Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-06-06
WE PLEAD FOR HARMONY.

WE PLEAD FOR HARMONY.
We cannot repress the conviction, that th
founding Of the Know Nothing order is
shrewed Yankee trick; cunningly devise
to produce discord and confusion at tn
South. 1t was not necessary to the success
Of their intended schemes Of fraud and insult
that the Aboltionist of the North shoul,
have cooperative party in the South. b.
no means. All power is in their hands; tn
next Congress will be emphatically an anti
slavery Congress, and the Government vii
be under their control. And so far as th'
election of the next President is concerned
n popular opinion in the Northern States
undergoes no change, they will have suf
ficient majority in the electoral college te
elect their candidate. They must have hat
some sinister design, in starting this new
order. We believe it.
The last Presidential election, crushed ant
wrecked, hopelessIy and forever, the Whie
party. So complete was its overthrow in tht
South, that its boldest and most far.seeins
leaders, abandoned all hope of rallying it
members and dsbanded. There remained
then, but one dominant party in the South
and hence upon all questions she was 8
unite. And it was precisely this fact, tha
gave rise to the Known Nothing party, il
our judgment. The entire programme O.
the North in the next Congress, has refer
ence to slavery. Her members will enter
it, not to legislate upon national interests
but to war upon sectional interests and rights
sectional and s'.veTy issue, Southern mer
would fight shoulder to shoulder in the Uni
on, and if defeated. that together they would
leave the Union. They dreaded to pit sec.
tion against section, to meet the united for.
ces Of the South. Hence, while attempting
unto teach Southern men the art of violating
the Constitution,-a branch of political
science, in which the North is very learned,
and Of which she intends soon to give un.
deniable evidence; the North intended to
divert ther attention from her proposed
attack upon slavery, to disturb their harmo.
ny and render them less able to resist her
measures, either in Congress or out A
division in the ranks OF the South, upon
questions of national policy, the North knew
could not be produced; and in attempting
to accomplish her purposes, by introducing
the know.Nothing order, she acted upon a
keen perception of the frailties and unwor.
thy prejudices Of human nature. The poi
son is taking effect, and we fear ere long
that we shall see Southern men arrayed in
strife, as Know-Nothings and Anti.Know.
Nothings.
We ask Southern men, if they are willing to
imperil their all, by a reckless division in
this hour of danger-will they split upon
this new order, and thus become plant tools
in the hands of Northern men. Forbid it,
Heaven! The slavery question has wreck
ed all national parties-no party can sue.
ceed North which disregards the anti.slavery
is an idea, that runs through eve-
rything in that region; and so far, the indi.
cations are that il lies at the foundation of
.he Know.Nothing order. A national Know.
Nothing party then is impossible; such a
party would split, just as all others have
lone the Northern wing Of it would be
anti.slavery; the Southern wing pro-slavery
Why should our people fall out aud divide,
about party which can afford them no ad.
iitional strength b,-nay, that will weaken
hem. The Northern Know.N Nothings dare
lot cooperate with those of the South; for
hey would meet the fate Of Douglass, Shields
German, Richardson, Dickinson and Petit
hose pure Democrats of the North, who
ought gallantly' for the South, and then fell,
rushed by Abolition forces. We entreat our
'eople, not to suffer this KNOWN Nothing
light to come over their counsels, to distract
nd paralyze them. As Southern men we
ave but one issue to meet. It is not an
ssue, with regard to Foreigners or Catho.
ics; but it is an issue involving the very
ristence Of slavery. The Slavery Question
} truly the only one at issue. In meeting
Northern men upon this issue, Southern
len will have sternly to resist their assassin
tabs at their rights, their property, their
ociaI system, and their civilization. These
re momentous interests. and it is a momen.
'us question, how shall the South meet the
lorthern hordes of Alarics His bugle
last is fast collecting his .robber bands;
ley are united in their purpose to rob, plum.
er and ruin us;-are we united in our pur.
ose to resist theml Let Southern men
onder we'll the necessity for harmony; for
appy will the South be, if in the coming
:ruggle her sons are found firm and undi.
ded.-Anderson Gazette & Advocate.
TnE Post Office known as Treadaway or
odI in Barnwell District, which was dis.