The Harper's Ferry Insurrection.

Authors

Newspaper Title

Charleston Mercury

Publication Date

10-19-1859

Publication Place

Charleston, South Carolina

Event Topic

John Brown

Political Party

Democratic

Region

slave state

Disclaimer

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Quote

a concerted movement of abolitionists and their black victims in southern States

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

The telegraph has informed us that this bloody outbreak is, by confession of its northern ringleaders, a concerted movement of abolitionists and their black victims in southern States, and has its ramifications in Washington, Alexandria, and in Baltimore. It is stated that apprehension and excitement exist. We are satisfied there is exaggeration. While we can see no cause for present alarm, none can blind their eyes to the audacity of the attempt, or fail to regard it as a pregnant sign of the times--a prelude to what must and will recur again and again, as the progress of sectional hate and Black Republican success advances to their consummation. And what will be the effect? Are occurrences like these calculated to strengthen the institution of slavery in the border States, by adding to its advantages and value in the appreciation of the public there? Is not the condition of things to which we submit inevitably tending to render slave property in the neighborhood of Mason and Dixon's line a dangerous and troublesome nuisance? Slaves can neither be kept nor managed. By our tame and passive policy, the Cotton States, which are vitally interested in the institution, are actually allowing slavery to be carried out of the Border States. The continuance of this policy will slowly but surely build up an abolition party in States that now are strongly pro-slavery, and ready to back us in resistance to the ever-recurring aggressions of the North and of her people. The march of events is onwards. Let the signs of the times be read and interpreted aright.

Edited/Proofed by

Entered and proofed by Lloyd Benson

Identifier

sccmjb591019a

Recommended Citation

"The Harper's Ferry Insurrection." (1859). Secession Era Newspaper Editorials. 231.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/secession-editorials/all/editorials/231

Rights

This item is in the public domain, and can be used by anyone without restriction.