Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-06-01
For the Advertiser.

Mr.. EDIToR:-I hear it rumored that
we are to accept the situation-the abnor-
NAL situation in politics.
Let us examine, in brief manner, our
past situation and the present, and the
causes which have been and still are in
operation to bring about healthful state
of things III politics. In respect to the
causes which brought on the struggle we
have passed through, we say that we
were light in one scnse-at least accord
ing to the opinion of themost philosophi-
cal and statesman-like interpretationsiot
the United States. In another sense: we
were wrong,-having violated orattempt-
ed to retard the great foundation princi-
pie of enlightened and civil governments.
1t is perccptiblc on an examination. OF
the philosophy of history, that before
and during what we denominated the
dark ages of our history, governments
did trench on the rights of the people,
and allowed individuals to trench on the
rights of others; but, especially since
the feudal age, government has advanced,
and now says: You can do as you please,
so long as you donottrench OH the rights
of others. And this fundamental idea
certainly abolishes slavery. And it oc-
ours to the writer tlnt, losing sight OF
this fundamental idea, and holding on to
the special guarantee under our own Con-
stitution, we precipitated the abolition OF
our own favorite institution-an institu-
ton which was certainly valuable TO the
world, and to the individuals represent
ing it, and would have proved valuable
to all parties in the Indefinite future. But
we precipitated its dissolution, and be-
hold the situation.
Are we to acceptit? No, and why?
Because the situation is the result of force,
and in violation of the fundamental prin-
ciple alluded to. The records of the past
give instances of the inferior classes
rising up in their might, and usurping
the government, but they have always
been equal in Constitutional endowments.
But here is race at the South, with very
inferior Constitutional endowments, who
have usurped the government of the
States, and how2 Why, by. the aid OF
that most unscrupulous set, whose like
have poupced upon governments in all
ages, in times of trouble, and torn, them
L.. x.;.,or DIT +1,a c;t,,ot;o,, Sc NOT fioo
perate, seeing the usurpation is the result
of accident, and by mongrel set who
have generally been in the lowest situa-
tons. But the race which seems to be
bearing the burden of the day-a race
who made the world of art, science, lite
rature, mechanics, refinement, and all
regular governments too, and forever
will do SO, with perhaps an occasional
ephemeral interruption,-will doubtless
soon change the situation.
Some of the causes which have been
and are still in operation to change the
situation may have been, and still are, to
human appearances, irregular, but in the
settlement of many things in this life,
and more especially in war and politics,
moral questions are ignored, and for
aught we know in accordance with uni
versal thought. Conflict seems to be uni
versal in nature, and our present conflicts
may be the means of softening, intimida-
ting and bringing into harmony that
which was incongruous. o5If
CITIZEN.
ITO he continued.l