Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-02-27
The Probabilities of War,

Opinions lrc just now widely divergent Us to
the probabilities of war. a member Of the South
crn Congress said the othur duy,-and muny agree
with him, m,-;hat the prospect of war 'eihia t'ecnty
days was patent. Other observers of the political
changes think they discover IL near view of peace
One thing is certain: IF the Republican idea Of
collecting revenue on goods imported into The
Confederate States is attempterl Iu bc chrricl out
IL Gght must ensuc ;-whelhcr it will lead TO war
is very dangerous sight in revolutionary times ;
and if the opposing States apprUximated ununimi
ty in tho movement against us, war would follow
bloodshcd as certainly US the thunder.clap does
the lightnings Hash. But these States nrc great
y divided III political sentiment ;-liore than this,
the party ut present dominant in them is hated by
u powerful minority with As much bitterness as is
felt among the people Of the South. The case
standing thus the ctfuson of blood may take place
without leading to confirmed hostilties.
There is another influence that will tell for or
against the chances Of continued war it is, the
moral effect of the first conflicts that may occur.
IF victory be ours, these chances will soon grow
beautifully less. But if it go with the eagle Of
tho United States, there is no saying to what ram
pant exccsses the authorities Of that Government
may proceed; nor can we properly estimate to
what extent it may increase tho sway Of Black
RepublicaIism over the North and Northwest.
brief series Of triulrphs Il cif side might re-
suit in importing IN enthusiasm to the cause Of
coercion, before which the better men Of the OPP
posing section would be obliged to succulnb. 1t
might MS greatly weaken the position Of the
Confederate States before the world.
Tho deduction from this view is obviously this:
That the Provisional Government of the Cun(cd-
crate States should spare no pains and no expense
TO ensure to our standard safety and success from
tho outset The whole credit Of these States
should be pledged, if need be, to procure at once
and on The largest scale all the most approved
means und munitions Of war, both for naval and
land engagements. The energies Of our new ru-
lers should be bent in this direction with iron pur-
pose, and no other matter should be allowed to
usurp one iOtn of the care and concern which this
prime necessity demands Of them. In the present
posture Of the Slave States, and in view Of the
adverse opinions every where more or lcss enter
tainel towards their social system, it is all mpor
tant TINT they should appear ssrung (as they real
ly arc) in tho first blow they strike.
Hence, there is cause of gratitude TO the au-
thortics of South Carolinn for their firmnrss i'll
pcrsstins to prepare for the taking OF Furt Sum
ter, despite the aulcst insulting taunts Of tho dis
satisfied. They have not only shown magnan.
nous care for the lives Of brave SUuthcrncrs, but
they have done the South signal service, by
atraiHiny heir oims TO ample preparation instead
Of rushing binlloldcd upon most hazardous cx-
pertinent. II they arc not yet fully ready, we
trust they will continue to brave ul discomfort
until they arc SO.
As of South Carolina, so of the Government of
the Confederate States, the true policy is to for
bear and prepare as long rs possible, consistently
with honor. What We want, To prercnt continued
rar, is un opening Of triumphant actions on our
part. IF this fail to produce that result, we shall
at least have begun the chapter with the morale
Of military glory.