Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-12-06
For the YOrkville Enquirer.
MEETING OF THE PEOPLE.

Notwithstanding an inclement, cold and bit
ter day--a "white day'-a large multitude of
the people of York District came to town, on
Monday last, to hear and applaud words Of
counsel and persuasion, touching the politica al
crisis, from our distinguished fellow. citizens,
James Chestnut, Jr., and Isaac w. Hayne. AT
the very wosrt, it was a grand rally; and we
can only regret that every man and woman in the
District could not be present to join in and en-
Joy the patriotic festival.
At twelve o'clock, the meeting convened in
the Court House, and was called to order by our
Senator, Col. R. G. McCaw. Messrs. l.. N.
Withers, Samuel W. Melton and I. D. Wither
spoon we're appointed Secretaries. In q few
spirited and pertinent remarks, Col. McCaw,
Chairman, explained the object Of the meeting
and introduced the Hon. James Chestnut.
The auditory, by their hearty applause, re-
ciprocated the pleasure expressed by Col. Ches.
nut in appearing before them. Introducing him
self thus handsomely, the orator proceeded to
the argument of the great questions now before
our p, ople, and made o thoroughly eloquent,
persuasive and convincing appeal, both to the
heads and hearts of his hearers. In the emer-
gency now presented, Secession, immediate and
if necessary, separate, was the best mode for
securing co cooperation. No pause should be
made. In the Union, many arguments might
exist to strengthen the position of other States,
in opposition to resistance. With no Union to
save, the alternative will be presented them,
to unite either with the North or the South
and no sane man can doubt that, aroused as
they now are, the States will not 'long debate 81
but will take sides with their friends, and form
a solid phalan1, going all together.
Col. Chestnut did not regard the election Of
Lincoln a cause for disunion. 1t only Justi6es
secession. The causes are deeper, existing far
back in the history of the government; antagon-
isms against which the fathers of the Republic
could not provide, founded in that peculiar char.
acter of the Puritan mind, which will not fash.
ion after any model save its own pattern-a
character which has now become inveterate, and
in obedience to whose selfish and absurd notions
it is impossible for a free people to live. To be
convinced of this, we have only to look to the
means by which Northern men have endeavored
to carry out their selfish purposes. They have
flooded the South with incendiary publications
they have taught the lessons of antagonism from
the rostrum, by lectures, in their schools, from
the pulpit, and by every other method possible,
and they openly declare their intention to EN-
ploy the government, its patronage, the Courts,
the laws, the Post.ofice, and all its other ma
chinery, for the same end and having the reins
of power, to punish as traitors all who dare to
oppose. Col. Chestnut here read an extract from
q recent speech of Senator Wilson, declaring
that the "heel of the North" was upon the neck
of the South, and would "grind the slave power
to powder! He asked how such menaces were
to be met and the cry ''by arms!" was echoed
again, again and again, throughout the hall.
In reply to the "overt-act" argument, Col.
Chestnut asked if any man, hearing the threat Of
incendiary, could be so mad as to wait until the
torch was actually applied ? with the assassin's
touch upon our persons, shall we wait until the
steel pierces US to the heart ?" No! Each State
must act. To delay is death Action will put
a lever in the grasp Of the South, with which to
lift up every down. trodden son of the soil will
send throughout our borders an electric fash
which will set ahlaze the whole land, and light
up the hills and the valleys, as the clans gather
together and march to the onslaught! Georgia