The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-02-26
From tie Montgomery .idr,rtimr.
HOW TO PRESERVE THE UNION.

oy cultlVatinS iratcrnal feeling amongst the
States, and securing to each section the un-
disturbed enjoyment of its constitutional
rights. s."-ScRdtor Weller.
The foregoing sentiment, sent by Senator
Weller to Il late Democratic celebration in
Ohio, announces the only reliable means of
giving perpetuity to the Union. But it seems
TO rs that farlernal feelings" would hc Il
- consequence Of the "undisturbcd enioymcnt'
of constitutional rights 10y each scction.-
We eau scarcely perceive how first they can
he cultivated, except by the adoption Of Il
course which, if it do not secure, will at
least not prevent the enjoyment Of rights.
1t may be that our views are very narrow
on this, rs we know they arc OH many sub
jects-that it is entirely wrong for us not
to cultivate fraternal feelings towards those
who spend their lives almost from the era
die to the grave, in 4 systematic assault
upon rights, they are bound by the most
solemn compact not 10 modest. 1t would be-
and We acknowledge it with all humility
Better to 6 love those that hate us. and pray
for those who desl'itcIulIy use u.s." But we are
human. and it is difficult for those who find it
impossible, from their weakness, to practice
IN private the sublime prccepts Of Chris
; tlanity, TO be guided ty them in public af-
faifs,. when tic subject matter Of contro-
Sersy appeals 10 them rs men us well us
patriots Letus, by all means, cultivate fra
: ternal sentiments {; but in the enloav"r to do
SO, letus never forget that they can only he
made permanent !'y observing ourselves,
> and making Others observe. the conStitu-
tional rights Of all. This, VIC know, is very
iltra language, and ul,raism in matters re-
latiug to tile rights Of the South is in these
latter days, ut least, suspicious. There is
10 "lions moull,' III which 50 grave u
charge against ones "n.tionality" can he
deposited; but it can lr whispered in the
l'y-ways, and limited in the prints. and scat
tered abroad as though it had been written
on the syhyiinc leaves and blown about l,y
the winds. There is, We fear, reac'ionary
feeling amongst us-a disposition to aban-
don the noble ground taken by the South
in the late cauvass.-to cuital our demands
for right 10y Il feeble milk and water pol
icy.
1t is getting common to dcnounre ana
prescribe men because they were Southern
;,patriots and ultr:.ists to call tl,e,n forsooth
sectionalists," not. recognizing the fact
that in sectionalism alone, WAS true conscrv
;.tism, Uniouism willie the men who as
pirel to the fame of nationality" souyl.,
se.'si,y, compromising; by shor,-sigh.cl cx,
pcdients hy Il timid vacilaiun - by
:. ireaclicrous concession. In $50 the Dem
z. ocratic party Of Alabama was ultra; some
of our friends differed with lis, AMI were
: siling to watch and wait Perhaps it WIS
.sthe better policy VIC say nothing Of that +;
but soon we all stood together again. and
the Georgia platform was our basis Of union
,4TIe Democracy in 1855 again hecamc one
homogeneous party in opposition to the
s, Federal doctrines and proscriptivc tcncts
I of Know,Nothingism. In 1856, they stood
in firmer. pl':lanx,.: supporting the Cincin-
natl platform. It gave the Southern ultras
all they asked; they were willing to risk
their political fortunes and honor in main
!, staifihgst.
'sf It is,n 4 fact Which no well informed man
:. will deny, that it was the finn and unyicId-
: Jug position. Of these "utraisls that
ssstreugtheneda aud upheld the Northcr:, Dem
ssssocrats-s"ch men us Toucey, Weller, J..
Clancy Jones, Pugll, Willard, and host of
ssotirers; in the contest against fanalicism.-
.riey could point to the ullmot""s thus
! announced by the men Of the South, who
: REPRESENTED not only the Southern feeling,
! h9ttlie constitutional doctrines Of the South,
and sdstnand tint they should come up to
|. aqeiseInepts, and restore the Union to
~ giaas policy aud purposes. Every
& & esidanee Of yacilixtion-cvcry symptom OF
& khess- and -disscnsion-lias relaxed the
energies AND sScitod the fears of our Naix,hs
orr friends Could they, can they fight our
g katssss when we waser in the conflict, and
!. bahg odta flag Of ,ruces Tie Northern
pemocrats, with every. disposition to, do us
jgstiee have been placed in a position
gyliie1 almost forbid ..by tire course Of the
s allofa people. TleS have never A,nder.
f stood low i wasthat men who appreciated
interests Of the South, who had tho ca.
PaSst tosund darssapd berPosi,ion and wants,
e asssna great social institution, aplAh courage
painlain aud defend ii; who compre
5 her. altitude IN The Confederacy, and
ssiogs and eor, could poin. out
tLe psstand dangers Of TIC
n d lsNl iSsl,e asked only a5strict obser
3 - q Ies pnstitutioIml rights, should
80 a. ii !gctsd sbs o6lsspy Of being "ul
81 Tough tfas.J,ad demanded