Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-12-28
Correspon0enr. o.


1RkENcAsrLE, Dec. l4th, 1906.
Mn. EDrroR:-lt is an easy matter
to laugh at danger; but il is not al |
ways wise. To be TOO fearful IL an
evidence OF weakness-it is unmanly.
To be utterly regardless OF danger. is
the opposite extreme, and is often a
mark Of downright fool-hardiness.- -
1t has always been considered mark |
OF wisdom to be mindful of danger, |
where there is possibility of harm
nor can any one on that account be
jastly charged with want of cour. |
age. There have been periods, as |
before said, when dark clouds gathered
over our nation. portentous Of terri
bic storm. AT some such times the
brayest and truest patriots turned
pale, and expressed 10 one another
their apprehensions OF danger. Atl
the same time others Knocked at the
idea of a storm. And though the ma
tion has logged on without any serious
harm. no sensible man pretends to
treat lightly the fears of those who be.
lieved there was danger nigh, nor to
give credit to those who laughed. for
superior sagacily and courage. In.
deed IL is much more than probable
that our safety is attributed mainly 10
the prudent fears of wise and honest
patriots, who, standing at the helm,
took the precautions necessary 10 keep
the ship of State from sinking. 4
would much rather and so would you.
Mr.. Editor. J trust myself to vessel
whose men are always on the lookout
for danger. than TO one whose com.
manders laugh at and despise danger
in any storm. There is danger now,
aud il no evidence either Of wisdom
or patriotism. but the contrary to shut
our eyes TO il.
You ask. "Who ever thought of
turning loose the colored population Of
the South, or Of meddling with the
institution where il exists" Really
this question. coming from an editor.
surprises me. IL is enough TO make
one rub his eyes, and ask himself
il he has not been dreaming. Who
thinks Of turning loose the slaves, or
Of meddling with the institution in the
SOUTH Why the whole horde OF Alb.
clifton agitatiors from Maine to Ne.
braska. Do they not constantly de-
nounce oil slaye.holders, without re-.
gard 10 circumstances. as men stealers.
as the voluntary upholders Of the sum
OF all yillanies. and therefore as the
worst of villains Do they not do
clare that the only way that slave
holders can free themselves from the
worst Of crimes is to turn loose their
slaves at once? ? Are they not "med.
ding" with il to the utmost Of their
power, or. NJ least. rs far as their safe.
| iy will allow? Have they not comb.
nations all over the country. for the
purpose OF running off the Slaves Of
the South; and is It not apparent that
they would meddle much farther il
they dare do it.
Do you suppose, sir. that II is only
because of efforts TO extend Slavery
over free territory that this queastio
perata is agitatated so much That
/ the effort to extend Slavery has in
creased the agitation. doubt not; but
il the whole South should declare to-
day, their determination 20 give up
this contest and never make another
effort for that purpose, | have no
doubt that Northern Abolilionists
would be just rs fierce in their denun-
Citations Of all slave holders, and jus'
as much disposed to meddle with the
"institution" ms they are now. What
means all the excitement on that sub
iect in churches Of the land I? What
means all the cry everywhere for q
Gill to exclude all slave. holders from
the church OF God There is a feel
ing OF bitter hatred towards the peo
Pile Of tie South. which has been in
creasing and spreading for years. and
which has caused u like bitter feeling
: in the South toward the North; anc
here is where our danger lies. Thil
feeling cannot continue 10 exist ant
spread with safety to our Union. No
sir, il Is a deadly virus which IL 10 con
iinuc to spread will ere long reach tn,
vitals Of the body polite. and produc,
inevitable death. firmly believe tina
: the mere question Of the extension O
Slave territory would cause but it'll,
danger, no matter how IL might b.
contested. II the North had said :,
the South from the beginning. "W,
{. will not meddle with the institution
where ii exists; we only contend tina
the territory north Of the Missouri
Compromise line shall remain free,
there would have been but little d, a
ger, though the ground would has'
been warmly contended. Men in th'
South contend as warmly for tha
!, Compromise line as any in the North
] and hence that controversy could no
have caused SO much bitter hatred be
tween the two sections OF the country
Apart from any such cause Of dispute
Southern men are denounced as sc
:, of vilIaincus men stealers; efforts hay'
= been made to run off their slaves. ant
10 stir up insurrection among them
In the South, Northern men have beef
mobbed. imprisoned and hung. ans
the result is that Northern men ant
Southern men are regarding each 9th
> er as bitter foes and to look on eacl
, other with jealousy and distrust. Po
! litical contests will be now, If / do no
/, misread the signs of the times. chang
ed into sectional conflicts, the Norll
against the South, and the Soutl
against the North. And remember
; that wiser than either Of US has said
IA house fora nation divided agains
> itself cannot stand"
/ intended in this letter to conside
. the question. "Whatshould be done p
: but your calling me nervous old maj
rather got my ''dander up" and | fins
that have filed my sheet. Dec vo
' lente. you will hear from me again.
' ~ ! BETA
s Sl0ur narvovo old friend 40 raali,