p. 57 | A Storm Gathering

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1867

A Storm Gathering.

The time seems to be surely approaching, when, owing to the refractory spirit of the Southern States in rejecting all propositions for reconstruction, Congress will reduce them to the condition of territories. The following is the threat which the South makes, provided Congress attempts to carry out its contemplated action. That further distraction and discord are in store for our country, there can hardly be any question.

The Wilmington (N. C.) Dispatch, is mouthpiece for the South in uttering the following sentiments:

“The people of the South are united, as one man, in their opposition to the threatening policy of Congress. They have felt the influence of that life-giving power, freedom. They cannot be made slaves through ignorance, they cannot be held in subjection to tyranny. At the right time, if the President of the United States stands firm in his purpose to protect the Constitution, the check to the march of despotism and fanaticism will be given by these forces combined. They will drive the usurpers from their seats of power. They will restore the Constitution of our country. They will preserve free institutions to America. There can be no reasonable doubt of the result. Already the Southern people have given evidence of their capacity as soldiers. With the North united against them, many of their own people against them, no organized government to commence with, no army, no navy, no resources, nothing to coalesce them but a principle, and on that thousands refusing to stand, they kept up an uneven contest for independence for four years with a valor unexampled, a fortitude unparalleled, and a determination unexcelled. In this approaching conflict, for conflict there will be if Congress attempts to destroy the States, they will have nearly half of the North as allies, and will be themselves united. There will be no room for compromise after the first blow. There can be no divisions of sentiment on the side of Conservatism and Freedom and Union. The Conservatives will be animated by the most powerful considerations. They will fight to the knife, and then to the hilt.”