Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-10-24
From the Nashville J%scksOnianl
Progress of Disunionisn.


To q superficial observer, the aspect of political az
fairs in the Southern States, indicates little danger to
the integrity and PerPetuity of the Union. We notice
this is the very general conclusion Of the press and pol
iticians OF the free States, but we do not so read the
signs of the times and the present complexion of poliri-
cal parties.
That the open and avowed advocates of immediate
secession and disunion on the part OF certain States, have
lost ground, and been compelled to alter their tactics
and disguise their purposes under cover OF new issues is
PROFESSIONALLY true, and, indeed we should have little
apprehension of eventual dissolution if the issue was
confined to the question itself. Wherever this issue has
been made, except in South Carnlina, the friends of the
Union have been and will be victorious. This was the
case last fall in the election for Delegates to a Conven-
ton in Georgia; it has been the ease in a like election
Just passed in Mississippi. But, in each ofthese States,
as well as in Alabama, North Carolina, Florida,
Louisiana, Virginia, Arkansas, and perhaps other slave
States, there is an influential and powerful minority,
embracing the very best talents in these States respec-
lively who not only sympathise with the Rhetts and
Cheves Of South Carolina, the open advocates of imme-
date State secession, but who in our humble opinion, go
as far as they dare in encouraging and Fastening the
event, as TO South Carolina. These men are by no
means unpopular at home. either; for we do not recol-
lect Of a single instance Of one of those ultra, anti COM
promise gentlemen who voted against the A Adjustment
Measures of the last Congress, and who were hence re-
garded as disunionists, being laid aside by their constit-
uents in consequence OF such action and such opinions.
On the contrary, we observe that, with rare exceptions,
they are either candidates again for a seat in the next
Congress, OF where elections have taken place, are al.
ready reelected. Such is the case as to elections al
ready passed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Ala
bama and Arkansas. We have every reason to believe
that such will be the case in Virginia, Mississippi and
Louisiana, where elections are yet 10 be held. We shall
be agreeably disappointed even in Mississippi, where
the Union party have so recently achieved such a tri-
umph in driving Quitman the Disunion candidate for
Governor from the field, il Msssrs. Bsown, Feather.
ston, Melville, and Thompson, all friends OF Qultman,
are not reelected. Weexpect a like result as to atleast
six a-nti-compromise men from Virginia, and two or three
from Louisiana. ah4a |
This olsss 0f nalifioians danv hasnu d.snpsonfsfa r. n
true but they advocate and espouse doctrines not less
fatal, If put IN practice, TO the existence of the Union,
and far more likely to be put in practice, because GOV.
with a gauze and specious ~sophistIy well calcula.
ted TO deceive and decoy. They are not In favor of Sc.
cession in their own States, (South Carolina excepted)
they hold that a State has a right, peaeeably, 10 Sc
cede, and that the general Government has no right to
employ force to prevent it. This is now the issue ofthe
States; for, really, those who do not subscribe
TO il in those States, make but little head against it and
seem, in fact, to tacitly admit it. Looking, therefore,
at things as they undoubtly exist in the Southern States,
repeat they are by no means calculated to inspire US
confidence that the danger Of trouble and conflict
the General Government and some Of those
States, is passed. t
A large majority Of those who control South Carroll.
ma, are in favor Of secession-the question is only one Of
and policy with her. Her politicians are bent on
If they think they can accomplish that end
by staying IN the Union, they will do so yet a little
al Government by Immediate secession, they will try il.
Suppose -she does secede-what next? Why, IL is
the General Government will use coercive meas
to prevent her, or TO bring her back. This will re.
4ure Congressional action, and is it not at once seen
that in attempting this action, nearly every member of
from the South will espouse her cause by re.
using to vote for the employment Of FORGET Thus the
whole matter comes up in a form best calculated to sub
serve disunion purposes and most to be deprecated
South Carolina politicians have the saeacity to see this
and make the proper calculations in filming their move
nents. IL she attempts secession, as we fear she will
turing the session Of the next Congress, this Govern
nent will be called upon to pass an ordeal more danger
'us and trying than any hitherto experienced in its his
ory.
In our humble Judgment this secession issue, although
low looked upon as a harmless and abstract one, isl
destined to oil a large space in the Debates Of the next
and if South Carolina attempts secession, des-
ined to be a most dangerous, (f not to the existence Of
he Government) fatal practical issue.