The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-24

We confess that, until recently, we have meyer
| so believed. or thought, or dreamed but there
is now no installing the temper and purpose OF
the Southern people, and the ominous signs OF
the times
The politicians and editors of the Republican
party are labering under a terrible delusion,
| which we wish we could remove from their
minds. They appear to be of the opinion that
the Southern States have no idea of seeding
| from the Union, no matter what may happen.
Least of all do they suppose that they entertain
any purpose of going out of the Union in the
event of the election of Black Republican
President in accordance with the forms of the
Constitution They consider all the talk about
secession and disunion at the South as nothing
but buster and humbug, and we readily ac-
knowledge that the Boosting resolves and r.
dieulous threats of Southern extremists in times
past would justify such conclusion. But
times and circumstances have changed, anl
nearly all men at the South have changed with
them.
We invoke the Republican editors and poll
ticians to dismiss the fatal deusion under which
they seem to rest, and to which we have already
referred. The present is no time for trihng or
for misunderstanding between the North and the
South. We repeat, therefore, what we have
already distinctly intimated, that the only sure
hope aud guaranty of the Union and of the 1
public peace hes in the dissolution and disbands
ment of the Republican party. 1t is threat
ening and insulting sectional organization,
based upon the single idea of opposition to
Slavery and the South, and no Southern man
can support its candidates or cooperate with 1t
in any manner or to any extent whatever.
Men-thoroughly conservative and moderate
men-who never heretofore entertained des-
pairing thought of the Union, have begun to
despair now. and believe that the days of the
Republic are well nigh numbered. There is
but little apparent excitement in the South at
the present time, Notwithstanding the aydacity
of the Abolition invasion at Harper's Ferry;
but there is a quiet, silent determination per
vading all ranks and classes of Southern men,
which will brook the insolence and aggression
of the North no longer, and which we have
never known to exist before.
What particular measures, however, Virginia
and the South should adopt, is left to the calm
reflection of the Southern people and the wis
dom of their respective State Legislatures.
We appeal to the Northern people to con-
slider well this matter before it is too late
There is danger-imminent danger-ahead, if
the Republicans persist in clinging to their
separate and distinctive organization. 1t must
be abandoned, if they desire to preserve the |
Union. And yet we confess we have little hope |
of it, in view of the recent elections. But as a
conservative man and a Union-loving man,
and yet as a Virginian and Southerner, we |
have discharged our duty in giving calm and |
timely warning to the Northern people, of the |
fearful precipice over which the Union is even |
now hanging. With them is the responsibility. |
As for Virginia and the South, their own safety |
is the first duty and that duty will be fearlessly
met, regardless of consequences