The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-05-08

the objects for which We contend. National
honor is u consideration of no trivial i'm.
portance. We regard death, and Justly too.
as much smaller evil than disbonor. And
for this principle we have the highest nu.
thorty. The creator of all " orlds preferr-
ed ard actually elected suffering rather
THAI his law should be dishonorsd. You
may represent honor as being II figneut-
a creature Of The fancy ; but it must be
sober stern reality, when Deity himself
makes such sacrifices for its maintenance.
Now sir, do you think people, who have
by nature and education very refined and
delicate sense on this subject can ever re-
conc!e it 10 their feelings, to suffer you or
your government 10 hold and occupy mill.
tary posts within their terrtOry-or that
their commerce must cross the decks of
your men-of.war before it can enter their
ports? No, never, never. From every
nook and glen the universal sentiment OF
our people would be expressed in the Ian.
guuge OF one Of our immortal patriots, gire
me independence or give me death. They
would esteem it, rs it truly is. sweet and
glorious TO fall IN the main teuance Of sucn
rights.
You had very striking excmpification
Of their principles on this subject in De.
cembcr last. IT is true your Government
stgmatized and degraded herself in the
eyes of the nations by violating plightcd
faith. But Carolina's escu,cheon, remained
AS it ever has been, fair us the maidcn's
cheek, pure as the maiden's heart. Her
Convention might have been led away in
chains tho streets of her Metropolis delu.
ged with human gore her commerce,
wealth, beauty and refinement, become q
prey TO the devouriDg elements. But no
unholy touch could ever be permitted to
pollute her sacred honor. And even when
your mercenary had, like n bat nt the ap-
proach Of dav, sIulkcd into n hidi ng place.
and was expelled therefrom by Carolina
skill and courage, did not the generosity,
the macnunimity of our people grant him
the same honorable terms that We're offered
before n gun was fired Tho trcachcry OF
your Government has cost us much precious
time and some treasure. But what are
broad acres and full Golfers ! w hat are
learning and power without character =
| When we Violate our solemn engagements
when we sneak oil hrcling soldiers con.
cealcd under the dark mantle OF night, and
put them aboard of war vessels Ia stcai
| them into an harbor not our own, To con
troll n commerce not our own when We
promise TO eNacuatc military posts not held
by n lawful tenure, when al the same tue
| We are preparing To hold them by force
when We send unprlncipI"d cmissarirs, un-
der false prctenses. To spy Out matters We
have no right to know-whcn We discard
everything that is open, far, manly and
honorable aud resort TO duplci,y, reach-
ry and fasehood, then YOU may with some
degree Of success wage this unhoiy crusade
against us. But until then YOU may expect
defeat and disaster nj every step. II is i'm
| possible TO conquer n people, who willingly
sacrifice every personal consideration for
the maintenance Of national character.
But further not only do our people de.
fend their honor but also their property,
their homes, their families, their religion, The
grdreS Of their Kindred and ersry that is dear
10 a right hearted and sound minded man.
Your my rmldon hosts are nctuI,ed by an
ignorant, fana,ical zeal. which It's founda.
uon in iniidelity. That superficial, sickly
sentlinen,aI,-m to which yonr harps are per.
petually strung, Is the result Of disregard.
ing what the word of God teaches, and a.
serling what ii ought to teach. Som" Of
your leaders have Lsurpcd the pr e-"gn'lNrs
Of deity, and rerpetrated the most startling
blasphemies. Have they not affirmed (u
reference to what IL does isach) If the Bible
taught ceri. .in tEings, they would cXrcrue
both il and its Author Can great move
mcnls such rs you have now inflated be
successful when they are based upon such
! principles The French nation in the frenzy
and folly of a heism raised their blusphc
nous voice against the most hi III q d--his
laws and his authority but their punish.
ment was only equalied by their crime
! You sir. and yours might profit 10y their
laws. A zeal that is engcndcred by an or
ror and especially n moral error will be- nee.
essarily ephemcral. That fanntcal rdor,
which hns called together and now an,nates
your forces will very per;eptibly coo, after
a few weeks privation and toll and a few
signal defeats, which yon nay reasonably
expect. And take heed these disappointed
and infuriated fanatics do rot visit upon
YOU thnt eSecrat;on your party has hcapcd
upon the Bible : and leave you exposed TO
that disgrace and ruin, your unwarrantaoIe
conduct so Justly merits.
Now place the blind, ignorat. rash. TEN.
porary zeal Of your party in juxtaposition
with the deep enlightened permanent prin.
cipie Of those against whom gu make wur
You are attacking us ia our homes, inter.
ruP,ing us in our lawful and peaceful avo-
cations, you nre refusing us our rights
denying US our sovereignty and endeavor-
ing to incte our slaves to insurTeciion 10
I
sIons which characterize that rRcc. Now
sir, if there is any spirit in msn-if there
is the spark OF resistance your programme
is the most successfu! plan 10 arouse and
cali il into action. Let me assure you that
spark lies not very deep in the breast OF
every Southerner From the tripping prat.
ling little boy that can barrel, more than lisp
, his fathers name understsndingly; to the
palmy oc,ogenarian there Is not an iudisidu.
al but will meet you with resistance with
n resistance that will know no end till the
last drop Of liic's current has been turned
from its natural channel Let me assure
you if you do not abandon this uuholy en-
ierprise you will have To utterly eyterni.
nate our whole people, or suffer a most di,
graceful defeat. Aud am strongly incln-
ed to think the latter will be your expert.
ence. And most devonily hope it may.
Not that | hate you, your people, your Con.
: sIitution nor your flag. respect you,
though do not entertain an exalted opin-
inn af your caDacily for the funct ions Of