Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-08-16
RICHMOND WING.
.rUuDAY MORNING. AUGUST ie, 1880.
To CORRESPONDENTS.
An Old Line Wing OF Massachusetts.

In another column will be founl letter from Mr..
Curtis, an old line Wing Of Massachusetts,
The tone and substance Of Mr.. Curtis letter will
attract general attention. The considerations more
specially addressed to the people of the North We
trust will not DO without weight in that quarter
They are addressed to their interest and these, with
most sane people, exercise a commanding influence.
But fanaticism, which is species OF arrangement,
when il takes possession of the mind, is stronger
than interest and disrcgaris the dictates of reason
Of religion and OF humanity. Over those, therefore,
whom the niger mania has infected, We cannot ex-
pect the appeal of Mr.. Curtis to have the slightest
influence Whether those 1hus infected constitute the
nrity at the North remains to be tested by the
result Of the elections In the uncertainty, 1t be-
hoves the South to be prepared tor the worst; aud
in that contingency, the views OF Mr. Curtis with
rcsn,et IN the consequences of Black Republican
snc,ess are pregnant with serious warning to the
South We believe that he does not in the least ex-
aggerate those consequences. The denial oil the
equal rights Of the South t. the common territory of
the Union-though the first and but single step
is by no means the last which this sectional faction
mediate All the other aggressons referred to by
Mr. Curtis would follow rs surely effect follows
cause.
We believe that no intelligent man can seriously
consider the subject without coming to this conclu-
sion that abolition success in this election would
be but the orerunner of continued and still vi
olent aggressons upon the rights of the South
With this certainty hanging over us, in the event
Of the abolition triumph, it becomes the South TO
be prepared to meet il Us Ii is by far the gra
question brought to our consideration since the
Declaration of Independence, and it is grave, SO
om,ntOus in its consequences, that we should be
ready in advance to encounter it. We should coun-
sci together and determine beforehand the precise
line of conduct which we will pursue Not defer
till the time for action what we will do and then be
ready to do nothing If submission be the course
preferred let mitigate the disgrace of tiff that
be possible-by quiet and graceful submission
If resistance be in the heart aud head of every
Southern man, let steps be taken and taken early to
render that resistance effective If wait till the
enemy have possession of the common government
and common treasury, we will merit by our folly the
cruel fate in store for u.s.
Advocating we do a man opposed to all section
asm and who will be fair and Just every portion
of the Union, had hoped by his success to avoid
the necessity of determining this great question:
We do not vet despair Of his success 1t is still in
the power OF the balotbox to save the Republic
from CONFUSION and dissolution. 1t is still in the
power Of the conservative of the confederacy,
If they could have concert Of action among them
selves PROSTATE the sectionaists in both sections
of tho Union But feel it the duty of every
Southern man to provide for possible contingency
on the happening of which our fate free commu-
mites will depend. The Southern Democracy, by
joining with the Northern Republicans in making up
sectional ISSUE have committed fatal blundcr-
II they had the patriotism the manliness and mag
nanimty at once to confess their and retrace
their steps, the evil might be remeded. Butt they
equal this effort Of moral courage but will
persist in running already beaten candidate; as
they claim 10 be the dominant party South, we call
upon them take the lead in measures for our pro-
lection aud safety The empty, vaporing resolutions
OF the psst-whch the Charleston I.rcury is right
in characterizing treacherous and decetful-will
not suffice for the future The approaching crisis
demands something more solid and substantial