Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-02
From the Columbus (Ga.) Times.
PURLIC OPINION AT THE NORTH-PROSPECTS OF
TUE S0DTH.

PURIlC UPlNlUN al THE NURIH-PRUNPEGTSU UF
TILE SOUTH.
In all the elections that have taken place
in the Northern States during the past sea.
son, the question of African slavery has en-
tered as controlling element No party
took very high ground in favor of the insti.
tuition. The only issue that any person dar.
ed to make, was, that the people of the
States and Territories had the right to the
exclusive management of the domestic rela.
tions of the inhabitants. In no single in
stance, however, was party successful that
stood upon this platform. So far as this ar.
gument is concerned, it is not important to
say which party it was that made this issue
with our enemies, nor what claims it had to
public confidence. The startling fact to
which we wish to call particular attention,
is, that in every instance the party that made
it was crushed by popular majorities une-
qualled in the previous history of political
warfare--that in their Gibralters and Sebas.
topols, they were unable to make any resis
tance, but fell before their opponents, like
ripe corn in the path of the hurrican. This
untoward result took place in no one local
ity--it was no less uniform than it was uni
versal. In the hills and valleys of New
Hampshre-in the prairies Of Iowa, in the
thronged cities of Massachusetts and New
York, and in the rural hamlets of Pennsyl.
vania and Ohio, the almost unanimous voice
of the people has rendered verdict against
the South and her institutions.
Those persons who represent that the vi.
rus of abolition fanaticism is confined to par
ticular classes in certain localities are, there.
fore, most grossly deceived. The plague
has infected the whole body of Northern so.
ciety.
If the South were disconnected with the
North, we might view with Indifference the
rawlings of its lanatcism. Connected in the
close bonds of Federal Union, errors of
opinion at the North are almost as fatal to
our peace and prosperity as errors of opinion
at home. Our laws are based upon opinion,
and the controlling section gives the law to
the rest of the Union. Now we take it that
il a general election were to take place to.
morrow, that the majority in the electoral
college, the majority Of the United States
Senators, and the majority of Representa-
tives in Congress, would be in favor OF re.
stricting slavery. We are protected from
this calamity by those provisions Of the con.
Tour and two years. Very soon, however,
these offices will be vacated, and must be
filled by men representing the popular feel
ing. If we are right in the opinion that the
controlling section of the Union is hostile to
Southern Rights, then it cannot be long be.
fore the power and patronage of the FEEDER
al Government will be welded by our enc.
miles, The threatened danger is imminent
the 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 A large body
of our most intelligent and active fellow -cti-
zens are busiy engaged in forming secret So
cieties to guard the Republic against the in
Auence of foreign born and Catholic fellow
citizens; another large body are denouncing
the Democratic party and its patriotic Presi-
dent, whose chief sin, in the eyes Of our en-
emies, is his too great friendship for the South;
and the balance Of us--what are we doing
to guard our hearthstones from the untold
evils which will flow upon US in the event the
abolitionists get control of the Federal Gov
ernment? Here and there, it is true, a faith.
full watchman sounds the 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 Jerusa-
lem." Until this fatal lethergy is removed
and the Southern people look their danger
in the face, there is no hope for the South.
She is sleeping in the lap Of Deliah while
her enemies are clipping the locks of her
strength. God only knows what her resour.
ces will be when she hears the appalling cry,
the Philistines be upon thee. Samson
FoRc1BLy SA1D.-Mackenzie Of the Kali
da Venture, writes down the following truths
forcibly:
"Know Nothingism is the best exposition
of the practical atheism Of the times. Who,
recognising God in religion, and reality
in the faith of Christ, can conscientiously call
in the aid of secret sworn societies to put
down what they think false religion. If
they believe that true religion is incapable
of sustaining itself without unchristian aid,
they can have little confidence in Christiani-
ty. If they think God needs such aid to
keep his worship pure, they must have but
little belief of his existence. What is wan
ted among religious professors to put down
false religion--we are not disposed to deter
mine which sect is correct and which is not
lis better exempli6cation in their lives OF
their being Christians and not hypocrites, of
their loving God and not Mammon, Of their
practising charity and not hatred, under the
cloak of religious sanctity. What is wanted
is more real and intelligent religion, and then
Christian men would not feel, the need OF
making pitfnl appeals to Know Nothnglsm
or anv other outside influence to keep up
the true Church of God. A church and
religion which is only protected and sustain
ed by such influence is scarcely worth hav-
ing or protesting.
"We trust that the sober sense Of our
relipionists-that the intelligence of those
outside the church--will unite to crush and
put down an order of politicians who require
secrecy as means, and darkness as cover,
and who, while making good professions,
can have no better end than the bad means
they employ"
IRE STRAIT GArE.-The strait gate of
the gospel is wide enough to admit any sin
ner, but too narrow for the admission Of any
sins.