The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-09-24
KANSAS AND THE UNION.

Since the formation of the American Re-
public, cighty-odd years ago. many has been
the storms through which the old ship of
Stale has successfully passed, and has calm
ly and proudly maintaiI.ed her supremacy
amid the angry and surging billows around
her In 1882 her strength was tcsted--shc
outlivcd the storm-in 1852 it broke upon
her with rcdoublcd fury, and although she
shook and tottercd from stem TO stern, and
her pilot troubled with doubtful forrbod-
ings, still she was prcof against tho surging
elements borne against her, and was enabled
to settle in comparative quiet, when these
were exhausted. In 1856 the political hori-
zon is again lowering, ard in our humble
opinion the strength of tie Republic is
about to be tested in manner. compared to
which, all other attacks dwindle into ins. g
nilicance. Scctonalism is raging in It's
worst forms; party, large in number and
formidable in political power, with dissolu
tion or "bolitonism inscribed upon their
banner, arc clamorous for her destruction;
civil war exists upon her western frontier,
and all the horrors incident 10 such unnat-
ural strife, are bcirg daily brought to our
notice. Still we are ploddin" along, as IL
nothing important were tranSpiring--as if
our country were enjoying the most pro-
found peace and harmony.
The result OF ihc issue in Kansas. no one
can furcsrr, and whether il terminates in
favor or against the South il threatens alike
destruction TO the Union. If against hcr,
unless she is beaten in Il far and honorable
contest nj the ballot box, under no cousid-
cr;,tion--noi even for the sake of the Union
itself should >Ac submit to the ignominious
defeat The most buntcd sense of honor
would be aroused. and all the disadvantages
She must undergo from an aggressive move |
mrnt, should not deter her from action. On |
the other hand, should the strife going on |
terminate in favor of The South, the aboli. |
ton horde. already reckless aud vNa>pcratvd, /
would increase their clamors for disuniuu, |
and nuiiuug snort Of ubUlIIiUnISm or DISCO
lu,I'u, is likely To satisfy the frcnZird mono
mania, of which they are certainly Possessed.
Th;s last, however. j. the lesser evil, aud the
The acquisition of Kansas TO ihc South is to
our section ut least, a matter Of the most
vital consequence. With the moral and
physical advantages which the victory
would give US, we could bid our cEcmrs
lctiancc--could awe them with the strength
Of our position, VIZ, right and Ihr Cuns,i-
tuition as our shield.
a question which should engage the
minds OF every patriot, is, what is thc duty
If the South, at this time, IL regard TO Kan.
,as! Those Of US who have hitherto been
ukcw"rm in the cause, have given rs a rca-
ION. that in the Executive is vested the au-
hor,ty 10 qucII disturbances existing in the
crritories, ard that any aggressive inter
crcncc ir"m us, would bc un"aIlcd for. ard
,ouII be- bringing ourselves in opposi.
ION tu tAy tOIvcs of tho United States.
oppose that The President, from som" cause,
hich we cannot IatI ON. refuses 10 act, or
: only acting 10 such an extent, rs plainly
nGicatcr the urilicicncv of his efforts; then
What are We To do! Wait for his rAcrtions
q be redoub!rd, which wcacv 40 Indication
i-waH when the din Of battle and the
cath cry ui SOuthcrucrs are ringing in our
arc! President Pierce has shown him
elf to Us as profound statesman. and as
he rosscSsor of ~ mich moral courage. rs
yer falls 10 the ,ot of inan; now let him
how his qualities rs n General. The crisis
rmaudN AT his hands prompt ard energetic
elton but if The present miscrably inchi-
lent course is 10 &c pursued, it would be
ar better 10 withdraw all national ntcrHcr.
nee. and let sections, II il must be so, fight
hci: own battles, and decide the contest for
themselves This course possesses at least
'Tc mcrit-that Of equal fairness