Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-01-15
WHENCE MUST OUR REDEMPTION COME 2

be disbelieyed That these dangers are daily in !
creasing in magnitude is equally true The spirit
of Abolition, which commenced breathing its
pestiferous influences upon the Am..ican mind
but few years ago, is now being felt in every
part Of our vast Republic. North Of MAsoNs
and UrxoNs line, it has already become potent
to direct and control the balot-boS, 10 lat1cnta
bly, undue extent. and South of that line, it has
tainted its thousands. In looking over its past
history, the conclusion is forced upon every oh.
servant man that this wild and disorganizng
spirit has been rapidly progressive. Nor is there
any thing, ut present transpiring, calculated to
lessen the probabilities of Its career becoming
more and more sweeping with each succeeding
year. Every effort to impede its onward course is
scattered and driven off, like chaf before the
wind. Even the high functionaries of the Cen
trail Government, with all their accumulated pow.
er, are inefficient to decrease its terrible momen-
tum. The reasons, we fear, are too clear to be
doubted, going 10 show that Power and Fanati.
cism are fastening on, hand in hand, to the de-
struction Of Southern prosperity by subversion
of that Institution upon which it mainly depends.
And where are we to look for the redeeming
angel, destined to roll back this dark and dashing
tide! 1t may be answered, to the honesty, the
justice and the generosity Of the great American
People. There was a time when there might
have been something consoling in this reply. But
that time is not now-rnay never be again. Our
fathers before .us were sustained in many political
trials by an abiding faith in the American COR
,Ln~ aI,n
have they been deceived. Until, gradually, the
patriotic impulses which led them to insti into the
youthful minds of US, their children, jealous
admiration Of the American character, became
chilled and blighted. And their last teachings
partook more of the nature of solicituus warnings
agains. grea. and growing evil. Would that
it were so that the faith of our fathers still dwelt
securely in the bosoms OF the present generation
Of Southerncrs! But it cannot he. change
has passed over the Republic and '-'er Republi-
cans; and every one, who will obsiinately
close his eyes, must perceiveit Our Government
has been basely perverted to unholy and uncon-
stitulonal purposes. The simplicity and frugaliy
of former days have been replaced by compleIity
and e1travagunce, among our people we'll as in
the departments Of State. The old Saxon and
Norman blood which planted the tree of Liberty
on this side the Atlantic, has been strangely
mixed and corrupted by an influx OF men Of all
kindrcds and tongues. And this last evil has but
just fairly commenced. The American people are
not now what they were twenty years ago.
Twenty years hence, and no man may be able to
delneate with any accuracy the thousand phases
of American society. True, the National ANAL
gam may cement the various heterogeneous COM
pounds into one solid mass. So much the worse
for Southern welfare. For every shpload OF
emigrants landed upon our shores is but nn in.
crease of those feelings and principles which tend
, to raise the Central Power upon the downfall Of
local interests md State Rights. Because, the
advocates of Consolidation and the propaganlists
, of Abolition having already the numerical
, strength, those who come from other lands and
: are imbued with similar views, Will assuredy
! blend with the majority. And such are ALL OF
x-all-r-h4-s--------.aeA =drc1xIun OF The
American People is no longer worthy to be trusted
In America, the "2oz popul" is now far-yery
far from being the "-or Del" It is much nearer
the voice of Anarchy and misrule
3 Where then, we ask again. shall we look for
, Southern Redemption The confding religionis,
/ may reply, to the infinite goodness and wisdom Of
that Providence which rules the affairs of Nations
t May this sacred confidence never desert lis! But
be it remembered, the lessons Of our holy Religion
instruct us that man is the instrument of his own
well-heing While it is God who giveth the in.
crease-that it is by the active and untiring use
, of means, with the blessing Of Heaven We are
to secure either temporal or eternal good If we
| sumber and sleep, j: Il in vain we look to the
Righteous Ruler above us for that which we need
If now, as people, we lie supnely upon our
; backs willie political Avalanche threatens to
overwhelm us in ruin, we will offend jus, Pro-
videncc by an empty faith which shows itself by
no outward works. There is n faith in the Just
Government Of Heaven, which has and will
again rebound to the benefit of nations. II is q
faith, similar 10 that which animated PATRICK
HENRY, when he exclaimed, "To trust TO arm,
and to the God Of Hosts is all that is left us!'
{ And here is indicated the only instrumentality.
we verify believe, which will dsenthrall our
Southern homes from the doom which now seems
to await them. Let us dare to do what was done
in l776-and the same Providence which con-
Quoted that struggle to successful issue, will
lead lis out of this wilderness of despair into a
fair and happy condition once again.
Some may think that these expressions are out
Of fseason-that they would have done well enough
for the exciting days of 81, but are not suited to
the Indifference and depression which character
izc the opening of 80. It is a consciousness of
this very apathy which has led our thoughts to
this topic As an humble sentinel upon tho watch
tower of Southern interests, we feel it to be our
duty to keep perilous position ever before US.
What though particular mode Of Southern re-
sistance has becn set aside as Inefficient! Is our
work therefore at an end Is the Southern spirit
therefore fled! We would not yet indulge the
dread supposition. And yet, without powerful
awakening, the South is gone and her lovely
plains" despoiled of all their wealth and beauty.
Among others, we have had serious fears that the
sleep of death had we'll nigh taken hold Of our
people. But no! the end of our struggle for equal
rights is surely not yet arrived. Let us not suffer
ourselves to become callous to our country's fate,
however disIeartening the chances may be. Let
ns endeayor to keen the flame of Southern rcsls.