Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-11
A New Era.
From the Charleston Courier.


ST is time for action. not for words" was our
remark in relation to the memorable event of the
9th November, 1860, which determined the failure
of the great American experiment of Federal self
government and compelled South Carolina to con-
slider and arrange new political relationship.
The action has commenced. and some of its sig
nifcant beginnings are recorded in another place.
The time and the emergency demand calmness and
coolness dignity and determination, and such quail
ties we believe will be found equal to- increasing
with the calls of the day or the hour
In the opening proceedings and the organization
of the Legislative Sovereignty of South Carolina,
as now represented in the Capital hail the ndi-
cation Of unanimity, honesty fidelity and devotion
TO the State. which should mark the demeanOr of
all officially charged with our destiny and fortunes
1t this iuncture. Let the General Assembly go on
in this way firmly but not rashly, consulting prin-
ciple not impulse party feeling and deferring TO
the advise. wish, action of other States and Sow
ereignties, who share our position and duty so far
as may be done without sacrifice of essential and
vital honor.
They who have ignorantly OF wantonly charged
South Carolina with vain desire for the place and
post Of leader in the great work of reconstruction
and reimbursement of Federal relations external
relations have erred as widely from the truth as
those who derisively proclaimed that she could and
would undertake or dare no resistance of any kind
TO any aggressions or under any provOcatiOns. If
the index of the dial plate Of Providence points TO
South Carolina the leader selected by the nRtuI al
and issue OF events, she cannot ana VIII NOT
shrk that position, be it one Of honor or only Of
inevitable danger. 1t is enough for her that is one
of duty.
When the canuonading opened on the Palmetto
Fort on Sulivan's Island. on the 2Sth June, l1T6,
there was no time for South Carolina to consult her
sisters She doubted them not. and in discharging
the duty obtruded on her, she evinced her conf
dence in them and gave some ground for confidence
in her.
was in session at the occurrence OF the great crisis to
which other States looked forward, well South
Carolina, was not Of her design or appointment in
this respect.
If under these circumstances, with the fortunate
absence of the embarrassments and conflicts of par
ties which for the tune have divided the patriotic
citizenship of sister States, in all respects peeTess
of South Caroina-and with a General Assembly
recently elected and constituted in full view of the
great duty of the crisis-if, under these circum-
stonces we say, South Carolina should be constran-
ed by duty and position to take step apparent
w out of the line of the South. her sister States
need not fear she will 60 beyond the touch Of the
elbow.
The first revolution which asserte and illustrat-
ed in America the great principles of representative
self-government, was enacted in South Carolina in
IT'S.
In the second great revolution of l766-7G, she
bore her part, with what fidelity we need not row
relate suffice it TO say that while she never sought
isolation or post of honor in advance Of her sis
ters she never waited for them, when that waiting
would have dishonored herself and imperilled
them.
We repeat however it is not time for words,
but for resolute deliberate, cool and determined
action