The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-08-20
Correspondence of the Charleston Mer
curry.


The growing probability ofthe election
Of Fremont in November, by the united
voice Of ,hc Northern people, and the GER
tainty Of the final triumph of the Black
Republican party, even if defeated now,
suggest powerfully, the immediate impor-
,ance of considering the issue which must
sooner or later, be presented to us. The
crisis which Calhoun predicted is at hand.
Are We prepared for il! Have we,
while defending the outworks-the con-
stitutiomal barriers which surround Ills
been preparing also for the assault whicl,
is, sooner or later, TO he made by the in,
Yaders Has the wisdom of Calhoon
been as good seed even in his beloved
South Carolina--that noble old State oil
noble men and noble fame--bringing
forth tentold in due season! will t.:
ask it we have an united South. But
there is an united North. This anti-sla.
very sentiment, so long denied ty South
ern national men God save the mark J
and so long diverted from its course at the
North for local reasons, is at last up and
determined to do or die. The question
has changed ip the last two weeks. 1t is
no longer asked, "Will Fremont be elect.
ed I" but, "Wil the South resist his cleo
tion2" The Baltimore Clipper has launch
ed forth on this question, anl asserts that
the South would submit, and appeals to
the good sense, the sober second thought,
Of the people.
Government is basel on one Of two
principles-mutual interest or foice. Mere
affection has no more to do with Govern
ment than with Banking. A people to
continue together in purely political un
ion, must have, as the law writers have it,
mutual interest. There must he mutu-
stand. Where is the unity Of interest be-
tween Iowa and South Carolina-be;ween
Maine and California lfthe Union were
dissolved tomorrow, ON what basis of
Goverpment would linoise and Vermont
form . compact The European systems
are all based On force, emanating from
some sufficient central power, and repre-
sented in tue ramitica,i6ns Of each depart
meut.
The American Union WAS formed for
the common welfare and the common de-
fence. This is the written consideration.
The distinction Of Race in an,agonism to
the distinction Of Glass, is truly an impor-
tapt element in our Republic but it was
purely accidental, and is even now the ex-
cuse for the sectional purpose of the North.
ern States. The people there cannot see
that this antislavery crusade must either
annihilate us, or Africanize themseiccs.-
The first would be represented by servile
war, blood, fire, and the desolation Of the
fai5est portion of the continent the other
would thoroughly debaunch and reduce
to condition Of meniaIage the whites of
the North. With such results, just as in
evitable as that the sun will rise in the
East and set in West, in November, what
is the common bond to bind us, rs , peo.
pie, longer togetherl The election of
Fremont would certainly (f anything ever
willy unite the South. And yet it is
very grave question, whether the mans
success, accompanied by all the ,egrada-
ton Of the principles and platform avow-
cd by his party, would drive the South
where she should have gone in 1850, and
where she must GO eventually to preserve
her equality and rights-that is, into a
separate, compact, united Southern Con-
federacy.
It is not a step TO be hastily taken, and
yet,the necessity may come on US rs thun-
der from a clear sky. In time Of peace
prepare for war.
R0IEAR