The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-04-20
3 From the Columbus (Ga.1 Times.
Public Opinion at the NOrtil.-.PrOsPects
s of the South.

Public Opinion az the NOftn...FEVsPSSs
Is Of the South. -
Ia all the elections that have taken place ~ Inc
Noriheru States during the past season, The cues
lion of African Slavery has entered as a control
ling element. No party took very high ground
in Iavor of The institution. The only issue that
pny party dared to make, was. that the people OF
The States and Territories had the right to the ex
elusive management Of the domestic relations Of
The inhabitants. In no single instance. however,
as the party successful that stood upon this plat
form. So far as this argument is concerned, II IS
not important to say which party it was that made
this Issue with enemies. nor hat claims II
had 10 public confidence. The startling iact TO
which desire TO call particular attention. Is that
in every instance the party that made II was
crushed by popular majorisies unequaIled IN the
previous history Of political warfare-that even ~
their Gibraliars and Sebastopols, they were una
bic to make any resistance, but fell before their
opponents like ripe in The path of The hurri-
cane. This untoward result, took place in no one
ocality-it was no less uniform than it was uni.
versal. In the hills and valleys Of New Hamp.
shire-in the praries Of Iowa-in the lhrongcd
cities of Massachusetts and New York, and in the
rural hamiets Of Pennsylvania and Ohio, the al
most unanimous voice of the people has rendered
verdict against the South and her institutions.
Those persons who represent that the virus Of
abolition fanatcism is confined 20 particular class
in certain localities are, therefore, most gross.
ly derived. The plague has infected the whole
body OF Northern society.
II the South were disconnected from the North,
we might view with indifference the rawlings Of it's
fanalicsm. Connected in the close bonds Of Fed
eral Union, errors OF opinion at the North al.
most fatal 10 our peace and prosperity errors
of opinion al home Our laws are based upon o.
pinion, and the controlling section gives the law
IN he al he ,aEe hat NJ
general .ctlon were TO take place to- morrow,
that the majority IN The electoral college, the ma
jorlty Of the United States Senators, and The ma.
jority of Representatives in Congress- would be in
favor OF restricting slavery. We are protected
from this calamity by those provisions Of the con-
slitution which fix the terms Of Office to six, four
and Two years. Very soon, however these Of
fees will be vacated, and must be filled by men
representing TIE popular feeling. If we right
in the opinion that the controlling section Of the
Union is hostile TO Southern Rights, then it cannot
be long before the power and patronage Of the
General Government will be welded by our enc.
mics. The threatened danger is :mmnen,-lhe
day of battle draweth night is even at the gate.
In view OF these appalling realities, what is the
South doing TO meet the emergency? Nothing,
worse than nothing. large body o: our most
intelligent and acave fellow. citizens are busily
engaged in forming secret societies to guard The
Republic against the influence of foreign bora and
Roman Catholic fellow citizens; another large
body are denouncing the Democratic party and lis
patriotic President whose chief sin, in the eyes of
our enemies, IS his too great friendship for the
South and the balance OF us-what are we doing
10 guard our hear,hsones against the untold evils
which will flow upon US in the event The abnli,
nonIsts get control of The Federal Government?
Here and there, il is true, a faithful Waterman
sounds note of alarm, but he is scarcely more
needed than he who, in days of old, walked daily
upon the walls OF The city and cried Woe, woe
to Jerusaem." UntiI this fatal lethargy IS re.
moved and Southern people look their danger in
The face, there is no hope for The South. She is
sleeping in The tap Of Delilah while her enemies
are clipping the locks of her strength. God only
knows what her resources will be when she hears
the appalling cry, " the Phiistines be upon thee,
Samson