Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-10-27
Comments OF the Press.

The New York Express writing before the a.
gency Of Aboltionism in the affair was certain,
says:
In commenting upon this startling demonstra-
ton of practical negro ism" we are not disposed,
in the light only of our present information, to 90
beyond the simple facts Of the case as the tele-
graph gives them. Still less are we disposed to
indulge in any exclamation of surprise or aston
ishment that such an out break should have hap
pened because, if it turns out that "Abolition-
ism" is really at the bottom of it, the whole af-
fair fbloodshed, murder, punder, terror, and all,
can only be looked upon as the handiwork Of q
certain class of men among US who follow Aboli-
ries upon reduced to practice, have their logical
results in just such "irrepressible conflicts"
The Philadelphia Bulletin, in its commentary,
says:
It can do no good to the cause Of freedom, and
may irritate the slaveholding States beyond any
thing yet known. IF there were any sensible and
practicable purpose in the rising there might be
some excuse for it. But it seems to have been
either mere riot, having for its purpose robbery
and plunder, or an insane attempt at overturning
the slave laws of Virginia and Maryland. The
insurgents consist of few hundred ignorant ne
groes and white men, led by persons who have
never before been heard of as either politicians,
soldiers, patriots, or philanthropists. In some
way or other they have poinsoned the minds Of
their followers and led them to believe that they
could either revolutionize the Southern States, or
could enrich themselves by plundering the Gov
ernment establishments at Harper's Ferry. The
utter folly of the adventure is shown by the fact
that within about thirty hours after the first out
break, the insurgents have been defeated in all
their strongholds, the leaders have been shot or
captured and arrangements are already in pro-
gress for the punishment Of the offenders.
The Alexandria (Va.) Sentinel says:
The outrage which has just been enacted at
Harper's Ferry, the South will feel most deeply.
Is it possible-her citizens will asks it posi-
BILE that the animosity of the North against US has
reached such degree Of all consuming hate as to
drive any of her citizens upon such efforts, and
make them blind, not only to its vile wickedness,
but to its utter folly? 1t is, indeed, most pain
full and startling illustration of that fanaticism
which Mr.. Seward has evoked and harnessed to
his chariot, and drives on in 'irrepressible con-
fict"
From an article in the Gazette, Of the same
city, written before the iusurrection was quelled,
We take the following:
But after it is quelled, and the guilty parties
are fairly before the civil tribunals, we expect to
see stern Justice meted out to all concerned in
bringing about, or acting in, this outrage upon
law, this rebellion and treason, this great crime
against the laws Of the country and the rights of
our peaceable citizens.
The AboRionists at the Insurrection at Harpers $
Rsrry-The New York papers are puzzled to
know what to make of the iusurrection at Har-
per's Ferry, The Herald refers to an extract Of
one of Gerritt Smiths letters, written few weeks
ago, which is interesting in view of the fact that
the "philanthropist" sent letter containing $40
to Ossowattamie Brown. 1t says:
We recoect very significant passage in one
of Gerritt Smiths letters, published month or
two ago, in which he speaks Of the folly Of at
tempting to strike the shackles off the slaves by
the force of moral suasion or legal agitation and
predicts that the next movement made in the dl-
rection Of negro emancipation would be an insur-
rection in the South. Is this the first act in the
programme and are those white Abolitionists
spoken Of in our dispatches emissaries OF the
peaceful Gerritt? If not is the insurrection part
Of that "irrepressible conflict" which is so dear
to the heart Of William H. Seward and is it in
tended to effect the next Presidential contest?
The Philadelphia North american, an opposi-
ticn journal says:
For the negroes who were misled into believing
that BY such proceeding, they could achieve
their freedom, we have no sentiment but pity
but for the wretched fanatics who got up tne
scheme, no punishment would be too severe.