The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-12-18

els is suspended or prisoners to await an
expected defeat, and their exchange con
temptoously Y refused. Private citizens are
incarcerated in dungeons. 1t is only few
days ago we learned that Capt. Cuthbert,
/ OF this State, was sent, in irons, from
Port Royal 10 the North. Letters Of
Marqae are not respected, and the gal
liant officers and men Of our militia Of
the sea" are treated as outlaws and pi.
rates.
Yet more, the very internal social or
der OF our people is to be rent asunder {;
and our slaves are TO be stimulated to in,
surrection, and honored with the title Of
lious masters.
Men and States may be destroyed BY
unrghleous force, but shame and dishon,
or are only brought upon men and States
by themselves. Those who are inconsis.
tent with their principles those who
have intelligence to understand their
rights, and proclaim them, yet shrink
from their maintenance, are the authors
of their own disgrace. Let the people
Of the South trust TO the God of truth
and justice. Let them maintain the dig.
nifty Of their outraged sovereignty, and
sternly meet the consequences forced on
them by their atrocous foes.
We have endured the dishonor OF see
ing our privateers put 10 trial as pirates,
and patiently waiting, until one has been
convicted by usurping Court, the Con-
federate Government threatens retaliation.
DO we not know that if the chances of
war had not put men in our power, whom
We took in arms, as prisoners of ,rar, we
would not have the means Of this mea
gre retaliation Does this seem mag.
unanimous They were taken with a
clear understanding on our part, as well
as on theirs, that they were to be treated
as prisoners Of war, according TO the rules
Of civilized nations. What have they
done since their surrender to change their
condition But does this meet the evil
The indlgnlty was offered TO our flag,
which our Government entrusted TO onr
privs:eers, when they were refused tue
treatmen, Of prisoners Of war. It is earn.
essly and respectfully submitted ,ha, the
only sufficient. response 10 that outrage,
was to have announced that, if this in.
suit were not disclaitued and the wrong
repaired, thenceforth the enelnys flag
should no longer clo,he Il ose taken under
it with the character of prisoners Of war.
This may seem shocking, but le; the
crime rest on those who violate the prinr
cipIe--fat jastitia ruat ceium. Let us
abandon the struggle, il we cannot face
the consequences Of maintaining the
cause Of truth and honor. Generosity is
wasted on the base.
Are our laws silent on the subject of
attempts to excite sedtion among our
slaves. II one Of our own citizens, or a
stranger in our borders, be guilty Of this
crime, what is the penalty 7 The halter.
What is now going on upon our coast
Are not our slaves excited TO sedition {?
are they not encouraged to run away
from their masters, aud harboured by
the officers and troops Of the Governmen,
at Washington, who have been invading
our shores, under the instructions Of its
Secretary Of War. Is not every man ia
that expedition guilty Of felony under
our laws Are we loyal to our sover.
eighty, and faithful TO our laws, if such
criminals are not tried and hanged when
taken in the act
BE the consequences what they may
let the Southern people do their duty to
themselves. With this resolve only can
our honor be saved. In no other way
can we meet the fearful issue, now forced
upon US.
"Be great in act, as we have been in thought ;
Let not the world see fear, and SAD distrust,
Govern the motion Of kingly eye
BE stirring as the time be fire with FIRE
Threaten the threatener, and OUTAGE the brow
OF Dragging horror. So shall inferior eyes
Grow great by our example,, aud put on
The dauntless spirit of resolution"
CAMILLUS.
Lancasteryille, Dec. 9th, 1851.
FOR rHE LANCASTER LEDGERl