The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-09

tion 10 reconsider tho vote by which the |
bill was passed thus indicating our iudis-
position to protract contest in which we
differed from so many of our friends. But
if any practicable good could here been at
tanned by the amendment of the conference
bill. or by the substitution Of the Senate bill,
or something more desirable, of course we
would have voted for the reconsideration.
do not recognise mere party success and
party supremacy as paramount to all con-
sderations ofprinciple. would conccde
Ihuch for the harmony Of the party am
acting wlh--a great deal for the harmony
OF the party of the South-but what |
would concede must fall short OF the con-
cesslon Of principle involved, in my con-
cepton, in the conference bill.
think these measures should be fairly
canvassed, in order that the South shall
clearly comprehend them, and realize the
complexion of her probable future. But she
can now make no issue upon them with the
North, nor can the making Of such issues IL,
the South be productive OF any good there.
Moreover much rs dislike the measure,
| have no words of complaint against those
who felt it their duty to support the con-
ference bill. They are as deeply interested
III, and as true to, the interests of the South
as J, aud probably better judges of her best
policy. This whole Kansas controversy but
exhibits the difference Of opinion which will
exist among gentlemen who look with equal
soliciuLc to the welfare Of their section.
The Conference Till is now the law of the
Land. The South is in the Union with no
issue before the country tending to its i'm
mediate dissolution. Her policy should be
kept steadily in view the taking Of her des-
tiny into her own hands when the occasion
which requires it shall present itself, and in
the mean time, to grid her loins for the
race which is set before her by the High
Priest OF Republcanism, and TO cooperate
with that party, which alone of the two
great parties of the country Profcsscs to
abide by the Constitution as or fathers left
1t to lis, so long rs that party Is true to the
constitutional rights of the South. The
next two years will decide the fate of this
Union. The Democratic party, somewhat
crippled 10y its division on the Senate bill,
though perhaps not to he subjected to
Waterloo defeat, is the last hope Of those
who think the rights of the South can be
preserved in the Union. The battle Of pre-
pondcrancc i'll numbers Of the free over the
slave States, it is true, has been ,fouyht om
'con.' But the battle Of preponIcrance in
the two Houses in Congress between the
frcpds and enemies of the Constitution is
now upon the country. Ifthe Republicans
shall win the day, the greatest battle of
them all-the battle in defence Of the insti-
tuti"ns Of the South will have to be fought
-shouH the Republicans make good their
Mrc0ts-on another and different firhl
The discussion ofprincipics is always health
FIJI, but division Of the South, at this juno
turc, into bitter parties on these questions,
would he deeply to be derloredsand Should
earnestly be avoided. Ii is the part of wis.
dom i'll her people to profit by the knowl:
edge Of the past, and to prepare for The
worst i'll the future. Mr.. Calhoun in his
last great speech delivered in the Senate,
begun by saying: 4 have, Senators, be-
licycd from the first, that the agitation of
the subject Of slavery would, if not prevent
ed by some timely and effective measure,
end in disunion' And in speaking Of
Washington's example, in deciding to resist
British oppression he says we find
much i'll his example to encourage us, should
we be forced 10 the extremity of deciding
between submission and Lsunion.' That
great statesman and pure patriot was then
fast approaching his final dissolution. With
the vision of a seer, lie predicted the exist
ing state Of affairs. And could he have
survived, and have heard the ANNOUNCE
mcnts which have been made in this, and in
the other end of the capitol, during the
present session of Congress, as to the future,
policy Of the Government under Black Re.
publican rule, he would have said to bis
countrymen, the period is now near at hand
aud disunion.'