Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-06-17
PyrOtechnics.

We have reached n point in thigar at which
1t is necessary for us to pause aIIle6ne our po-
sition before the civilized world. I've have beat
Gu and bsflei the Arms Of Ahraitn Liucsln on
so many bloody fields that the creiy himsclf has
acknowledged our superiority. H,pairing then
Of achieving any thing VII tho iyord, he is NON
trying what ho can do with the isbrand. Find
il g. .hiinrelf incapable Of actipgIG soldier, he
has turned incendiary.
Tho grave question is now pressing itself upon
us, how long can We submit to tis savage war
fare; when are We to begin thifearful work Of
retaliation ? 1t may suit the GFernment of the
United States.".to carry on a rarsre known only
to savuges that Government hs nothing to lose;
it has already become a stenchh the nnstrils Of
the civilized world, and in tho -bepths Of ihfamy
it has found that "atill lower dep"
Not SO With ourselves; ,yisdomi in counsel, dar-
ing courage, patien. epiur.pes of -bardshipa,
magnanimity to our e%nepias, hsvo won for us a
lofty rank among the .%nltions of the earth. We
should not therefore tab any step lightly or un-
adyi,edly, calculated t. tsrnish our national cs-
cutcheon. But self observation is the first law
of nature. While, therefore, rc should cherish
a sacred regard for tn laws ofIKoner and chiv-
airy, ws must remembe, that tho Knights of Malta
never applied their lawl when dealing with mid
night a.,as,ins and incqdiaries.. But though No
owe nothing to such a lase-born boor Us Abraham
Lincoln, yet VIC owo ! to ourselves, We owe Il
solemn responsibility b God, aud to the opinion
of the civilized world
We hold it that orr Government is bound to
protect its citizens f,uum this wal waged with the
FIRE. brand and thsa is but onemode of protsc-
ton, namely-remliation. But before resorting
to that fearful and odious measure, We should put
ourselves rectus Ia euria before tho world. We
believe thatit would be wise in our Governmen;
to send a formal and solemn. protest to the au-
thorisies at Washington; calling upon. them to de-
,ist from waging a war witt fre-brand', and
warming them that, if persisted in, We will retail
ate in such 2 manner US to turn their mirth into
mourning.
1t mutters nothing how Mr. Linc,ln may trea'
such d communication our purpose will be &C
complishod, namely, the jusefying ourselves be
fore the civilized world. Ifhe disregards oul
warning, then we shall have pothing loft but t.
execute our threat. And it should DO done in
such u way NJ to make our eiemies take up the
lamentation of Mika, "ye baie taken away my
Gods which 7 made, and whatlhaye I more?"
We have only to turn looss our cavalry upor
them with sword and frebrrnd, and to spar,
neither farm house or bamlg, town or villnge
property, public or private; tSspare nothing tina
fire will burn, save only theirsChurches. Let thu
track of our troops be markedsonly by a continu
GUS heap of ashes.
1t may be asked whether VIC arc able to do thi
thing. Such a question is only the suggestion o
cowardice, and needs no reply Amorep ertinen
enquiry is, will it effect any good7 We canno
answer certainly as to result.g Performances be
long to man-consequsnccs q God. The snern!
will perhaps retaliate; what then7 When he ha
destroyed root and branch utterly, he will CEASE
from destroying. Suppose We do not r~etaliate
will the enemy do less thar this7 If we suite
him to burn our property until his malice is snt
iyaed, does any one suppose fhat be will leave
sprig Of grass growing in our country?
One thing We do know: Whom men are driver
on in a course 81 wee BY htlissf hiaigulty- au,
fanaticism, there is but ono thing that will arres
them, and that is punishment. Punishment n
force and relentless as their own fanaticism. /
this remedy fails, and it may fail, then there i
nothing left but a war of utter determination fol
both parties. But we hope for better things.