150-years-ago -- NORTH AND SOUTH WERE ON VERGE OF WAR

Review of the volunteer troops in Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island,

Charleston Harbor, S.C., in the presence of Mrs. Pickens and Miss Pickens,

 the wife and daughter of the governor of South Carolina. Frank Leslies'

Illustrated Newspaper. (Library of Congress)

The Charleston Mercury

Thursday, April 11, 1861

OUR POSITION



     Impending, momently expected battle, is the culmination of years of steadily increasing encroachment of the North upon the South - of compromising, sentimental generosity, and weak acquiescence on the part of the South. Strengthened and aggrandized by the partial action of the Central Government, the North is swollen with pride and drunk insolence. Overrating her power and resources, she undervalues and despised the patient, long suffering, much-abused, hated South. Clothed with authority, Northern sectionalism exults in the idea of humiliating and subduing those who would legitimately escape the consequences of its enthronement. The South, in armed and organized resistance, stands ready to make good her independence at the cost of blood and treasure. The two sections confront each other in positive, palpable hostility. By the gradual process of unchecked, unsettled disagreement between the sections, the respect of the North for the South has given place to disesteem, commendation to disparagement, kindly actions to outrages and murders, and amity to the interchange of the cannon and rifle-ball. There is now no common interest, sympathy, or hope. Direct antagonism has sprung up and is now so developed, as must lead, we trust, to an eternal separation of our destinies. Fundamental differences exist. No political conjunction can ever repress. No Lethean waters can ever obliterate from memory the deeds which they are about to inaugurate here. Coercion-invasion-subjugation, are the issues forced upon us. And "Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God!" The North needs proof of the earnestness of our intentions and our manhood. Experience shall be their teacher. Let them learn.