Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-02-28
The IS CriSiSS

crisis or another each in its turn seeming at the mo-
mpnt to threaten disruption Of the American Con-
fedcracv Yet thus far that Conleerary stands intact
The centripeal forces at work in our system have
continued TO over-ollance the centrifugal until nj
length 4 confidence has lakcn possession of large
part of III American people, amounting with many To
absolute faith in the ndeslrnrlibility of that mighty
ligamen which binds us ue Siates) together
lion This conclusion is neither unnatural, nor alto
gelher illogical 1t is not unnatural beranse there is
noble prompting which must frequently arise in the
breast Of every American patriot to hope for the per-
manency Of Union founded by common ancestry,
the better preserve independence purchased with
common blood 1t is NOT altogether illogical; because,
as the mariner implicitly to the good ship he has
known to brave full many storm, so is the citizen apt
to feel in regard to the government which has with
stood repeated and dangerous emergencies unframed.
But the confidence thus engendered and thus based,
however its pausiblity may lull 10 sleep all serious
apprehpnsions Of approaching danger is by nu means
an anchor sure and steadfast Is il not rather n
Syren whose deusvc nsinualions may lead us laugh
ing and fddling the very brink of ruin! If we con-
suit the histories of such governments are now
numbered among the things that wcre,' there Will
stand out for instruction and warning, more Than
one instance TO show that this blind and unreilecling
confidence in the powers that be-" is certain con-
cnmani if not an active cause, oil national degrnrr'
acy and downfall In the Of the Federal Govern
ment under which live, it is enliey true ilasome
dangerous inncures have been mel and avoided. DIFF
erenres have bren adjusted the hazardous tendencies of
which had caused our most hopeful patriots to renbe
Quiet and comparative contenment have been restored
when revolution seemed almost upon us. But let 1t be
remembered that there has ee to this point in our
history a powerful conservative influence al work
which is fast passing away-we mean, the influence
of those great men who drew their first lessons from
the very lips Of the heroes Of SerenySir Tranedto TO
believe that the Union, established ny their imme'
hiate progcniiors, The great political " Holy oil
IIolies" they strained their gigantic ntellccls To pre-
serve invioale and advance its glory They saw
the immense obstacle that was likely at an early day
to impede our onward march Cunfrdcrary They
saw the growing sectional hnstiy arising out Of our
system of African slavery and the inftuaon OF Nor
ern fanatics in regard thereto. And they toed TO
avert the danger until, by one they have lalen,
martyrs as it were to their aabsorbing for The
veal of omr free institutions. They are gone, and with
them has departed array Of experience, patriotism
and genius which has never been surpassed IN lhe
palmiest days OF any people, ancient or modern. IL
is that experience, that patriotism, that genius, which
have varied off the evil hour Of American dssesions
CLAY, CALHOUN and WEBSTER were the last of this
race OF great men, And the grass has scarcely sprung
up in the shadow Of their tomb-stones, before the
Demon OF Dscord has filled the country with his hide.
oriu Ipta IN
estimate pr, prry The of parties and sections Of
parties Of iSms and phases Of ms now going on in the
huge caulrun of American politics. and he will surely
agree with US in saying that the day of patriotic con
servalisn in our Federal councils does in ruth seem
10 have passed Oft with lie immortal Trio just
mentioned We know that there are snme good be.
levers who would yet say the dishearrned Of our
people, :. Nercr Despair ~ They would have us think
that all will yet come rght-ihat there Is an element
Of safety still extn al bottom in the great American
mind which will rise or later in lis majesty, 10
crush the swarming enemies Of Truth, Justice andt the
Constitution {" So mote IL be :" But when we look
the facts of the day in tie face, constrained to
the opinion that to indulge these hope of our future
is little short of resolnic bin ness Is it not better TO
realize The magnitude Of the coming storm fully rs
is possible for us to do Might not thus became
rore careful as Southern reemcn, set our houses
nj r'6rder. NOT 10 die but 10 livc ?"
The foregoing reflections have brcn suggested By the
fact, now become notorious That Northern nai"rIies
every where, throwing of all guisc Of conre'lmenl
and boldly declaring eternal enmy 10 the South ami
her institutions as The guiding star of their future poll
cy Without regard 10 The turhnlenl marshallins Of
the enemies OF Peace, Of Virtue and Of rational ber.
ty-as manifested in the immense motley Northern
camp of political enihnsiasis-we hold their common
resolve to resist every hazard, all further extension
of African slavery into the territories of the United
States as being distinct and unmistakeahle kncl of
the American Union. And We wonld warn every
Soulhener to nurse in his bosom, from this time for
ward the walchfunesso of sentinel at midnight when
the enemy by thousands are at hand. For mighty
ronflict is evidently approaching. And those VIII"
would moi see their Southern hearlh.sunes stained
with the ilow of innocent blood must prepare in lime
to rrpvl, with every means at their command, yon host
Of maddened zenots.