The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-06-21

n"s 'ho SteACeT part OF his constituents NAV
DO considered as secession men: holding his
present sentiments, can lie in good faith
be their representative any longera
With regard to our members to the Leg
stature, whether the secession men or sub
mission men in the District are most nurner
ous, they are bound, in good faith, to carry
out the principles OIL which they were elect
ed. Honesty is always the best policy
Mr.. Editor, beyond all contradiction, great
changes have taken place in our midst since
the last fall elections. Cause and effect must
60 together. What is the cause that las
produced these changes2 Is it new light
Let us have it. May it not be something
like this, upon reflection 81 hold an hon.
orable and lucrative Office; the secession
of South Carolina might deprive me Of it.
Or, am looking forward to speakership
or some other post Of honor or profit; the
secession Of South Carolina might ruin all,
as some of the other States might go with
her, and then the glorious Union would be
dissolved and all my prospects blasted for
ever. Or, am comfortably settled, living at
my ease; secession might involve all in ruin.
Or, am too great coward to confront a
foe. .E
3 But a word or two about Southern coop
Grafton. Il appears that our submission
friends, lfor we do really respect many Of
them, however well they love the glorious
Union,) in consequence Of the wrongs I'M.
posed on the South, would be willing to dis
solve it if thsy,could have company, or a
Southern Confederacy: Like timid child
in the dark, they arc afraid to 90 ont alone
Do they really deserve Southern Confed&
racy, as we before hintedi What are thu
doing to bring It abouta What are the
forts makipga We see none. All that =
doing is by the secession men. If they codt
tinue to stand with their arms folded. do thew
think it viii be aocomplisheda Hain hone.
But are they waiting for some further insults
from the North, that will arouse the South
and bring them to united actiona Z; If what
has already taken place will not put them
up to resistance, what Wilt You have 80
often heard the Northern aggressions that
we think it unnecessary to repeat them
Northern men tauntingly say that the South
cannot be kicked into resistance; indeed,
::':s'e :s too, much grounds for the taunt.
But there is kick, if resorted to by the
North, will arouse all hands: that is, the re-
peal OF the fugitive slave law. But of all
kicks, this appears to us the most ridiculous
as to bring about concert of action in the
South. It never was intended for ANYTHING
more than a gull. The provisions of. the
Constitution were far better than those of
The fugitive slave law. What does the Con-
stltution say, Art.:4, Sec. 2 No person held
to service or labor IN one State, under the
laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in
consequences Of any law or regulation there
in, be discharged from such labor or service,
but shall be delivered up on claim Of the
party to whom such service or labor may be
due. Now what have You got in its stead :
1hs Fugitive .Slaee La,o. How does It
worka You must have your slave arrested,
tried, and at an immense expense may OBJ
tain verdict in your favor; but in order to
return, you must have guard Of hundreds
to place you in state of safety with your
property--and this after having expended
The price of your negro, and affixed upon
The Government an expense many times over
the amount Of the property recovered. Wit
ness Potter's case. Would it not have been
better for the Government to have paid to
Potter $4,000 for his negro, requesting him
o abandon the prosecutions Observe, the
treasury Of the United States is charged
nth the greater part of the costs; of course
Ve are taxed for recovering other mems run
way negroes. But Mr.. Editor, this kick,
he repeal Of the fugitive slave Law, is want
d as panaeea 70 set all things right. We
ope this kick will be given, for two reasons
st, The repeal would draw US back to the
'ovisions OF the Constitution, (if at this
me it has an existence,) which are far bet.
sr, much better safeguard. I'd, II; would
lenoe clamors for further Northern agares-
on, in order to Southern Consedeescy,
nd might stir the people mp to secession.
'ut We must have another kick Take care,
st it beso hard a to disable yon from re-