The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-18
Groans OF the secessionists.

Union Meeting at WeStchesfer.
Groans OF the Secessionists.
Many of our South Carolina contemporaries
persist in declaring that the snake of secession
ism is scotched, not killed, and that its hiss
will again be heard before many months are
past.
The Secessionists themselves are evidently
10th to give up the ghost; and such of their
organs as survive the result of the late election
are striving hard to convince themselves that
their chances of success are not yet annihilated.
The South Cdrolinidn recalls attention 10 a
"plan of action" published some time ago in
the Charleston Mercury, and writer, styling
himself ga Virginian," uses the columns of
the Charleston papers TO recommend its adop-
ton. The Carolinian extracts the essence of
the plan, which, in few words, is that South
Carolina should dissolve all voluntary conneX-
ion with the Federal Government, stopping
short only of the overt act of secession.
Following in the wake of other journalists
of the same stamp, the Carolinian proceeds to
cast the onus of commencing future action upon
the Co-operatonists, remarking that ''if their
past, the people of the State will quickly un-
deceive them as to the supposed results of the
late demonstration at the ballot-box." The
writer appears to forget that the prophetic
powers of his tribe have recently been fairly
tried and found wanting. They are now at
discount.
The Edgefeld Is. O. Advertiser takes
&c ~;
He sees ''Union breakers ahead" leaving
little prospect Of aught but "abject submission
TO the fiat Of the great Washington Gov
ernment," which, in his judgment, sis ra-
pidly becoming the embodiment of tyranny
more hateful than European despotism."
The ssbreakers" which thus arouse the appre-
tensions of the .4drertiser will be regarded as
cause of profound qualification by more hap
PLY constituted politicians. The late elections
are looked upon as calculated "to give promi-
nence and responsibility" to ''the out-and-out
Union party, Of which the Greenville Pa
triot is the active organ" We quote our
Edgefeld contemporary:
1T is vain to deny that there are Union men
of the Patriot stamp all over South Carolina, and
it ia lusory to bold out the idea any longer that
these men compose but feeble faction, to be de-
spised, and not to be dreaded. Their increase is
growing more and more percepuble with each
succeeding month to every attentive and cool OBJ
server. And unless some manly movement be in
stituted at early day, which shall result in
happy coalition of Secessonists and Co operation
lists, this very union party may yet control South
Carolina
The considerations that lead to 'this most
disagreeable conclusion" are several. The
first is that South Carolina has within her Dor
ders number, by no means insignificant, "who
really love the Union"
knowing themselves to be in reviled minor
ity they have hitherto been almost mute observers
of the course of political events. These men have
nevertheless cherished their Union principles in
the most sacred reccsses of their hearts, expecting
confidently that this great western Republic, which
they were taught 10 believe established almost
by the visible hand Of overruling Providence,
would yet be justified against what they have
regarded as the mere fretfuiness Of wrangling
population. This faith in the Union has, for the
most part been handed down from sire to son, and
has in this way received the coloring of religious
duty However gross the misconception which has
led to this nfatuation, yet it cannot be pretended
that the feelings which have been thereby genera
the contrary, they arc deprecated and enduring
and they have only awaited the opportunity, which
is being presented, of disclosing to the public
eye their real strength"
Again: il is discovered that the citizens of
northern birth, who have made the South their
adopted home, are " impelled by natural prompt
ings to oppose any measure which may result
in what they conceive to be an unnatural sep
araton." Others, fancying that they are not
directly interested in the question of slavery,
protest " against being drawn into civil strife''
in connexion with it while fourth class are
wearied with long continued and bootless clamor.
The .4drerliser observes
eve believe that considerable number Of our
moot honest fellow citizens, shareholders well as
others, arc influenced by this sentiment They
complain that the tocsin has been sounded in their
again and again, but that no honorable
battle has yet been fought that they have more
than once made up their minds to risk all for the
maintenance of their rights, in out Of the Union;
but when the hour of resistance ought TO have ar
rived, the leaders stood aghast and knew not what
to say do. Some discouraged, some are dis
gusted, and repose from such useless and unproft.
able strife is desired by many really high-toned
Carolinians So earnestly is il desired, that there
is possibility that many may seek it even in the
ranks Of the Unionists for there il il promised
and, II the terms are accepted, will doubtless be
realized, Thus is opened another channel which
may send a tributary stream 20 the Union phalanx
Of our State"
All these circumstances are the cause Of ter