Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-22
Selett af(ist&llang.
From the Edgefeld Informcr.
THE SOUTHERN PARTIES,

THE SOUTHERN PARTIES.
The present crisis in federal affairs is one
of unprecedented moment to the South and
her institutions. The recent struggle in the
House of Representatives for Speaker, and
the triumph of the black republicans of the
North, and the still more violent struggle now
going on in Kansas between the opposing
sections, have precipitated upon the country
the dire issue which the wisdom of years Ia
bored to prevent. By systematic course of
Legislation, and regular rules of pleading,
the issue is made up, and before the tribunal
of justice, God, and the Constitution, stand
arrayed for the mighty contest, pro-slavery
and abolition 1t is unnecessary now to trace
the progress of this war of fanaticism, on the
one hand, or the vain efforts at resistance on
the other 1t is enough to know that the e.
vii is upon us, and that We must choose the
alternative, resistance or political annihila-
ton. The North has already marshalled
her forces, and all her factions, creeds and
parties, with the exception of small Spar
tan band of patriots, are swallowed up in
the wild fury of Abolition fanaticism. Her
Democracy, her Whiggery, her Know Moth
ingism, her Republicanism, and her fac
tions of whatever name, shade or color, have
fused and merged into the black fetid whirl-
pool of isms that are prostituting the cousti-
tuition and menacing the rights of the South.
Patriots have fought in vain for the Con-
stitution and the Union in their primal pu-
rity !; in vain have they appealed to that sa-
cred instrument and the "glorious Union"
for the preservation of the blessings they
have bestowed upon the human family and
in vain they have invoked national patriot
ism from the sweeping torrent of the infuri-
ated demon of the North and at last they
see the holiness of their cause impaled with
the blackness of night, their chart Of liberty
dismantled of its fair proportions, and the
Union in the convulsions of dissolution. We
are no disunionists per- Sc, nor do we believe
the time has yet come for such a calamity;
but the time has come for the South to act,
to act in defence of the constitution, the
Union and her rights. But she is divided
in her own household, and how can she act?
She cannot hope for success by a party
movement; neither can opposing factions
counsel together with safety without first Wi
ping out past differences, and harmonizing
bygone feuds. Here then the vital question
presents itself to the two contending parties
in the South. Will they, for the sake of the
South and her institutions, the Constitution
and the Union, lay aside their former quar-
rels, and, sacrificing their feuds upon the
altar of patriotism, meet upon common ba-
sis, and join hands, hearts and souls, in a
common cause? or will they persist, in dis
tracted counsels, to war against each other
on mere distractions, and factious nonsense
1t is grave question, and upon its solution
depends the political equality, of the South,
and the destiny of her peculiar institution.
We should not under estimate our enemy ;
he is formidable in the extreme in point Of
treasure and numerical strength be is our
superior; and it is idle to say he is not our
equal in prowess and accumen, and with all,
he is o unit in action. How important is it
then that We should be united without uni.
ty, harmony and concert OF action We can
accomplish nothing but our own destruction;
with it the evil may be averted, and the Con.
stitution may triumph. We know not how
others may feel disposed to act in the prem
ises, but for ourself, though our judgment
leads into the doctrine that "Americans shall
rule America" we would willingly forego
these questions of time, or sacrifice them al
together for the purpose of uniting the South
upon the great issue of domestic slavery
In Southern convention the democratic
party would doubtless carry the majority,
and while patriotism would call upon the
American party to fuse with the dominant
party, there could be no necessity for sur
render of the great principles Of American
ism. In fact unless the democratic par
ty, proper, has ceased to exist, and in
stead thereof has sprung up Know Nothing
ism as party, we can see no reason why a
democrat may not hold the American doc
trinc; we were born and raised Carolina
democrat of the deepest dye, nor have we
ever knowingly for moment departed from
the faith and yet We hold these views to be
the true American doctrine: First, that
"Americans shall rule America" Second,
that the term of naturalization be extended
to twenty-one years; that no man should be
elected or appointed to any office in the gift
of the American people. who acknowledges
the slightest obligation of allegiance either
temporal or spiritual to any foreign power,
prince or potentate, paramount to his allegi-
ance either temporal or spiritual to any for
eign power, prince or potentate, paramount
to his allegiance to the Constitution of the
United States, and fourth, that we should
prohibit the introduction Of paupers upon
our shores from the prisons and alms-houses
of Europe. We add this to our democratic
faith and find harmony and consistency. AL
ready we see disposition manifested on the
part of the leading members of the Ameri-
can party South to bring about disunion; /;
but a few days ago the entire delegation in
Congress, with the exception of two, cast
their votes for VIM. Aiken, of South Caro-
lima, for the Speakership, and this was upon
an issue between slavery and Abolitionism.
In the Georgia Legislature, Judge Cone, a
prominent Know Nothing, has taken sim
liar step, and the whole party South are rea-
DIV to do honor to Mr.. Pierce for the views