The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-12-15
UNION MEETING.

We notice that the ansi-sympnthisen Of Bnowx
have held meetings in many Of the Northern
ctes, to rebuke tho sentiments Of the sympa
thisers W i,h The late treason enacted al liarpers
Ferry. At one Of these anti Brown meetings
a very able speech, from which We muke the fol-
ing extract:
How then are the rich blessings we enjoy un-
der the Constitution to be preserved to usl How
are the frightful evils that would folIuw from
its destruction TO be avoidedi Are we called
upon, in order Ia continue these blessings 10 sac
rifice any principle Of morals. any obligation of
rational consciencei Certainly not. We are,
on the contrary. only required to do what every
principle Of sound morals. every obligation Of
rational conscience damands. We are only re-
quired honestly TO keep orr contract, entered in
to after full deliberath'n and reflection, accord
ing to its letter, yea. and according to its spirit
That some Of the provisions Of the Constitu
ton may interfere with tho peculiar views some
citizens may entertain. affords uo reason against
it's obligatory force. 1t is new notion in the
law OF contracts, that one party may repudiat-
his part Of The obligation, because he finds il in
convenient or disagreeuble TO comply with it.
There some grace for reputation for want Of
means. none for want of will. The Northern
States knew the South possessed slaves, as most
Of them pnrsessed slaves themselves. They
knew that b, agreeing to surrender persons
.. held to service aud labor in one State escaping
into another" they agreed to surrender fugitive
slaves. TO the South thia stipulstion WINS a sine
qua non. 1t was conceded {; and unless We
mean 10 destroy the Union to avoid its execution
il must he complied with. There is no middle
ground to assume place left for equivocatun
to occupy. The letter of the Constitution is
clear, It's obligation is absolute. Tim, the Con :.
s.,tution contains provisions repulsive ~,me in
divid. ais, even some States, was what was
anticipated by its farmers On This point, w ash
Ington, in the letter referred 10 remarks .
'Fhat it (the Consttu,ion) will meet the foil and
entire approbat ion Of every State is not 10 he
expected; but each will d"ubtless consider that
had her interests been alone consulted, the CON
sequences might have been particularly disagree.
able or injurious tn others that it is liable 10 as
few exceptions as could reasonably have been
expected, We hope aud believe thai it may pro
mote the lasting " welfare OF that country 81, dear
TO rs all, and secure her freedom and happiness,
10 our must ardent wish"
Such is the language OF Washington. Had
the spirit OF amity which he recommended been
always cultivated had those mutual conces.
sIoDs which the pecuHrity Of our poliIinal sitna.
ton rendered indispensable" been aIways recog-
nized by the respective States and their cit izens,
the necessity for such Assem- bly, as the present,
never wonld have arisen. But we have among
| us men who. ~ the pulpit aud in the forum. o.,
the highways and IN the byways. nre repudnting
the Constitution and its CONVERSIONS; drnonncing
The domestic institutions Of our sister States in
atigating in their midst domestic insure ciion
sad revolt, organizing political parties OH the
hasis of interfering with their institutions. and
deaying their equal and unqualified rghis in the
coaaa,ou territories OF The Union.
Whst has been the natural harvest Of sucl,
noxious germs sown broadcast over the Inudi -
An shoriise. but . dangerous attempt 10 excit..
a servile revolt in sister State; a trenS,,uble
invasion Gs t.er ungaardeA fLontisr, ,and the mur
der Of her Peaeesble ciiizens. resting jn unpre
pared seculty under the mgis Of the Const,tu
tion and laws Of tie UnioD. Are iLr.e things
ever to be horne With pstience3 is no effort 10
| be made to crush the fauatic anl t,easou ,b .
spirit ta"t is fas. swespng into the dark sbyes
! OF dissolution and consequent civil var9 The
| assemhlnge before me gives. in a voice Of tbun.
! der. tt'e response 10 these questions The true
people OF Tho North ure arousng from their le: b
argy: everywhere they are raIlying in their force
| arounc the broad banner Of tho Constitution
on which 10 iascrihad "rLe Union must aud
shall be preserved" Wo to the parry or poli,
clan who stands between them and their hxse
reso I've.