Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-07-02
SOUTHERN hLARMIsTs.


the Edpefeld Advertiser with these remarks:
"Many Of our contemporaries havegot so much in
the habit of abusing the Federal Government that
I they cannot now abandon it. 1t is the force OF
habit and we suppose they will have to be indulg-
ped. They are always in OIL alarming mood, and
imagine that they are true sentinels because for
| sooth, they sound the alarm at every heeting
| cloud shadow, as though it were the solid pha-
lanx of an approaching enemy. Next to the senti-
mel who sleeps on duty is he who is constantly at
tempting to arouse the garrison unnecessarily.
They may imagine that they are keeping up the
appearance of great vigilance, but surely the dis
: regard they meet with ought to convince them to
the contrary. South Carolina is now in line with
the rest, of the Southern States; she has rallied
under the same Democratic banners with them;
!, together with them she has triumphed over Black
Republicanism at the North, and Americanism at
the South-(the potent cause no doubt Of some Of
!. the complaints made against her Cincinnati Con-
vention policy by many of the-quondam Philadek
phia Conyentionsts) y; she has abiding confidence
in their patriotism and devotion to interests with
which they are identified, and with them she will
sink or swim in struggle for constitutional rights. "
To many who aided in placing South Carolina
sin line with the restof the Southern States" by
adopting the Cincinnati Convention policy, it may
appear strange that they are supposed by that
act to have precluded themselves from oil right to
discuss topics of vital interest to the South. 1t
was one of the inducements to adopt the new poll
cy, that it put us in a line with the remaining
Southern States, not to sleep, assuredly, but to
act. We were to let the "Past bury its dcad," but
standing on the same platform, we were told that
we could more efficiently take measures for the
protection of our rights and our institutions. Ger
tainly it was never expected that the South could
per Sc, protect her Constitutional rights however,
harmoniously she should act. There were con-
fessedly only two chances Of escape open to her
the aid of the Democracy, or the formation of a
Southern Confederacy 1t is still undecided which
of these remedies are to work out her salvation
We are trying the f,st but it is presumipg too
much, to say, that as yet its success has been es
tablished. We are willing to give the experiment
o fair trial, though we scarcely hope for favor
able result. But still there is nothing deserving
of censure in those Journals which, thinking the
passing events Of the day forbode evil to the Souh
openly state their fears. This is the part of hon
estyaud patriotism, and we would also add, of
wisdom. That their warning is disregarded may
be attributed as reasonably to the stupidity or in
dolence of their hearers as to the want Of grounds
for the alarm. Another lesson can be drawn from
the figure of the sentinel. When his cry is disre-
garded, and the whole army sleeps supinely, or
soaces itself with the hope that the alarm is false
does it not augur badly for its bravery and promp
titude! But let US not deceive ourselves with
specious metaphors. There is n ''solid phalanx"
of real enemies, not mere cloud-shadows, ap-
preaching our liles. The wisest Of our statesmen
have warned US of tbs fact and admonished US to
be ever on the watch, for that enemy would never
pause. And yet we are gravely asked if it is wise
to keep our eyes on such sleeplcss foe? We are
told that the cry of danger is the effect of habit
It is empbatcally stated, that the position of the
South in the confederacy, is more favorable than
it has been for many years. There was time
when the South had some hopes of spreading her
institutions, but that period has passed. and even
while we write, does not the most sanguine trcn,-
BILE for Kansas Let that become free State and
what will be the next step? Who will answer?
If Kansas be lost ore we still to rely on the DEM
ocratic party; or considering it fOreshadowing
of the s'manifest destiny. of the South, give up
all as lost? We are acting at present with the
south-do we understand by that expression, that
we are to suggest no remedy, to point out no
course of policy, to resent no infringement on our
rights, until the rest of the South has taken the
initiative? Surely not; we form o part Of the
South, and have an equal right to share in her
deliberations. If We can trust the other Southern
States, because our interests are identified, they
should certainly repose confidence in US for the
same reason. And unless Southern papers speak
out how are we to know the sentiment of the
Southern people? The prominent organs of the
"Alarmists' the New Orleans Delta, the
Mercury and the Richmond South, yet it is well
known that these papers reflect the ablest and
maturest craftsmanship in the entire country
We had supposed the attitude of these papers, to-
pether with that of other influential organs, was
Indicative of reaction in public sentiment. We
must still think there is large party at the South
who are convinced, more thoroughly now than ever,
of the utter nefciency of all half-measures to Sc
cure to US peace and equality. The time for &C.
ton may not yet have arrived, but the time for
knowing fully our condition and our danger is
ever present. We wish the South to actupon the
calm deductions of reason and not in moment OF
spasmodic frenzy. And now more properly than
at any other time, can we mark the characterls'
tics of the aggrsssions on the South and discuss