The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1859-07-16
AGITATION,

There exists political dogma which has been
pretty widely disseminated in the Southern Sec
ton of the Union, that any agitation Of the slavery
question here, is dangerous to the perpetuity of
the confederacy, as well as the institution itself
Tuis notion has been received and believed more
from the manner in which it has been, from its
beginning, expressed, than from any intrinsic
truth or merit of its own. What has been as
sumed as automatic in its incipiency is too apt to
Fepel scrutiny, and be allowed as automatic in its
maturity-when years have failed to expose it's
fallacy. &c. in reference to the opinion that the
agitation of the slavery question would be delete
rous to the Southern interest. The dogmatic
manner in which it was originally laid down and
has since been quoted, is all that has prevented
en- expose of its folly and the mischief of Its gen.
eral reception
moments reflection must convince the most
obstinate that the proposition is of error, and
its tendencies unhealthy to goodmora and sound
politics. II it is believed that an institution is
good, moral, and wholesome to the country, it
must also be believed that that institution will
gument from the aspersons of all opposing voices.
It is certainly presumable that this ground is
occuI led by the advocates of slavery-otherwise
slavery had best be abolished. Then why such
an cutlery against those who choose frequently to
refer to the question: to combat the enemies of the
institution, and shew the deleterious or fatal in
huence of certain measures on its advancement ?
There can possibly be no harm in upholding a
good thing at any and all times, and in decrying
whatever may tend to its injury Agitation is the
very soul of all advancement, and has not only
developed all the knowledge which now exists on
every question in science, ethics or politics, but
must continue, or that knowledge so far from
improving, must necessarily retrograde from its
present perfection. Agitation compels thought
and study, which shew the strong points and the
defects in the bases of all creeds and all opinions
1t has overthrow the old and everywhere preva-
lent error that slavery moral and political evil
and has evolved all the beauties, all the benefits
and all the philanthropy Of the institution Then
let ii be kept up. rs salvation to the South,
and silence, if it ever does reign, before those
DN"ShNo lhtse are ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
must reign over the destruction of slavery and
the impotence of this section
There was no necessity of agitation before
slavery was attacked. So long as the South was
permitted to enjoy in peace the rights bestowed
upon her by the constitution, there was no abso-
lutte need of disturbing the peace which the coun-
try had the happiness to experience. Slavery is
fully recognized by that great instrument, and its
expansion is not fettered But foes sprang up
and agitation was begun by the enemies of the
institution Let those who do not believe in its
efficacy, observe for moment the impulse which |
agitation gave even to abolitonism The advo-
Gates Of abolition, the wrong side of the question
first began agitation in this eountry, and began
it at time when all parties accorded in the error
that slavery was moral and political evil, and
the sole objection made by the South 10 the course
Of abolitionists, was, that the institution they
abused was necessary eOa. But this agitation.
begun at the North, quickly swelled the ranks of
the anti-slavery army of fanatics. 1t also, how
ever, land it is an i-wind that blows ao5ody any
good,) turned the attention of Southern men to
the subject, and unfolded to their view all the
excellence of the institution and caused them to
defend it on the ground that it is right per Sc.
humane, foreordained, and of vast benefit to the
power and respectfully of this country, and the
happiness and civilization of mankind Our ar
guments became so strong as to be incontroverti-
BILE by fair opposition, and drove the Free Soil
party to the platform of higher law than the
Constitution, on anti-slavery Bible, and an anti.
slavery God. Here the abotionists stand and here
they will stick and continue their efforts to effect
the overthrow Of the institution which has excited
their antipathy. Meantime, they have become
a respectable party, in numbers at least, and as
party, are not to be passed with mere smile of
dersion and contempt They number fifteen hun
tired thousand 0otes, came very success in one
campaign, and may be uictorious in
mother, with the assistance of their Southern {
brethren, the oppositi0nists. 1t is high time we
we're carrying the war into their borders. Let
The slavery question be agitatsd throughout the S
county. They should be pressed TO the teeth s
upon the point that they shall not fctter the in
and thereby violate the incontestibe ID
lights of the Southern States 1t is high time
hey were given fally;andtaly with emphasis, to '
that whatever their opinions may be- {
hey nnust and shall be inactive and cease their
var upon slavery. q
Let us court that agitation, which has created. }
IS if out Of stocks and stones millions of men to !
oppose slavery, for the purpose of arousing the !
south to sense Of her danger Let her stretch
ortiz her arm of power and wipe off the puppets y
whom she has idly permitted to impede her pro
;ress and infringe her rights. Let her take her !
tand upon the morality of her dearest institution,
md proclaim expansion unrestricted her perfect :
lights, the full and entire recognition of slavery,
he equality of that property, or instantaneous i
eparaton. Naught is needed but the thunder. ;
lap of her undivided voice, to annihilate her foes
md plunge abolitonism to an eternal home in that a
co Of corruption from which it sprung.
GEN, RICHARD WINTER.-This gentle t
nan has declared himself candidate for
he Legislature in Madison countv and savs