The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-29

t'S3 ""SS'o "'shout ShpeliSHCe VI
rcnown; treason within, traitors with
ont, and invasion around; the house
hold no protection, neutrality no
refuge, the farm deserted and devas.
tated, and the security of the camp
to DO purchased only by privation,
harassments, wearisomc marches,
and bloody sufferings;-he had some.
thing more precious than gold who
possessed salt for his food; he slept
upon bed Of roses when some tenn
porary success Of Sumter or Of Ma
rlon enabled him for a mcmcnt to
suspend his vigils or his fears of some
marauding enemy. In battle always
beaten, but never conquered; in
strategy often foi'ed, but neverthe
less victorious. If we assaulted, it
was, perhaps, to be repelled; and
yet seldom without the object to be
obtained. IF we marched forward,
il was but to retreat again with pre-.
cipitation, perhaps; but without loss
or dishonor, and often to occupy Gas
if by fortune or accident) still more
eligible position. In short, it was
the tactics of Fabius, with tcnfold
the endurance and the difficulties,
without Canna to accelerate his
triumph. Nor less, too, was it the
bold energy Of a NIarcellus, with
more blood, and toll, and suffering;
but with intinitcl y more limited means
and inadequate preparation either to
achieve or encounter it.
And would not one tithe Of this
bold. pcrscvering energy be sufficient
to rescue and preserve the dcstinies
Of South Carolina as a sovereign.
free, and independent State? Or
are we, felIow-citizens, too degenerate
to initiate the example of our ances-
tors, even to the tenth degree of
their gallant bearing? Are our
institutions more worthless than
pound Of tea? Is our State unwor-
thy of the sac, ifice? Or we're We
ae!ndcd, or did &c but pcrrctrate the
'nochery OF acraelsjest. when we pro.
c!"i' Cd tn the world the imninsncc
OF their danger, and the deliberate
ness ct our purpose to defend them
'at all hazard and to every cxtremi.
ty:'
Out Of the blood, the toll, and tho
treasure of the States has our indie.
pcndencc been achieved, and our
Government been erected. We took
it pulling and born babc-it
has grown up into a vigorous man
hood. We cherished it ricketv
chlld-it has become a champion, a
monarch, a master, and a tyrant.--
We protected its infancy through all
the storms of war--its cradle was
rocked By the dying struggles of pa
triots--i,s infancy sustained by the
generous blood of sovereign States,
until, spurning the lap that nurturcd
it, it rose like a young Hercules from
his swadlling clothes, to strangle its
nurse and to pcrpctra,e rarricide.
We took it cold md senselcss asp
to our bosom, until, animated by its
warmth, it has stung--nay, it has
poisoned and corrupted the generous
heart that nestled it. 'Wc planted it
a mustard (thc least Of alb seed, and
watcrcd it with our blood and our
affections, until it ha, grown to a
great herb, and the unclcan birds of
the air have lodged and brooied and
nestled therein We established it
for our general and political welfare,
but It has usnrpcd domestic and
spiritual dominion, and claims to
possess the right, as well as feel the
obligation, Of cxpurgating us Of tho
sin OF slavery. 1t came stranger
poor, and hungry, and naked,
seeking our aid and hospitality; but
when warmed by our fresiles, cloth
ed By our bounty, and strengthened
by our good cheer, it derided the
host, monopolizcd the hearthstonc,
dismissed our servants, and appropri.
a,ch our property. 1t approached
Us with the mock humility of the
ha,chct in the fable, which besought
Of the wood a little stick, (but little
stick it askcd,) to make for itself Il
hclvc, as its sharp edge would other.
wise be useless. So modest n re.
quest, and 50 small a favor, the
forest thonSht it would be unrcasona.
bic not to comply with. But no
sooner was the Ratchet armed with its
handle, than the trees began to fall,
the forest disappeared, the shade was
succeeded by tho sunshine, the
plonghsharc upronted the bosom Of
the earth, and the fruits Of the soil
took the place Of natures primcval
planting.
And thus it is, fellow. citizens, that
we now stand related to this found
ling of State charity--this being of
our creation-tbis unnatural monster