Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-11-13


Then why should re attempt an impOssibiliy!
Why hold Caucus, nominate candidate or cast
q ballot2 1t could be only to cmbolden the negro,
by giving him IN easy victory only to urge him
on to new triumphs over the white race, by recog-
nising his right to suffrage, in contesling the poll
with him; only to losc the great moral power we
yet have over him as tho master race, as well rs
the vast physical power we still possess in being
the property holders; only TO raise him from
condition of conscious nferioriy to onc Of insult
ing equalily ab, to one Of dominecring superiority.
But if we ab.taia from caucu;ng or addressing
the negro,-if we stay away from the balloting
farce shortly to be held, and treat tho whole ne
gro, military proceeding with silent contempt,
then we may, and believe will, yet preserve
much of our wontci asccndency over Cufee, per-
haps until the reaction ut the North shall have
accomplished its work. But, if we would precipi-
tate war of races-if we would evacuate an i'm
prcgnable position to take up one that is weak on
all sides, both without and within,-if ne would
strengthen the Radicals at the North, and en-
courage them to proceed with their devilish work
in Congress, We have only to scramble with sambo
for tho honor of n seat in hia Convention, or for
the pleasure of n vote on his Constitution.
Instinct alone led MI the decent and rejecting
people Of Louisiana, Alabama and Gsorgia to let
Sanbo and the Military havo their elections oil to
themselves, and cannot iasult our people by e1-
pressing any fear that they, except thoughtlessly,
will do otherwise. While every dictate Of :"isdom
prompts US to this course, there is also sonside-
ration Of sentiment which urges it. South Caro-
lima led tho way into the Wilaeraess of Rovolu-
ton, with principle for her guide, and liberty for
her goal, counting no odds. Her sister Southern
States, herocally followed that lead through four
long years of war, blood aud devastation. Up 10
ina nnur or surruuuor, -o.osv-r -rue
untarnished, and can VIC now, if We would, act in
q manner different from the other Cotton States
80 Us to mako them ashamed of their leadcr,-so
Us to make us ashamed Of ourselves. Ought We
not rather still to conduct ourselves on every oc-
csson, no mater how trying or e1acting, so us to
justify their ancient faith in us-so as itl to en-
able them proudly to soy to US, as Demosthenes
did to the Athenians after STATE Rights and Civil
Liberty had been overthrown forever in Greece,
by the Northern States of their Confederation,
" Never, never, can you have done wrong, o Aihe-
mans, in undertaking tho battle for the freedom
and safety Of all"
After the sublime physical courage which our
State has exhibited, should she be found wanting
in her past boundlcss moral courage! Even if
wreckcss counscs are still to prevail in Congress-
even if fratrcidal war at the North, and war of
country oven if annhilation itself awaits us, let
US tuke no action whatever, unless we can do it
aonorablyj and, if need be- die NTH dignity, like
Caesar folding his robes about him when he saw
his fate was inevitable. Then no caucusng, NO
no voting with negroes in their
elections.
Nor are We in situation to argue any moro
successfully with the crazy white radical of tho
North, than the wild negro of the South. At
lines il Republic, especially in its infancy,
when the people are poor, and before wealth
makes them ready for chains and slavery, great
md patriotic leaders can form and guide great
md patriotic parties, solely for the good of tho
State; but ordinarily the love of money soon
'vercomes tho love of country in any Government,
rhere universal suffrage and rotation in Office
prevail, because as tho people increase in numbers
lad wealth, Offices are multiplied and salaries are
aised, until "the cohesive power of public plum
lcr" becomes the strongest ligament to bind
ogcther any political partyin such Government
Hence it is that pnrty is every thing al the North
low, while the welfare of the whole country is
nothing; the Federal Government everything,
While the State Governments are nothing; the |
legro everything, while the uhte man is othing;
he North everything, while the South is nothing;
he Union, once rythng, but now nothing.
Tho South has always formed tho hack bone Of
he Democratic party, and whom the Southern
states seeded from the party in 1850, it gave
ontrol Of the Federal spoils to the Radicals, for
he first time since tho days of the younger Ad-
ms. Forty years of hunger for official pap and
tealago had maio them Tofsh in their desire to
roy upon not only the country, but also upon
heir old enemies, the Democrats. Since thoy
ave been in power, they have made up for all
,st timc. During the war the Union was all in
Il, because that cry controlled the spoils; but
ow it is nothing, because restored Union would
estore tho Democratic party to power and spoils,
S when united that party has always had sufi-
lent principle, patriotism and regard for the gen.
raj welfare to carry the majority in elections.
he Federal Consolidation, Abolition, Radical
arty (for it has borne oil these names and many
theirs to deceive the pcOple,) has never lad any
,spectable number of adherents South Of tho
otomac: and after conquering the South, con-
,lidating the Government, abolishing slavery,
nd running the whole country, they know it is
leir creed in the land Of the Sun. Hence they
ust, not for tho good of tho country, but for the
Ike of the spos, mako party here, out Of ig-
orout, debused negroes and mcaner white men.
II such bo their object, and such their aims,
hy should we undertake the bootess task Of
olding Caucuses and writing Addresses to con- !
nee mon who will not bO convinced; to appeal ,
patriotism and justice, whenho best to secure
10 spois the only principle upon which they act
Nor lot US stultify ourselves by changing our {
,siton, as they hayc done theirs. During tho
nr wo claimed to bo out of tho Union; they de- q
ed it. Since the war, they say VIC did go out of @
Q Union, shall We 6asely deny it2 Shall We s
zap positions with Charles Sumner and Thad 7
eyens7 Never, never, Almighty God SO help t
i! uus children would disoUn US, the whole I