Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-03
For the Advertiser.

Repudiati0n and the Convention.
Mr. EDITOR: am fully convinced in my own
mind that nothing short of rcpudiaton will ever
bring our people again to enjoy anything like
true happiness in this life. hold that, as Con-
gress has liberated our slaveg, which comprised
three .iourths Of our property and all our credit
was based upon tho institution Of slavery, that it
is unreasonable to expect payment Of debts
based upon that foundation.
I am aware that it will be argued that it is un-
constitutional and impoltic. admit that 1t
would be wrong IL the extreme in ordinary times,
or under circumstances quite different. If Con-
rrcss did right then it would be no harm for US
to follow that path which will lead US out OF these
difficulties. But if Congress did wrong, then it
would only be following them on smaller scale.
If it vas constitutional to enforce laws SO OBJ
noxious to our interests in time OF Rebellion"
us the Radicals would term it, and FREQ our
slaves in spite of all we could do, then it would
be constitutional to repudiate our debts, and
strike out all our Gains at least mp to the surren-
der, and say we will commence anow. But it may
he said that it was not CONSTITUTIONAL ana that
they had no right TO free our slaves, and tha'
they ought to pay US for them. If the Yankees
would do that, We would not plead for population.
We rill admit, for the sake of argument, that
they had no such right; neither was it constitu-
tional. But it does not alter the case whatever.
Slavery liz at an end, Constitution or no Const-
tuition" What do the Yankees care about consti-
tuition SO they carry out their point? Not fig.
It is not constitutional for US to have Military
Government, in our midst, and yet tacy arehere.
We say Congress had no right to free our ne
sroes. And argue fro this point that VIC have
no legitimate right to pay n debt that was based
OH slavery. Lot US take fur instance Il man that
owned fifty negroes, and suppose they were worth
three hundred dollars per head this would mike
his estate worth fifteen thousand dollars in slave
property. ask would it he just for him to pay
debt that he may owe to the amount of five thou
sand dollars, when, if Congress had let the NO.
grocs alone. ho would have been fully able to
pay the debt in full.
Again, here is a man who borrowed five thou
sand dollars to buy negroes with, or he may have
been appointed guardian for some minor; his
credit was based On slaves, but they arc now FREQ,
and the man is not able to pay 10 cent, in tho
dollar.
but there is another class, that of surctics.
There are hundreds and thousands. of such who
will be ruined in the end, merely because slavery
is "gono up"
There are numerous other classes too tedious to
mention. Wherc is the right or justice, ass
again, to contend for that which Congress has des
troyed7 am bold to affirm that nino-tenthS of
the dcbt2 now existing were made on the basis of
slavery.
I am aware that thcro are some who Would ab-
hor the idea of reputation, merely because they
do not SEQ it in its true light, or because they owe
nothing, and havo good deal owing to them.
Allow me to remark just hero that have good
deal moro owing to me, than owe, md 1 lost
several slaves by freedom; but nm willing, for
the sake of humanity, and the good Of our coun-
try, to commence anew. think would say just
what do, if hnd thousands owing to ME, and
by pushing ut Inv I could recoycr il. There ars
thousands upon thousands who would rejoice and
bc glad. New life would spring up in every hovc
along tho valley, by the waysidc, and in all our
affairs generally. But lot the strong nrm of the
law be opened for litigation, md every ono will
drend the consequences, but those who arc craving
tho small mites they may chance to get. Look, if
You please, back to Inst fall court What reck-
loss state of affairs doc, it present. 1t makos mo
shudder to view tho scene that seems to loom upin
tho future.
Reputation would, think, give moro general
satisfaction than anything else that could be dono.
Wo talk about pence with the Radicals, and all
that sort of thing, but giyo us peace Mt homo,
and unanimity, and it will accomplish more than
nil our enemies may do.
But somo may ask how will this thing como to
pass? How arc VIC to throw OF this bnrdcn'
Where will VIC commence? We answer, in the
Convention But what will it avail US there2 Let
as try and sec. 1t is unconstitutional TO inter-
bre With tho obligations of contracts. If so,
Congress is guilty of G gross error whom she de-
eared that slavery should no longer exist And If
Congress should try at any tino to aunul any aei
coming from the Constitution of tho State let
them remember, that they have stepped oyer It
IL tue mOGt degrading manner.
I am in favor of s. Convention upon the ground
that If we wait longer, We only lot the Radicals
1.1 ,ho ,ord NJ onnroea,on ptrop oor md ,tro,...