The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1872-11-20
Our Duty and Policy.

Our Duty and Policy.
election places the Southern people in
an exceedingly embarrassing position,
anl they need ull wisdom and pru-
dcnco to steer safely through the po-
iitical breakers by which they arc
now surrounded. Their situation is
embarrassing from various causes, tho
nature Of which is known to us all.
The defeat Of Greeley may have tho
tendency to place the South in y false
position, inasmuch rs no received his
entire support from this section Of tho
Union, while ho proved di,tostcful to
tho Northern palate. But whom it is
remembered that his acceptance by
the South WAS looked upon as peace
measure, and as an ind ;ation that her
people wore ready "to clasp hands
across the bloody chasm," her course
! cannot arnH l. Other than patriotic,
and VIC Sl,cvc that future historians
will 30 record it.
Grants re election boing nov n
reality, it becomes III to consult to
gcthcr rs to what duty demands Of
us under the circumstances, and as to
what policy wise appreciation of the
situation suggests to us to pursue.
In tho first place wo must view things
ia their proper light, and must not
shut our eyes to rcaii.ies. We must
acknowledge tho validity Of 18Th, l4.h
and 10Th Amendments to the Nation-
al Constitution, and must consider as
fully settled all issues growing out Of
them. We are compelled to adopt
this course because there is no alter
native, aud because it is dictated by
good sense. The majority Of the
citizens of tho United States regard
these amendments as fixed parts Of
fundamental law of tho land, and it
IL the height of folly for the South to
continue to agitatc them. Any at.
tempt to interfere with their opera.
ton, by any portion of our people,
subjects us to tho sevorities of the
law, and if general, would lead to
revolution. This wo arc not prepared
for, and if wo were, our fate
in the end would 10 too horrible
to contemplate. Wo nre subducd,
oppressed section, and must remain
80, until u sense OF justice returns to
the hearts Of our rulers. Neither
Will our mislortuncs ever grow lcss,
nor our burdens diminish until wo
tree ourselves from that spirit Of dc.
! rcndcncc that has always been our
/ curse. We must teach ourselves to
depend more on our own cxcrtions
and resources, and must 60 to work
to build up our waste places, and de-
vclop those treasures that lio dormant
beneath our sunny soil. Oar condi.
ton will never improve until we real.
izc tho fact that We must act indo
! pcnden.y Of the North. Wo must
, bring ourselves to believe also that
our so.oallol brethren Of the North
have no love us further than that
wo contribute somewhat to their
money-meking, and to their facilitiea
for enriching themselves. We wcro
! 10th at ono time to credit this, but
/ recent events have forced US to such
conclusion.
Our policy is then to accept the
situation as something that can't bo
avoided. At tho same time, wo
must remain true to our principles
and our heritage. We are at the
mercy Of Il corrupt and INSCRIPTIONS
patty, and our honor is all that is
left Us to rIeEc:vo and protect. Let
neither fear nor the hope ofreward in
duoo any honest hearted Southron to
turn his back upon his native land. Let
us be pcacoable citizons, conforming