Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-12-14
The Crisis.

most critical period OF our national existence
is sssuredly developing tsclf at this time. The
question of disunion is staring US all in the face,
and we cannot turn from its consideration if we
would. Neither should We do so if we could. As
much ns that event is to be deprecated, it is not
for American freemen to regard the contamination
as some terrific raw-head- and -bloody-h,nes that
cannot he approached, tina; r"::s De dared. To
preserve our liberties and maintain our equal
rights, any thing and every thing should be dared,
short of impiety towards Heaven. But disunion
is not now the dreaded monster of iniquity it has
been held to be in days past. While many at the
South would still avoid it if consonant with jus-
tce to ourselves, yet none now shrink back from it
as from work little short of sacrilege. Thous-
ands have been accustoming themselves for years
to view the possibility aye, the probability of its
occurrence. And recent events have awakened the
universal Southern mind to the startling but not
altogetherunwelcomec conviction thatth threatened
danger is in deed and in truth at our very DOORS
The hand of the Almighty has been seen, aa it
were, in every chapter of the short history of
these United States. From the infinite resources
of His unerring wisdom, He has brought to light,
by this chosen instrumentality, the most glorious
instance Of free government ever known to man.
To do this, He cnrricda weak people triumphantly
through the most psrilous struggle on record, and
planted them among the nations by His own irre-
sstible decree. Sanctioned by His favor and en-
nobed by the purest libatiOns Of blood ever poured
ont in any cause, the new government became
powerful at once, and now stands unsurpassed on
earth in all the elements of wealth and greatness.
That same Providence is yet at work in our coun-
try "to will and to do of His own good pleasure"
The principle of self government has been illus
tratcd to mankind. But thero are certain great
truths in the social fabric that await the seal of
Iispower Among these, the institution Of African
slavery at the South ranks first, and is to be first
decided. off God be for US who can be against
us"-and that His appreciation attends the South,
who can doubt when he reviews the unparalleled
history of Southern development, when he looks
out upon the marvellous afluence and power Of
our section, when he examines the beautiful sym
metry of our social organization, and marks the
elevated religious sentiment which characterzes
our population. IF any man can find room for
mi,givng in view Of these pre-eminent indications
of Divine favor, lot him so and see the blighting
curse which has followed British legislation in the
West Indies let hin note the odious social errors
which are daily raising their Hydra hoads in the
anti.slavcry portion Of this Onion; let him con-
slider the judicial blindness ut this moment hur-
rying Northern fanatics to q revolution which
must result in their ignominious discontinue; and
| then let him turn his face southwark and behold q
great and good people csmcnting their common
ties and standing ready to pledge their lives, their
fortunes and their sacred honor to the defence OF
n system, an agriculture and an institution, pccu-
larly their OWN, and peculiarly blessed of Heaven
to the good of mankind Tho hand Of God is
with Id Of the South now, as palpably as it was
days of the American Revolution. To think other
wise, is arrant infdelity. Neither may we doubt,
that the preservation Of the South, thus endowed,
thus instituted thus blessed will prove paramount
to the preservation Of the existing Republic in the
ordering of His inscrutabe will.
These reflections are suggested by tho present
seemingly near approach of an actual dissolution
of the American Confederacy. We do not say
that this event may not be avoided by timely re-
turn 10 reason and juatice on the part Of our
Northern confedcrates. But tho danger is immi-
mont; and what IS done to avert it, must be done
quickly. The recent daring outbreak of fanati-
cisln at Harper's Ferry has aroused the Southern
people at once to full sense of porils thoy have
heretofore either discredited or laughed to scorn.
The fanatic traitor, BROWN, is far from being the
"hend and front of this offending" For him and
bis miserable tools, the South has naught but d
feeling of contempt and losthing. 1t is his back
ground accompliees, the moral (?) aiders and abet
tors of his yillainy, the sympathrers with him in
his merited fnte Of the gnllows tho fosterers of the
vaunted irrepressible conflict, who have enkindled
the indignation Of the southern masses. These
are the men who have shocked the conservatism
of the South and well nigh done away with all
remaining attachment to this Union that yet
burned on amongst us. Aud unless the antidote
come speedily and directly, the feeling of enmity
that has been engendered will find no appeasing
except in IL separation Of the two cOntrarent Sec
tions If these latter signs of tho times be not
utterly deceptive, it is al event to be desired by
both North ani Soutli,-ccrtninly 20 by the South.
She knows and feels her strength, politically, So
ciully, commercially, and rsliyions'y. She has
fUrcburne 10 use it, with magnanimity that has
no parallel in history. Neither justice nor pa
rioti.m requires that she furbear lungcr. unless :.
change of Northern sentiment and policy be shown
ly the Presidential election of the coming year.
II no such change shall he evidenced by that re-
suit, but if on the contrary the reverse shall he
made clear, then let the South 80 forth under
Heaven to the fulimcut of her own appointed
destiny.