Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-01
CHESTER CORRESPONDENCE.

Should you consider me overruuning the privi-
lege you granted, to give your readers an occa-
sonal glance at things in general about here, and
the Chester market in particular, by giving them
few of my political sentiments, all you have to
do is to give me hint to that effect, and "num's
the word" Should be on forbidden ground,
as the fly said to the mustard cup, 81 am off,"
I have noticed that very few of your correspon-
dents touch upon politics at all and have some
how come to the conclusion, that communications
upon other subjects are preferred But just now,
it seems to me- that an article upon 'the signs of
the times" upon the political horizon, would not
be Objectionable.
The most exciting and interesting event in po-
litical matters which has occurred for some time,
is the outbreak which has lately taken place at
Harper's Ferry. This, in itself, is small matter,
nor do believe that all the Ossawattomie Browns
in existence, can ever do much in the way of ex-
citing to servie insurrection, the slaves Of the
South; nor do I suppose for moment, that a
similar attempt will be made soon. But he that
ing over of the public sentiment Of large ma
ority of the free States, is hopelessly blind. 1t
has been plain for years, that the enemies to the
existence of slavery in our government, were in
creasing daily. Every question which has touch
ed upon the subject in Congress, has by some
trick or other, been turned against US. From the
time that Henry A. Wise, of Virginia, stood up
so manfully against the introduction of abolition
petitions, into the House, to this day. every
question relative to slavery has, by some compro-
mise, weakened the South.
When the California swindle took place, and
the doctrine of the Wilmot proviso was sweetened
and slipped down our throats, we were told
that all was well, and the thing was settled-no
more agitation 10 be allowed. When the Fugitive
Slave Law was passed, we were told all was safe.
But all this time, what was going on in the free
States One after another were enacting laws
multiplying these acts of Congress, when nominal
ly for our benefit. All this time, negroes were
being stolen and run off, and hut precious few
were ever sent back and States were violating
the constitution by enactments to prevent the re-
covery of our property.
All this has been going on, and hundreds of
other evidences, plainly showing what was brew
ing, and our own Representatives telling US all
was right! When the people thought that "for-
bearance had ceased to be a virtue" they came
out and made preparations to break loose from o
government they had no hope of continuing in,
with safety. But what was the result? Out came
our political leaders and asprants, and cried out
to hold on for the cooperation of the other States
equally interested. They proclaimed that they
were all for resistance, but that we must wait a
while, and oil will pull together.
Now this was a trick, and those who put it in
motion knew it. They knew the people were
right, and that they dared not come out maufully
and say, 'you must submit to all this and more !''
These political leaders and aspirants knew that
they could not quell the virtuous indignation
which had been aroused, by telling them that you
must submit, not only to the California swindle,
but that you must not expect another slave State
to be admitted into the Union. No--you were
told that we are going to resist but wait until
Georgia, Virginia and Mississippi, &c., would fall
in, which would soon be the case.
The counsel of the then cooperation party pre-
vailed. We heard again that all was settled, and
no more agitation was ever to be heard But
very soon came on the Kansas war, when it was
said that we had right to settle and bring into
the government slave States from the new Terri
tories. Then was a scramble made by North and
South, as to who should get the constitution; and