The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-10-23
HON. JOHN MCQUEEN AND THE PRESENT
CONDITION OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

The following is au extract from n letter,
in answer to an invitation to the Brooks
dinner by the lion. John Mcqueen
We have arrived at Il period in the af-
fairs of this Republic as portentous us it is
trying and insulting to the South, and those
even who do not wish to, may as well un-
dcrstand it. Abolition has loomcd up will,
n progress and rpidity, recently, that those
Of lis who were most apprchcnsivc, were
scarcely prepared TO witness. 1t is now
strong and arrogant enough, to control the
most numerous branch of Congress, to elect
IL speaker who would not decide whether
we, or our negroes are the superior racc-to
cloy the wheels of the Federal Government
at will-to engage in open rebellion and
war, and murder our friends for DARN. to
claim equality in the Territories purchased
with our money and our blood and more
than all to nominate an ordinary Licutcnan.
of the army for President of the United
States, wi:lio": eve" desiring or asking the
cooperation Of a single Southern State
with the determination to subduc the Soutl,
below the condition of province, to de-
stroy her honor and rights, and ultimately
to reduce us 10 equality with our slaves
and authorize them to claim, AS now Ly
law in Massachusetts, to associate in our
families and marry our children. If they
succeed in this election, | trust all will
agree with me that the Union is dissolved
"nd ouyht to be dissoirci, for there eau no
longer bc union Of interest, Of right, OF
property, of sentiment, of honor or equality,
and the election of Fremont will proclaim
it to the world.
Should Buchanan be elected, the Union
may survive for time, aud possibly bc
preserved, provided Democrats he Demo
Gratis, and statesmen maintain their position
and administer the Government accorlin"
to their professions and the Constitution,
and look, much less, to Offices and plumber.
In my judgment the year 1850, in any
event, will settle the matter, and think it
our duty to await the result of the pending
election-watch we'll the signs of the times,
and bc prepared TO act as becomes men
capable Of approaching their rights and
honor, and with the spirit to maintain them
at any every cost.
If forced by the Norll, into a Southern
Contederacy, l have no gloomy apprchcn-
sions either for our honor, our happiness,
or the institutions Of slavery. Indeed, in
view of the fate of the Roman Republic,
and the history Of our own Government to
Tie present moment, am doubling more
and more, that a Republic can well exist
without the institution Of slavery. a very
large proportion of the Nortl, constitutes
now but mad f.natical raLblc, with all
the wicked isms of which man can conceive,
reepudiating God, the Bible, the law, martial
rights, or the constitution, and it it were not
Tor the extraordinary extent of territory in
which their wickcdncss may he Diluted and
the conservatism Of the South, they would
ere this, have been consumed by the infer
nal fires Of their own abominations. Truly
may it be said Of them, with all proper
honorable cxccptions) "tllosc whom God
would destroy, he first makes mad," but
am admoDished must close this already
too protracted letter. Allow me to offer
the following sentiment:
The South, the beloved South; she will
never be reduced to the condition cf Massa-
chusetts rs long rs the example of Col.
Brooks is in the memory Of her sons.
Tile Vert Congress- result of the
elections held on the 14tl is important in
reference to the political character of the
neSt Congress- IL is believed that tho