Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-12
THE DISUNION CRY.

For the past twelve months, it has been the con
slant occupation of the extremist press to urge the
necessity of Immediate disunion, or preparation for
sorno impending crisis which will call for such DIR
nier resort. But these croakers are too we'll known
TO excite any real apprehension among Union loving
men, North or South. The fact s, that the honest
and Simon Pure disunionsts per Sc constitute but
email squad of the so.called extremists. The main
body is composed Of macontents with the present or.
ganization of the Democratic party who ready TO
seize on any topic which offers opportunity for agta
tioR and thus promises to throw the party into p and
create the necessity for arrangement of its per.
sonnel which may suffice to elevate some discontent
ed gentleman in the scale Of political Importance
Experience has already demonstrated that some Of
our politicians, who continually preach the doctrine
that Southern rights endangered by the continu.
Of the Union, not adverse to covert league
with abolitionism ITSELF il such league will guaran
tee Themselves an increased share Of power and pa.
tronage.
But whether corrupticgor fanaticism constitutes
the primal element of dsstructioust organization, the
organization is, itsef too weak to offer uncovered
front on the field Of popular contest 1t resorts to all
the indefinite outlines and vague uncertainties of q
phantasmsgoria. To this day the public ia unnform
I'd as TO the nature or the extent of the impending
danger of dsunion 60 frequently and positively as.
serted, of late, in generates This species of
operation has it's advantages 80 far as the partial suc
cess of its promoters are concerned The conserva-
tive men of the country, sound to the core on the
doctrine OF Staterights for the sake of the Union,
and the Union for the sake of .rights-honest
and brave though they are-are yet only men, after
ALL and, like all men, they may occasionally be hoax
ed by false reports and startled by needless appre.
tensions More than that, they may be deceived
temporarily, into fighting shadows, by nriguers
whose Interest it s to divert their attention from the
substantial issues which demand public attention.
Thus it is that few organs Of the conservative
press have lately exhibited symptoms OF apprehen-
sion for the safsty of the Union. Whispers circu-
lated to the effect that something Of concealed impor-
tance is now in process of concoction among mem.
bers of Congress, which threatens speedy outburst
of sectional contention. Let us not be deceived
Members Of Congress are not possessed Of an excu-
sve privilege either to read the signs of the times or
to control the tendency of events They may do
much TO obsruct and more to assist certain popular
movements. But there are some things in our poll
tcal world which are far beyond their reach. 1t re-
quires the warmth of sovereignty itself to hatch dis
union, and not sovereign voice has ever yet pro-
nounoed in fnvor OF dissolution. Newspaper CORES
pondents may discover mares nests-honorable
members may sirug their shoulders and wear mys.
terous violent demagogues may raise loud cry
of false alarln-a this and more may become matter
of daily recurrence, and yet the Union will remain
tI,o hon fha Ia
Of the Statesi
The treasure Of the Union and the treasure Of
State Rights are both entrusted to their keeping.
There is no danger of their being lulled into false
security. When they are called upon to prepare for
the worst-to face disunion itself for the sake Of
States Rghts-ther answer will be- Z" we are already
prepared" Especially is it unnecessary to excite
the people of Virginia by repeated clamors to pre-.
pare for war in the midst of peace. Strong and self
reliant, our old Comnonwe can in safety the
bonds of sisterly affection In common with all the
States of this coniederacy. She is no pigmy to be
ohsf.d by the gentle bond of love and Union, and
power on earth is strong enough to convert this chain
OF voluntary Union into the shackles OF tyranny, even
in her moments Of deepest tranquility. No over.
wrought excitement-no defiant attitude towards
ther members of the confederacy, is necessary TO
maintain the dignity, the honor and the sovereignty
of Virginia.
And no imaginary danger will suffice to diminish;
by one jot title, her loyalty to the Union, to which
she has given much for which che has endured 40
much, and by which she has gained more than she
has given, more than she has suffered.
There is no present danger of dsunon. simply be.
cause there Ia no proximste cause for disunion Con-
servative Democratic need only prepare to defeat an
attempt against their party organization. This Ia the
only danger which can possibly result from all the in
trigues and csmors which affect to assume the form
of movement for dissolution of the Union.
THE DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH MINISTRY
VIEWS OF THE PRESS THEREON.
The London Times, in referring to the defeat of The
British ministry in Parliament. states that the rea
question was whether Lord Palmerston had or hac
tba of tbo in ~,