The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-06-27
The Great Issue.


volved, render it necessary to address the
people, North and South, in the spirit OF
honesty and boldncss. We contend that
nothing but simple misunderstanding be-
tween the two sectionsis the cause Of our
present difficulties, and this explained, Mas
sachusetts and South Carolina can stand
upon the same platform. Butthe real is
sues must be met with sincerity, honesty
and couragesA and like all dangers, looked
boldly and manfully in the face We arc
rapidly approaching crisis, the greatest cri.
sis i'll our history or in the history of free
institutions. Tho schemes of Europcan
monarchists, begun half a century ago to
undermine ard destroy our republican sys-
tenn, arc now about to be tested, to be ex-
posed and exploded, or TO break up the I'm,
ion, and with it the last hope Of republican
freedom.
We are no alarmists or union savers. We
have profound respect for the popular in
telligence, and an uudoubting faith in the
virtue and patriotism of the masses, and
on all questions where all alike have the
same Opportunity to inform themselves,
we would not presume to enlighten or
to guide others. But on the great
sectional question Of negro slavery, when
more than half Of the people are ignorant,
necessarily ignorant of the real facts involv-
cd, we feel not only authorized, but impera-
lively impelcd, to lay these facts before
them. There are upwards Of a hundred
newspapers Mt the North engaged in the
sole, undivided and infamous effort to de-
baucll the instincts and reason of the peo-
pie, and lead them into crusade against
the institutions, the peace, tho safety, the
Very existence Of their brethren Of the
Soutl-to "abolisil" the natural relations of
races, and oblitcrating the distinctions Of the
Almighty, degrade the twenty millions of
white citizens to a hideous and cternally for
bidden level with three millions of suLordi-
date negroes.
Then there are eight hundred more that
propose the same end indirecty--to limit
"slavery"-to pensup the population Of the
South-to surround it with cord of 'frce
ncgrosln," and in concert with their brit
ist allies and the monarchists' of Europe.
force by an outside pressure, the "aboliton''
OF "slavery"-the equality, of whites and
bIacks-the destruction of Southern society,
and from inevitable necessity, dragging
down with it the Democratic institutions Of
the North.
Now, it is most wonderful and lament
able fact that though there are many patri-
otto and well-meaning presses at the North,
there is not one Except this paper) that de-
fcnds Southern society. Although we have
existed seventy yearsson the present basis
and relation Of races-though we have been
attended with n success hitherto unknown
in history though the twenty millions Of
white men Of this republic are more virtu-
ous, Intelligent and happy than any other
twenty millions of their, race-thougll the
three millions Of inferiorffegnoes are Infinite
V and inexpressible better off and happier
thnn any other portion Of their race, and
though every man who thinks consecutively
for five minutes cannot avoid Knowing that
to change these relations, and force these
negroes up or ourselves down to common
level, no matter how ita~as done, must be
and would%be an utter destruction to all
conference.-the the negro as we'll as our.
selves !; yet, wonderful indeed, ,tl,ere is NOT a,
single press in tho whole North that openly
and directly avoWs this condition of things
to be right or defendsit, except as a tempo,
rary. accidental or perhaps an unavoidable
''eViin But We have reached period in
our progress when the curtain must be
drawn aside afd,trnth spoked--when "slave-
ry" must be understood and the true rela-
tiops Of ,the'races explained TO the North
:ern peopie-when the lies and imposturcs
iI,Iopagated by the tools. Of British aristo-
Gratis must be- e2HSa@ and exploded, and
ye orod y6n ;/,,, a. :yii.;s a.