo thank you Mr.. Fice-President, for your opin-
ion, We must respectfully decline to submit our
conscience to your guidance, We doubt your
power of absolution. ,..,,,
| A word as to policy. Expediency and policy
are the watchwords that have passed current, from
tae highest 10 the pettiest officer in the State
while moral cou,ss Ssand true manhood are at a
liscount.- We have been advised to submit to our
@r6ngs,ito raise no issues, and to conciliate our
masters; implore MOTTO express our appreciation
u tho Presidents veto in too strong and emphatic
language for fear Of further cnraging the Radicals
thereby. 20 not the Radicals look upon the
Government as peculiarly their own, and have
they not made their pretentions good thereto !?
Will they not regard our entrance into the Con-
vcaton, US piece of presumption, as political
] iIyasion, and enable them 70 sweep the country
il their hue andcry against us2 We have re-
coived repriove only, and not pardon from the
dominant party. .Westill stand at the bar,a and
my effort to escape will increase the severity Of
our punishment. If the doctrine of policy which
i,as been drummed into our ears by State officials
and leading men has been correct, why discard it
now? The Conservative men at the North surely
know that they will get our support without q
Convention; it must be equally potent that our
demonstrations and sympathy for them, or their
measures, is tho only one thing needful to Radi-
\ cal success. If the political clouds have begun
to put forth their silver Innings tothe view of
politicians, let them point the direction, that We
\ may look and be com forted.
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