Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-05-30
From the Southern Guardian.
What is the Contest A.?

for the prlnclples OF otale rlgnts ana ctate
sovereignty-for equality aud independence
for our fresides and altars, our wives and
little ones?
Yes, for all these, and much more. We
are contending for the very existence Of
civil liberty and republican institutions on
this continent. The success of the expert
ment is at stake, and we are responsible for
the issue. From the very origin of the gov
ernment of the United States, there has
existed party hostile to the peculiar and
distinctive principles Of the Republic. This
party was represented 10 the Convention of
1857, which framed the Constitution
The advocates of consolidated national
organization-a strong gouernment-strove
persistently to engraft upon the Constitu-
tion provision for the application of force
by the General Government, to compel a
State to obey the laws, and remain in the
Union after it had once become member.
But the proposition was promptly rejected,
as subversive of the principles upon which
all Republican Governments are based
the consent of the governed.
This party, originating no doubt with
those who never were entirely satisfied with
the change from Monarchy to Republic,
has been in existence in this country ever
siuce, sometimes under one name, and some
times under another. But whether known
as Federalists or Wings, Know Nothings
or Black Republicans, their principles have
always been the same-they have always
been opposed to State Rights and State
Sovereignty, and in favor of consolidation.
They are now in possession of the Govern
ment of the nineteen United States, and
they give the best evidence of their inteu.
tiou to change the character of that govern
ment,<s.Rssy declare that sovereignty re-
sidesy6ot in the States or thepeople, but
in the Federal Government-tha the ma
jority must rule, and that if one or five
States, which happen to be in minority,
refuse to render willing obedience to the
dictates of thsr President, their citizens are
to be anasha sized as outlaws, and hung
as tralA@. .aDd rebels.
TEds the Government is losing all tho
characteristics of republic, and assuming
those of monarch, or despotism and Mr.
Lincoln is to day as virtually Emperor of the
United States as Louis Napoleon is Of
France. Lincoln has been elected by the
people, it is true, and is called the Presi.
dent; so was Napoleon elected By the peo.
pie, and at first called President. But,
gathering around him a standing army Of
mercenary soldiers, so soon as he felt secure
in his position, he threw IF all disguise,
and assumed the title. as he had long en-.
joyed the prerogativseof Emperor. Lincoln
is surrounding himself with mercenaries,
aud usurping absolute power; and, if not
soon checkeda6e, too, will, ere long. lay
cla IN to the title of more than President.
lie is n"t restrained by the laws or the
Constitution. He violates both with i'm
puuity. The Constitution expressly pro-
vides that "COngress alone shall have pow
er to declare war. call out the uiIiia, make
treaties" &C. But what cares Mr. Lin
coin for the Constitution He declares
war upon what he is pleased to call part
of his own doasinions, proc'aims block
ade of their ports, and calls out IS 900 mill.
tia to carry out the infamous programme.
And instead of meeting with rebuke for this
gross and unblushing usurpa'ion of power.
his course is endorsed, and he is cheered
on by the glad approval of his infatuated
followers. He is overwhelmed with offers
Of men and money from ex.Presidents,
Judges, governors, Legislators, clergymeu,
merchants, manufacturers, mechanics, dray-
men, beygars, and free negroes.
Thus, all classes willingly bend their
necks to the yoke, congratulatiug them
selves, no doubt, that they are now about
to demonstrate to the world that "ace have
Il aorernment" The people of the North,
having thus sanctioned and endorsed this
outrageous usurpation of power-this total
disregard of aw and constitutional obliga
tions-it is not to be expected that man
of Mr.. Lincoln's calibre will willingly re.
sign into their hands the reins of govern
ment, and voluntarily retire from place and
power.
Thus, the Government is rapidly tending
to despotism of some kind. The univer-
sal prevalence of licentiousness, infdelity,
and mobracy among all classes, units them
for the enjoyment of free institutions. They
are already ripe for the change, aud it will
surely come at no distant day. The friends
of free government then may we'll look with
interest and in anxiety, upon the contest
now going on. Should the Southern States
be burn down in the conflict, and have to
submit to the condition of conquered prov
inces of the North, the fate of republican
institutions on this continent would be seal
ed The sun of liberty would 20 down in
darkness and gloom, and freedom meet
with an untimely grave.
But the South cannot be conquered 49,
Twelve millions of fre"men, armed in the
holy cause of liberty, fighting on their own
soil. and in defence of all that men hlod
dear, can never be subiunated by the mer-
cenaries of Aboliticn;>n Putting our trust
in the God of battles, and nerving ourselves
for the conf ct, let us strike for liberty as
OIL freamen can strike, and success will
abundautly crown our efforts.
EUSEBIUS.
Cnkesbrrv, May 6. 1861.
COL ROBERT LINCOLN ANDERSON
The Montgomery Post referring to Col.
Anderson's speech IN Philadelphia, says: