The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-11-24
From the Edgefeld AdrertiSeI
What are we to Do2

lue Democratic IartS mas sustained
such serious defeats IN the late Northern
elections rs to render its future fate a prob
lem Of great interest. Hitherto many of
US had hoped that the justice OF its cause
would continue its dominance, us a party
in the country, to :hc extent of controlling
the legislation Of Congress and the adj
miristration OF the Government. But the
recent Developments are of Il character to
reduce this hopefuIness to narrow and
doubtful basis. True, VS. cauno, say that
the days of Democratic power are mum
bered. 1t may be that some reaction will
take place in the Northern mind in time
to save the next Presidential Election to
the Democracy. There would seem to be
ground for this expectation, in the ultra
sectional platform Of principles already in.
dicated by Seward. The tendency of his
ultrasisn may possibly be, 20 arouse the
sound men and property of the
North to p true sense Of the dangers that
threaten the Union; AboNtionism may
defeat itself by its own hot haste. Yet
the immediate signs of the times are full
Of meaning and dark with coming ovil.-
The tide appears at present to be against
our section, wha tever reasonable hope of
its ebb is yet left us; And it is surely a
period when Southern men should take
counsel together as brothers and ask H.
mong themselves the important question,
"What are we 10 do {"
Our intelligent correspondent from
Washington makes calculation, by which
he arrives at the conclusion that the Dem-
ocralic Party NAV suIl control the next
Administration. But this, it seems can
only be done by coalition with Doug Ass
and his Anti Lecompton wing Of tue Dem
ocracv. Now, the first question for the
South to consider is here presented -
Can, she, as Sc ton, cOaiesce with
man who has proclaimed principles III re-
gard to the territories So dlscordant with
her own cherished views? Or can she
rs the great element Of Democratic
efn fTdiestohS, at It's Tine time Of need and
who, by the arguments he has used 10
save himseIfa at home, has not only weak.
ened the Democracy in the estimation Of
the country, but has afforded direct moral
aid and comfort TO its bittcreSt political
foes. and the bitterest opponents of South
ern welfare Shall the South, can the
South do this For one, as at present
advised, We would say that she cannot 90
so consistently with either sectional hon
or or party faith. We regard Douglas
detection as the chief evil agency in the
late untoward results at the Northern
ballot.box and it may thus come to be
regarded as the ''dreful cause of woes un
numbered" to the American Union. As
politician, the Illinois Senator is doubt.
less powerful, and able too as a states
man. But we have ever feared him, since
his two-!aced advocacy Of the Kansas and
Nebraska bills,-touching one chord for
northern ears and Il totally different one
for Southern. lie stands forth, to us, in
the light OF An ambitious and dangerous
leader of men. In one point of view. he
is to the Democratic Patty what AchiI.
les was TO the GrecIan Camp: able and
brave enough in fight, but too sensitive
TO the luxury Of command to harmonize
with other leaders for the common good.
He Is worse than this we fear: there is
already ground for thinking that he wouIC!
sell tie camp to the enemy, ifit were need
ed to promote his own greatness.
But it is said, if we do not co operate
with Douglas the Democracy is down for
ever. Ii may be so, And ye; it does
seem preferable to risk that result rather
than fralernize again with one who has
n already deserted the field of his friends,
and who may do SO again at their hour
OF greatest peril. II he and his followers
are TO come into the Charleston Conven-
ton of 1860, we trust it will only be un-
der the ban of ceusuTe, or upon a full re-
cantation Of error. Whether they come
or not, the South, as matters now stand,
sdOuld claim the control of that Conven-
tlon's action rs sine qua non to its or
ganization. She should not only claim
recantation and Submission from the
Douglas faction but she should sternly
see to it, that no Tariff faction raise its
voice in that coanc II the face of the
things at the North shall not have become
changed before that time,the South should
claim TO arrange the order of battle IN the
Presidential canvass; and she could so
arrange it, that it should either terminate
in victory TO our banners, or he the las.
political struggle of the Union. The great
and sufficient argument for this course il
found 10 the truth, that the direct issue of
dIsUnioD has become necessary, to strength
EN- the friends Of order and justice at the
North, and to ensure to them, and to our
selves, triumph within !he Union, or peace
without il.
IL has been suggested that the South
ern Legislatures should ut once take into
consideration the subject, With view Of
preparing in time for sou.e mode Of con.
serted action, should the approaching
emergencies of our position demand it.
Would that it were done Would that
Georgia, or Texas, or Alabama, or any
other State, would take the initiative of
reform or disunion. As for our own State,
she needs to do nothing She should
leave the matter to the wisdom Of her sis
tsrs She is ready whenever they are, to