The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-09-15
The ELECTION of Black Republican to
the Presidenc '.

Gen. Bonham, in his late speech at Edge
field Court House, lengthy extract from
which we publish elsew here in this paper,
n Black Republican TO he Presidency
should be sufficient cause for the South TO
dissolve the Union II would in our ueiu-
ion be unwise 10, the South to commit her.
self in advance to this doctrine let the
question rest somcw hat as to ,pho the scrc
tion may fall upon and the strength of the
party that placed him int" power, with the
probable results of their success. II is not
impossible that Black Republican NAV be
elected in 1860 not, however, by maj0ri.
ty of the people, and the only chance for
them To succeed is in the event that there
are three candidates in the field. If they
succeed in this way, being largely in the
minority, and opposed by conservatives
of all sections, S,ey will not be in n con-
dilion to do the South material injury I; and
in this condition of affairs, the South, VIC
think, might safely throw herself upon the
defensive aud bide the attempt 10 carry out
any Of the measures alleged as constiiu-
ting the Black Republican programme
The other questi"n-,oho of their party
will be elevated TO the Presidency, deserves
! consideration. Should, for instance, the
choice fall upon the dishonnrcd Sumner or
the gracelcss Fremont, the dignity Of the
South and of all other sections Of the
Union, not lost TO sc!f respect, might well
be aroused and the clcvat ton Of such u,en
would be followed by rebellion, secession
Objectionable than these and their policy
will be TO place in nomination some cne OF
their party, the least rcpuIsive 10 the pco.
pie at large. Seward seems now their
most prominent man and Douglas, if we
mistake not, is drifting into line and soon
the shout which proclaims his complete
conversion will be heard from Que end Of
the Union TO the other.
Should Douglas and the large party that
he would necessarily carry with him, become
| incorporated in Inc Black Republican ranks,
thtre will not likely be more than two can.
didates in the field ia 1900 Democrat
and a Black Republican, and the Democrats
will, without much question, be successful.
The present Indications at least argur that
they will have ali overwhelming majority
but should the converse prove, true and
Black Republican is elected, We sec no good
reason why the South should make this
the bare fact of clrciion-the signal for a
dissolution of the Union We are stronger
in the Union now, morally and politically
than at any time since the question of thu
abolition of slavcry has divided and d,trac
ted our country, and we may we'll net npon
the defensive in the event of the emergcn.
cy und d,r contemplation. When they usSail
our constitutional rights. by carrying into
effect any "f the Propositions which their
alleged programme contains, then il will be
time enough for the South to act. ard act
she should dcci,ively [; but not retreat from
dange, that may never happen. Rather
lei us brave il, conscious as We are of our
own rectitnde Of purpose and strength Of
P"o't'H' "hu the sipnai VI our ueicat, III de-
fea'ed we are, should be the signal for Il
separation from those who would curtail
our constitutional rights.
If we make the bare election Of n Black
Republican President an ultmaium. il will
be seen when the issue comes that We ha,
gone point too far, disiFection will spring
m Ia our ranks md The SnuIh ,yill r,,.d.
from 1t. Let us take n position that we
can maintain with every show Of reason and
right and when once taken, carry it out at
all hazards. With a Black Republican
President, the South will be peculiarly sen
sti'e upon the subject "f her rights, and
We entertain no doubt but that With the
first act Of aggression she will be ready for
the remedy Of secession
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