The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-21
Washington, July IL, 1859.
RULE OR RUIN.

We have frequently, under this caption, IL
lustrated the spirit Of the Black Democracy.
They have so often succeeded in carrying cleo
tons in the free States by threatening disso-
luton of the Union, that they still cling to it
as an infallble specific. Such gasconade will
only excite merriment or contempt in the minds
of the independent voters of the free States.
The appeal to PENNSYLVANIA to save the honor
Of the chivary, and secure them another lease
Of power and the spoils, will be in vain. There
is not the remotest chance for the Black De
mocracy in Pennsylvania for the next two years.
Having been betrayed by her own " favorite
son, she will not be likely to trust a nominee
Of the Charleston Convention, with a slave code
and the African slave trade for his political
creed.
From the Washington States
Col. Boyce stated that he would regard the
election OF a Black Republican President as
sufficient cause for the South to dissolve her
political connection with the Federal Govern
ment'
such a declaration, coming from a sober
minded, unimpassioned, calmrefectng patriot,
should arouse not only the Democracy in the
u0n-slayehoding States, but also the conserva-
uves, 10 sense of the danger attendant upon
the official introduction Of Sewardism into the
Executive mansion.
Colose Boyce does but give currency to the
general and abiding conviction OF the most con
servative of chivairous gentlemen in the slave
holding States, when he deliberately asserts that
he &" cannot consent to remain in the Union but
as an EQUAL, and that in the event of the cleo
ton of Black Republican President, I" there
1rg,tRld l.. my fba 81
Union"
An opinion prevails, even in Democratic cir.
Giles i'm the North, that the South-wherein the
cry of disunion has so frequently been heard
from rabid secessiOnists-wil stand the con
solidation of the war programe of Seward also
Let such as entertain it be undeceived.
The slavehoIding States will act upon the
principle that All honorable death is preferable
to an ignominious life. We call upon the non
slavehoding States to relieve them from the
awful dilemma in which they will be placed if
Sewardism is triumphant. We call upon Penn
sylyania and Illinois, in particular, to patriotic
ally ward of the blow aimed at the honor and
the interests of the South. Pennsylvania can
do it alone. viii she, can she refuse2 Illinois,
We arr. persuaded, will not but alas she has
not within hersre..tf the power to prevent the
catastrophe.
shoulder to shoulder in other days in their de-
votion TO practical principles, to be alienated
upon abstract questions? What is there in
Democracy better than in any other political
party, if it is not prepared to make any sacri-
ice for the sustenance of constitutional right,
against INSCRIPTIONS, inflated might, as EN-
bodied in the Seward manifesto?
Ex-senator r. Barnwell Rhett, Of South Car
al tbo 4 n of T,,lx hr
a Pro-Slavery disunion Grafton at Grahamviile,
in that State. The 4th of July 1916, was con-
secrated to Freedom and Union, as a perpetual
holiday Nj. Rhett perverts il to the unholy
cause OF Slavery and disunion. 1t is we'll
known historical fact, that there were more
Tories than Wings in South Carolina during
the Revolution. Whether or not Mr. Rhett is
descended from the Tories, we are una
BILE to say, but We hope he was. 1t would be
Notifying to know that any Of the generous
and selfsacriiicing Revolutionary patriots Of the
Palmetto State are represented by such man.
In his grafton, he uses the following Ian
guage.
IT, in the Presidential election, our rights
are victorious, then We have a guaranty and
an augury Of better future IT. on the con-
trdJy-chich think most certain TO be The
case-hen, my friends, let as separate from
the North let the glorious day-spriag of a
Southern ConJcderdcy at Iehgth arise uron our
troubled counsels know full we'll how difficult
1t is to break any Government, but the princi
| pies With which your ancestors threw off the
British Government are 10 this day still alive
IN your bosoms."
| Mr.. Rhett is not singular in the position he
here takes. 1t is common to the Black Deu,oc
racy of the South. They are willing TO remain
| in the Union so long as they can rule il but
strip them of the honors and emoluments of
| Office, and they demand dsunion forthwith
Every member Of the party in the Gulf States
takes this position, and even Governor WISE
and others in the more Northern slave 5t.ies
occupy it, Rule or Ruin is their maxim.
! The Mississippi Democratic Convention. at
its recent session, passed resolutions in favor of
the right of Congress to protect and guard
ries; ia favor Of the acquisition Of Cuba and
in favor of regarding the election of Black
Republican President as declaration Of hos
tility, and Of being prepared " in such an event,
separately or in concert, to cooperate with
sister STATES of the South in whatever measures
i they may deem necessary for the maintenance
4 Of their rights as coequaa members of the Con-
4 federacy" How will this platform Be regsrded
: BY the Democrats in other States?