Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-10-15
Disunion Sentiments.

Disunion Sentiments.
It cannot be denied that the controlling spirits
the prominent leaders OF the Democratic party
ut the South, are not merely willing to see the
Union dissolved, but earnestly striving to bring
about the awful catastrophe. The Calhoun wing
of that party are laboring hand in hand with the
Black Republicans of the North for the accom-
plishment of the same end, and this they do not
hesitate to avow in open daylight, in the teeth
of those of their party who pretend to be con-
s~ervative and profess to regard the dissolution
of the Union as the most direful OF all calamities.
When our Democratic contemporary at this
place, published week before last, the atrocious
sentiment of tho Lieutenant Governor OF Rhode
Island, that he would give $4,000 to see the
Union dissolved, it looked strange to see such q
paragraph printed in glaring capitals in the col
umns of that journal, without a word OF COM
ment. The object of its publication in such an
imposing form, we presumed, was to show the
spirit of the Black Republicans and expose their
black designs upon the integrity of the Union
But we wondered why the Findieator had never
published the equally ~atrocious sentiments utter
ed by prominent members of the Democratic
party, and referred him to the language OF
Brooks and Keitt. In its last issue that paper
endeavors to fasten the odium of the language
used by the Rhode Island disunionist upon the
American party, by announcing that he was
elected Lieutenant Governor by the Know Moth
ings. Elected by whatever party he may have
been, we do not hesitate to condemn and de-
nounce his sentiments. II, however, the Amer
lean party is to be held responsible for the Ian
guage of this Black Republican, because they
elected him Lieutenant Governor Of Rhode Is
land, is not the Democratic party equally respon-
sible for the language Of Mr.. Brooks, elected to
the House of Representatives by the Democracy,
and still belonging to that party? At a recent
meeting of the people in South Carolina, at a
public dinner given to Mr.. Brooks, he avowed
sentiments not one whit less Objectionable than
those of the Rhode Island Republican. Accord
ing to the Charleston papers it was tone of the
largest assemblages ever gathered in South Car
DINA; an assem,5lage Of Disuni0nists-of think
ing men, scAo are e~onrineed that the preservation
of this Union, eoith0ut the ertremest dishon0r Of
the South, is impossible. There was but one
voice in this great assemblage-he Dissolution
of the Union as accessory TO our salcation."
Mr.. Brooks in his speech made on this occa-
sion, used the following language:
ave have the issue upon us now, and how
are we to meet it? l tell you felow-citizens,
from the bottom of my heart, that the only mode
i. - r ALL o,o.ioblo g.. p,oot.r~ ;k 40 saot 10
tear the Constitution Of the United States, tram
ple it uader foot, and form o Southern Contsde-
racy, erery State of mhich wiU be a slare-h0lding
State. loud and prolonged cheers.] believe
it, as I stand in the face of my Maker-I believe
it on my responsibility to you as your honored
representative that the only hope of the South
is in the South, and that the only available
means of making that hope affective is to cut
asunder the bonds that tie us together, and take
our separate position in the family of nations
These are my opinions. They have always been
my opinions. Ihare been q disunionist from
the time I could think"
Now, if the Democratic papers can find any
stronger disunion preaching than the above in
the Black Republican ranks, we should like to
see it.
In the course of his harangue, Mr.. Brooks
stated the ground of his opposition to the cleo
ton of Mr.. Fillmore. he would support Mr..
Buchanan, exactly as a good hearted physician
continues to give medicine to a patient. when
he knows he is dying. ST he is a kind man he
cannot wound the family feeling by refusing to
do so. He is willing to make the trial and take
the chances, although he knows in his heart that
it cannot do one bit of good. Now,I know that
it is the case here. / viii act the part of a good
hearted physician to the Democratic party. ii
will give them Buchanan pills and if they do
them no good, | shall console myself by the re-
Election that | have done my duty. / am oblig-
ed to vote for him. His opponents are Mr.. Fill
more and Mr.. Fremont. Now Mr.. Fillmore is
privately q very respectable gentleman. He
made a good President and | believe sincerely
that if elected he would desert his own party
and make a better President than We think
But that is the Gerry thing I don't pant. / am
afraid he acouM do so aoeU that he mould throp
back the prospects Of d'sunion."
Here, then, says the Baltimore American, we
have the reason fairly stated why the Southern
Disunionists, and they are now the ruling spirits
of the Democratic party, oppose Mr.. Fillmore.
They are fearful that he would make too just
and impartial u President, that he would quiet
tue SecLiOudi uiSlui uauCeS VI TIE country, anu
thus 'tar0so back tie prospect Of disunioR."
The assemblage to which Mr.. Brooks unfolled
his disunion schemes was also addressed by
Gov. Adams, of South Carolina, Senator Butler,
Senator Toombs, and Col. McGowan, all distin-
guished Democrats. Without using the same
frankness of speech as Col. Brooks the uniform
tendency of their remarks was in favor of dis
union. They had many words of approval for
him but none of dissent against the doctrines he
had advocated.
This is the party which p~erceiyes such enor-
nifty in the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Is
land, and censures the American party for elect
ing him to that office. Why do they give grand
Jstss to Preston S. Brooks! Why dom they
print his language in capital letters in their
and denounce their own party for
him to the House of Representatives 4?
are simple questions, but we imagine they
cannot be easily answered.
Fugitive Slave Captured. |,
Mr.. VIM. i. Crawford, of this county, return
ID from Baltimore last week with q negro man
who had escaped from him some months ago.
He had received anonymous letters, telling him !
hat the negro was in Pennsylvania, but would |
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