Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-10-04
The South.

History is the mirror of the pasi
and it is only by looking therein, thai
We are enabled to provide for the ex-
Iigency of the present, and to antici-
pate the dangers which environ the
future. 1t may, therefore, be called
the great teacher of States and states,
men. He, then, who would aspire to
the task of shaping the policy, OIL
controlling the destinies of people,
ought first to drink deeply from this
living spring--this Pierian fount.
Were this more generally done, that
wild, radiant spirit which now seems
to pervade our country, would receive
an instantaneous check; and men,
under the influence of the calm Iight
of history, would take juster view
of things, would entertain wiser SEN
timents, and pursue the path of mod.
Grafton and peace.
The history Of every nation is
important and instructive but that
of Greece stands preeminent, in the
lessons it teaches, the truths it In
ealcates, and the heroic achievements
it embalms. Recording the career Of
a people who attained to a high posi-
tion-who made themselves distin-
in arms, in arts and philOsO-
ply, and then lost their liberties and
forfeited theirs greatness-such arecord
is, indeed, worthy of the study Of the
patriot citizen. But if there is one
portion of that history more impOr-
tant any other-one which addresses
itself with resistless force to US of
the SOuth--it is that which re-
cords the gradual destruction of Gre
clan liberty by Northern foes-a work
commenced by Philip of Macedon, and
by Alexander. But Greece
united can defy the power and the
arms Of Philip. How then does he
bis design against his
southern neighbors? The story is
I'D. All know how be sends emissa-
les into the different States of Greece.
70 organize a party in bis interest;
low he stirs up civil dissension among
he people; how he secures in his
avor both orators and comedians; and
now all this is done with the greatest
secrecy. Still, however, he makes
)ut little progress, until the Greeks
Engage among themselves in the
sacred war" when, profting by the
internal feuds and consequent weak
less that ensue, he moves to his
,biects, and strikes those successive
lows beneath which the general lib
rites Of Greece finally give way.
Such, then, was the fate Of Greece.
'he fell because her people were not
qual to the artful and insidious pol
cy Of their enemy. As Greece stood,
o stands the Southern States of this
Jonfederacy. We, too, are menaeed
nth danger from the North; we, too,,
AVE name and a heritage Of liberty
o defend. A "Maeedonian" band,
ed by more than one "Philip," has
ong been marshaling its forces, and.
our constitutional rights.
AbolitiOnism, fanaticism, is our
reat foe, and the design of our.
nemies is, that it shall conquer,
Whilst another ism shall divide. And
low, when it seems so plainly the
luty of the Southern people to unite,
o realize the strength of union, to
resent an unbroken front to their
gg1essors, shall they show theni-
elves unmndfal of the teachings Of
history? Shall they allow internal
trife to divide and weaken them?
Shall appeals to religious preiudices
'e continued, and the buried embers
# unrighteous persecution be fan;
led in flame? And finally shall
hey calse another "sacred war; TO j..
pring up amongst them, and exhibit
he melancholy spectacle Of a people
livided and distracted, beneath the
shadow of an impending danger?
We hope not. We believe not. De
ipite the petty passions, and slight
divisions Of the day, our people are
me in feeling and interest and we
ely confidently upon their intelli-
gence and courage. The great South
,rn heart is sound and true; and
Northern fmatitcism may yet learn
hat It's muscular power is sufficient
10 sepd blood warm and coursing-s
all the parts and members Of
the body. An we want IS union and
harmony among ourselves