Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-06
SOUTH CAROLINA AND TIE UNION.


We admire the State pride and lofty dsinterested'
ness of South Carolinians. The character and con-
don of her people affords ample proof that Southern
institutions do not operats nuriousy on the physical
comfort, the morals, or intelligence of society With
so much that is valuable and desirable to preserve
we do not wonder that che is highly conservative IN
feeling, probably 80 than any State IN the Union.
We concur with her that it would be treasonable
and profane to initiate, at the South, the restless
spirit Of change and innovation exhibited by the now
dominant party at the North. But We widely differ
with her as to the best of stemming this in
coming tide Of innovation. Political disunion would
not bring about intellectual disunion. Public opinion
fabricated in Western Europe for that is the centre
OF thought and fashion for Christendom. Thence it
finds its way through our North to the South. The
current of thought thus setting in upon u.s. will be
sure to subvert our institutions, unless check
its advances by originating counter at the
South There will be NO long truce, or drawn battle,
between institutions so opposite in their morals, their
tendencies and their influences, as and those OF
Western Europe and the North. We are essentially
one people having similar wants, religion, thoughts
and interests, and controlled by one public opinion,
however different our existing POLITICAL institutions.
Social forms so widely differing as those OF domes-
tic slavery, and attempted universal liberty, cannot
long co.exs, in the Great Republic Of Chrstendom.
They cannot be equally adapted to the wants and
interests Of society The one form or the other, must
be very wrong, very i'll suited, to promote the quiet,
the peace, the happiness. the morality, the religion
and general webeing Of the community. Disunion
will not say excitement and investigation,-much
l,SS ho,, astin Tha hutlr ha ~
systems RACES every where and will continue to rage
TIL the conquers and the other is e1,ermnated.-
If with dsunou, We could have the all and end all
there the Inducements would be- strong to attempt it,
But such measure would but inspire European
and American sdversaries with additional ZEAL aud
make them turn deafer ear to the thousand argu-
rnents and facts, which We adduce to show that
the evils of system, less than those OF theirs.
The time is emuently proptious for adducipg those
facts aud arguments, and the South is "about it,
Our adversaries delight in sociological discussions
for they are bold and rash experimentors, sangune
optnists and perfectonists who admit that they have
yet found the right form of society and eager
to listen to the suggestions Of all who propose show
g new road to Utopia. Let US take the census of
crime and Of poverty and Of food, of the South and
| Of the North and Of Western Europe in one hand,
and in the other the history of the famnes the riots
the revolutions, the in6dees, the superstitions the
immoralities, the agrariansms, and the universal an
archcal upheaying of free society. Let US compare
the evils of the two forms of society as exhibited in
universal history. Let us weigh the authorities de.
rived from the usages of mankind in favor of The one
or the other aud finally let US appeal to the Bible
in our defence. Within the last two years only has
he Som
lug with the subject. 1t has thrown down the guaee
to the North, and the North will not take it up. The
North still continues to denouuce slavery, but will
not mec. the issue, (Which form of society has boon
attended with most OF good aud least of evi"
South Carolina we think should take higher ground.
Stay in the Union, and endeavor to control its policy.
The discussion of the relative merits Of the opposing
syseuls, will beget fair and honorable rivalry that
may lead to much good. We do not hope, nor wish,
e f see slavery S like -. ours nrolueed at the North
10 see white men made slaves. But we do hope, and
.xrect, and believe, that conservative men every
,.aere aro about to adopt the pruciple that men
should be governed not Let Alone" and that each
one should be governed according to his wants, and
moral and intellectual capacity. This Is the prlnci-
ple and is the only one that save society from
general decentralization and dissolution. How clearly
and promptly does Carlyle pourtray in his Latter Day
Pamphlets this Fastening Of socety into the gulf OF
chaotic anarchy! The opposite principle is that Of
La,se= aire, or political economy which ia usherng
in Mvrmopism, Free Love- aud all the other vile isms
of the day. Every man at the North who values the
right to private property the purity of the marriage
te or the sacreduess Of religion, must and vi" unite
with u.s. Conserv atism there sees thIs and Is already
uniting with US. Disunion is low, NEUTRAL halfway
ground and becomes not the chvalry OF South Caro-
lima. She, who was first and noblest at Molino del
Rev and the city Of Mexico should bear the foremost
banner in these civil turmoils-not stay mopug and
fretting in the tent. Let death or victory oe her
watchword, for death or victory 1t must come TO-