The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-08-29
MISCELLANY.
The Sign Of the Times.

Benton's defeat in Missouri, and the tri-
umph of the Democracy in Arkansas, Tex
ns, North Carolina, and Kcntucky--wl licl,
last was supposed to be the stronghold OF
the American party in the Soutll-l,avc
produced some strange rcvulsions. The
Benton Democrats, we are informed, have
dropped their own Electoral ticket, and uni
ted with the anti-Bcntonites while the Fill
more party has divided into two wings
the Southern going for Buchanan, and the
Northern for Fremont. These statements
are not yet positively verified, but their
truth is very probable. We are indebted
to our own telegraphic reports for the form
cr, and to that of the Standard for the latter.
So far as Mr.. Fillmore is concerned, this
course Of his friends but realizes what the
elections have made arparcnt-thc hope
ecssness of his cause in the South as well
as the North.
The letters Of the two ScuatorS from Ma
ryland, advising the people Of that State to
support Mr.. buchanan, went fur 10 extin-
guist, his hopes, where before they were so
sanguine aud confident. And then this
fout ID Kentucky comrrle!cc!y bcwildered al, a.,
the calculations Of his friends, and forctold
fiis doom in the other Southern States. Mr..
IsillfuarGs only expectations were in the
South. At the North, there was not /; sin
) gle State upon which reasonable hope
could be based /; and therefore, in the face
Of the developments at the South, nothing
was left but to write the verdict already de-
.clared, and withdrawn him from the field.
TO remain, would be only TO enibarrass the
success of Others, without bcnefitting him
SELF Regarding Mr.. Fillmore, then, rs in
fact out Of the contest-whcther withdrawn
or mott becomes matter Of interest to
consider what effect his withdrawal will
:: have upon the chances of the two competi-
'sssdors, Buchanan and Fremont.
In the first place, it is clear that it will
not affect Mr.. Bucllanan's prospects in the
South. The recent elections show how uni
ted the South is in support of tile Demo
cratic nominee, and how idle are the efforts
of the opposition. Mr.. Fillmore's with.
drawal, therefore, will only secure to Mr.
Buchanan larger mnjorties in the South
without in any degree affecting the final re.
suit. Mr.. Buchanan's strength in the Elec
toral College, so far as the South is concerned
will be neither increased nor diminished by
any course Mr.. Fillmore's friends may sec
fit to pursue.
But how will it affect Mr.. Buchanan al
the North 2 This is the point most impor
tant to the result. With the infinite shades
of existing opinions, the force of merely 10
cal interests and prejudices, the ani,nosities
of old party divisions, and the thousand
other elements which must enter into the
calculation, it is, of course, impossible te
predict with accuracy what the effect at the
= North Of the Withdrawal of Mr.. Fillmore
But this point, we think, must be admitted
ON all:hands:: that it will bring to Mr.. lsuch
lianans support the conservative feeling
Hitherto wasted on Dir. Fillmore Divided
/. Between Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.. Fillmore
the conservatives of the North offered, il
some States, an easy victory to Black Re
n1hficanisfn, But united in favor of MI
buchanan, they will; improve his prospects
where, till now, they have been gloomy.
cannot be supposed thai, ia contest be
tweeB tie DemocraIc party and Black Re
pnblicanism, the Northern conservative
VIII bss;tate in their choice. < ,s.
On The other band. it is stated that MI
Fiiimores Northern friends intend to with
draw him In favor Of Fremont. A, ,strang
specimen ef.party faith, when Mr.. FiIImor
las DECLARED that he regarded the success
ofFremont az the dissolution of the Unioni
But IL does not appesr improbable, whe
we reflect that Mr.. Haven, member Of III
House from New York, formerly the Ia,
partner, and now the confidential politics