Daily Democrat And News

The Combat Deepens.

Up to the time of writing, our news is of the most warlike character. The future is full of ominous forebodings. Apprehensions of deeds of blood are well founded. There can be no doubt of the precise condition of affairs. The civil war which was inaugurated a few days ago by the Carolinians has aroused the blood of the people and no one can determine where it will end. The Ship of State is on the dark sea of uncertainty; she has seen perilous times, and stormy weather ere this, but nothing like the storm she is now in. The hope that some miracle will intervene and calm down the sea of passion and bid the waves be still, is almost groundless. True, something may save us from the horrors of war but we fail to distinguish it.

It is the desire of our heart, and of every true patriot that peace may continue. The adopted State has nothing to fear, but because it is for the interest of mankind—of our country to have it. In the name of humanity and civilization, in the name of thirty millions of people, whose success before the world and whose happiness depends upon peace, in the name of the great Republic whose foundation stones were laid by God in the wilderness we have plead for a peaceful solution of these national troubles. The prayer is not granted. On all sides—North, South, East and West, armed men are gathering together—young men, the pride of our nation—the bone and sinew of the land are preparing their instruments of war with which to torture and slay each other. If we may not look at the cause, we may ask: What will be the result? Will it preserve the Union? No! Will it win back hearts alienated? No! Will it heal any bitterness? any heart burnings? make us any better, stronger or happier? No! no! What then? Go and ask history. The record is there. The language is plain and unmistakable. Peruse it, and learn from it what you may. We find no hope there. The war is going on. The note of preparation is sounding loud on the right and on the left. Where shall we stand? Let us answer from the bottom of our heart—let us answer each and all: let us stand shoulder to shoulder under the Stars and Stripes; let that not be dishonored come what may.