The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-29
ed in a state of separation from the

W ouA o"h Wy "bA ou'StJ NS Cdu
point you to no higher evidence than
the past to realize or to contlovert
them.
Even under the far better auspices
the much higher incentives, and the
noblcr aspirations that their example
has presented for our imitation, we
feel and VIC know full well the chill
ling influence of timid and distracting
counscls like these in repclling inju.
ries and ayerting agsrcssions of ten.
fold the magnitude and outrage of
theirs.
What, then must have been the
stern virture Of those men contend.
ing with foes within, host without,
few, prosecuted, divided, and pro.
scrbed-against rcmonstrances, men
aces, rabblc fears, and croakiug coun-
sells, who, for principle, an abstract
principle, only to evadc an insignfi-
cant tax y stirred up ali &c elements
Of national strife, invoked thc storms
of war, and stood unscathcd, untcrri-
fed, and undismaycd amidst its ra yc
and its dcsola,ion? Postcrily would
do but imperfect justice to ,hcir mo
tives we should render bat mis-
erb!e homage to the hcroism of those
who achieved cur national indepcnd.
cncc--wcrc We to suppose that it
was the result of unanimous counscls
of popular aclibcration, or harmony
and concert OF action. Mott vas the
few, the wise and noble few, who
were in the van Of the contest then,
like South Carolina now. Those like
our Calhouns, our Nc Duties, and
our Elmores, leading, instead of be-
ing led by popular enthusiasm. Nay,
when tho battle of Lexington was
fought, Georgia was not there--as
she is not here now. Even South
Carolina WAS then Ieposilg in pros.
raasaas peace, chp.ijiS'd nht =
fostcrcd favu'itc, nursei in the
lap of fond and inGuIgcnt parent,
country. When aroused from he,
slumbers by the rcvcrbcra:ions of Tie
battles roar, it was not to dclibcate,
but to act; it was not to purchase by
submission selfish exclusion from
the horrors Of war, but to rush in the
full tide Of her Amcricau sympathies
to share in the dangers Of the contest.
Nor was she, too, without her own
domestic dissansions. While She
was battling with foreign foe at
Fort Moultric, Eutaw, and Camden,
and winning laurcls from Euro;c's
bravcst soldiers, her richardson's,
her Sumtcrs and her Marions were
alike contcnding for hard earned VIC
tories over the bloody royalists of the
district Of 90 and the indvmitaLlc low
atty Of the interior.
Much may be said to excuse the
reasonable opposition Of hosc who
felt no wrong, who saw uD principle
involved i'll the contcst vito knew no
allegiance save that Of loyalty, who
had experienced the fayors, the mild
ness, and benchccncc Il the British
govcrnmcnt-who had grown pros.
porous and rich under lis liberal pa,
tronagc and efficient protection, anil
whom religion itself, as well rs prcjt.
dice and education, had taught to
love, to revere, and to yc.4ra,c rs a
mother. Bnt when, AZ tmc and
occasion like rs, al Nave writhcl
under the opp:c sicuv when all have
seen and acknowledoc ocA tie ag-rcs
sion and the danger, wien ,hc most
blind have seen, the most patient
have exclaimed, Tie most hopeful
have dcspaircd, and .hc most for.
bearing have grown restless; when
this government, which We nave done
50 much to establish. Which We have
made so many sacrifices to preserve,
has become a sectional dcSpotism, Il
ianatical monster, threatening our
rights, rlundcrimg onr 'opcIty, and
uprooting our institutions YES, when
!hosc institutions arc even now tot.
tering to their fall, may we not cx.
pcct Of South Carolina, AMI even of
the South, a unanimity Of counsel,
and energy Of action, yiyor of pre-
paration, such as no people ever be
fore manifested III {" degree 50 terri.
IL 1 ~