Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-05-02
THECAUSEOF THE SOUTH.

1t Is encouraging to nation, as we'll as
individuals, to see the hand Of God leading,
protecting, and succoring them in critical
hour and momentous issues. Whilst there
is liability to err in interpreting the his.
tory of events, not fully consummated, un-
der Providential control, yet we think the
marks of Divine favor, towards the South.
ern people in the revolution now in success.
full progress, are so manifest that we hazard
nothing in attempting to demonstrate that
God is propitious to our cause. To furnish
indications of this fact, we bring under sur
kyey the prominent events from the incipien.
cy of the movement.
l. An occasion to justify the Southern
movement was presented in the election of
the President of the former United States.
A man of but little reputation, possessing
few qualifications for the post-vastly in
ferior in every respect to either Of the three
opposing candidates-with no qualities to
commend him 70 any, except as being the
Eexponent of principles violently hostile to
Southern rights and institutions-was elect.
ed by receiving larger Electoral vote than
all the others combined, and this from o
single section of the country; and yet a
majority of the popular vote of the whole
Union, was against him. Thus the cleo
ton of such man, in such away, and at
such a time, in opposition to the conserva-
tism of the North, and in the face of the
protests of the South, was justly regarded
as sufficient climax of hostility towards,
and aggressious upon the Constitutional
rights of the South, to justify an attempt,
through an assertion of State sovereignty,
to be peacefully and regularly absolved from
the poisonous embrace of dominant party,
who, in their rank and file, were pledged
to prostitute and pervert the Government
to the injury and degradation Of the South.
The Secession movement was a timely re-.
sponse to this occasion, so opportunely pre-
sented. without the fault or seeking of the
South.
2. The same appears in South Carolina,
being Providentialy summoned and posi-.
toned to take the leadership in the matter.
In accordance with her Constitution her
Legislature was first convened to cast the
Electoral vote, and thus circumstanced to
act upon the issue, she prepared the way
for the people to speak-and that voice
echoiug through their Representatives, did
with unparalleled unanimity, sever the con-
nection that bound the State to the Union.
No other State could have secured this una
nimity at this stage-and no other was so
we'll prepared, by her past history, to ini-
tiate the change In corr rrespondence with
the exigencies of the crisis, the State also
elevated man to her Gubernatorial Chair,
who besides his eminent fitness, had also a
national and foreign reputation as judi.
cious and conservative man. This CONCUR
renee of propitious circumstances seeming.
ly, at least, indicated the hand of God as
with US.
8. This is visible, also, in overruliug the
hostile and warlike movements of the Gov.
erumeut of the United States, for the ben.
eft of the South. A commanding officer
changed his position, by dismantling weak
fort and taking possession Of stronger one,
and was endorsed by the National Govern.
ment, against existing pledges. But the
issues were proclamation of the treachery
of the Administrations proper occasion
for South Carolina to possess the remaining
forts in her harbor, the beginning of active
preparations for defence, and a stimulant
to Georgia and Louisiana to take rank with
the seeded States A vessel with armed
men was secretly sent to reinforce Fort
Sumter; the result was failure, and yet
as favorable to the South, the purpose Of
the rulers at Washington was revealed, the
bravery of South Carolina soldiers was il
Illustrated, for although but poorly defended
and threatened by the enemy's officer in {
strong fort. they were prompt to assault tbt
vessel and inhict dishonor on the American
flag. No effort was made to avenge the in
suit, but the Presidents Cabinet was disor
ganized, and Texas brought out of the I'm
ion. Thus the South was favored.
t. So also in the selection of officers fo
the "Confederate States of America -
Men who were real and efficient statesmen
D who had the confidence of the whole South
4 and against whom the North could make nj
. well.grounded accusation; the very mel
r for the crisis, were promoted to Office by tb'
g Southern Congress. Thus all parties in tb'
: Confederacy were united, our indiferen
D friendsi in the border States encouraged, ant
: opponents everywhere disarmed of criticism
S. Another mark of favor is apparent ii