The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-22
DISUNION AT A DISCOUNT.

The following paragraphs from Southern
newspapers show that the talk of disunion in
the event of the election of a Republican Presi-
dent is mere empty bravado, and that no other
effect is expected from it than to frightep
Northern doughfaces into acquiescence in the
demands of Slavery propagandists. Governor
Wise, in 1856, was among those who threatened
dsunion in the event of Fremont's election !;
but if the following paragraph from the Vicks-
burg Whig can be relied upon, he has seen the
folly of his course, and now treats such threats
with scorn. We trust that this is the case.
His organ, the Richmond Enquirer, can inform
the public whether this statement is substan-
TALLY true, or whether Governor Wise still
chngs to the idea that the election of Repub-
ican President will of itself furnish sufficient
Justification for the secession of the South. If
We are not mistaken, the Enquirer, some two
years ago, repudiated the idea of disunion upon
such an issue and we shall be gratifed to
know that Governor Wise does likewise. That
gentleman is prominent candidate for the
Presidential nomination, and notwithstanding
the Donnelly letter, we regard his prospects at
Charleston as not inferior to those of his COM
petitors 1t is therefore important that he
should define his position upon the question of
Union or Disunion.
The Yicksburg Wing is responsible for the
following story
when we hear of such threats of disunion,
made by those redoubtable politicians who ap-
pear to breakfast, dine, and sup upon gun-pow-
der, round shot, and chain lightning, it reminds
us of conversation between Governor Wise
and one of our citizens few weeks ago, in the
Capitol at Richmond. The Mississippian 1.-THE
man, not the newspaper was anxious to know
of the Governor if he did not think the Union
should and could be dissolved in the event of
the election of a Black Republican. The Gov
ernor was careful not to express an opinion,
but, with twinkle of the eye, aud an emphasis
peculiar to himself, remarked that be had had
some little experience in such matters on a
former occasion. At one time, in 1856, 1T was
confidently believed in Virginia that Fremont
would be elected President, and crowds of fire.
eaters, who swore that death was preferable to
submission, and that something must be done,
hocked around him to find ont his opinion as to
what should be done in such a terrible crisis.
Resist, by all means, gentlemen, said the Gov
ernor; never think of tame submission to such
State Convention? By converting the Legis-
lature said another BY Convention of the
Southern States said third. 'Oh, no. said
the Governor, by none of these means-they
are too slow-too fuctuating and uncertain
How then2' cried the excited and resolute as
semblage. What shall be done p 'Whyl
said the Governor, tear up the railroad, and
take possession of the National armory-appro
pirate all the public property-take possession
OF the Government stores at Norfolk, while
will march fifty thousand men to the Capitol,
under your lead, and resist the inauguration by
force, and take possession of ali the public
property. tits true that in a few days there will
be force enough in Washington to hang every
one of us; but d-n a man who has not patriot
ism enough TO die for his country. Come, gen.
tlemen, what say you? said the Governor,
land as he shifted his guild to the other cheek,
ascornful smile crept over his pale face.) They
turned as white as sheet and, like the crowd
that accused the women taken in adultery. they
commenced going out, until not one was left.
And / will be d-dl' said the Governor. sif
this Is not the last / have ever heard about dis
union in Virginia.
From the Richmond Wing.
nm