The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-11-11
From the Washington Conststutiors.
"THE IRREPREssIBLE CONaICTn


The question cannot be too often or too
earnestly pressed upon the public mind,
"What would have been the result of the
Harpers Ferry insurrrectionary movement
if Mr.. Seward had been in the Presidential
chair?" The avowed champion of "hiG CHER
4aw1sm," the author and propagandist of
that false and Infamous doctrine of irrepres-
sible conflict" which seeks to convince the
people of the North that the only terms
upon which the Union can be maintained
is the determination of the institution of
saveryin the Southern States; the man
who has done moro than all others 10 con-
soidato the anti slavery feeling of tho North
into political organization pledged to an
unceasing war upon the Constitution of the
country and the rights of fifteen sovereign
States Of this Union; the Presidential
candidate who relies for success upon the
support of men like Wade, Wilson and
Giddings; who proclaim to the country
that the great object of American patriotism
is TO tear asunder the bonds of friendly
brotherhood which hold this great Union
together; who, by their ppublic speeches in
The Senate Chamber, in the House Of Re-
presentativcs and upon the hustings, have
phrcnzicd the public mind on the subject
of slavery, and some of whom have not
hesitated TO invoke the aid Of British arms
in the fou! and bloody, work Of negro re-
bellion andsiasurr tion.-We4 e4repeat the
question, what would the President elected
by such men, and surrounded by such in
Auences and associations, do in the event
of another Harper's Ferry outbreak? What
would have been our condition today if in
the place Of President Buchanan, the
Constitution and the Law, we had Mr.
Stewards "higher-lawism" and ''irrepressible
conflict" in possession of the Federal Govern
ment Would Mr.. Seward have stayed the
arm Of the bold marader who had been
stimulated 10 his murderous work by his
own doctrines and teachings? Would Wade,
Sumner and Giddings, as his constitutional
advisers, have counselled the enforcement
of laws which they pronounce Infamous,
and the punishment of mem whose deeds
are glorifed by them as acts Of the highest
hcroism Not only SO, but what would
have been the effect upon Brown and his
associates If they had felt conscious that
the President Of the United Estates and
the party in possession of the Government
sympathized with their movement, and
would therefore hold them harmless for
their crimes and outrages? These inquiries
need no answer at our hands. Tho man
whose mind does not realize the truths
which we seek 10 illustrate is lost 10 reason
and argument.-No man who loves his
country, and would preserve its institution,
will fail to appreciate the magnitude of
the subject. The danger, for the present,
is past. We rest again in peace aud Sc
curity. The Constitution and laws of the
land have been vindicated; the prompt
and decisive action of President true to
his oath of office and faithful to the, re:
quircments of tile Constitution, has effec-
tually queleds this dangerous movement,
and at the same time, rebuked the laYless;
spirit which instigated its Inception. So
much for the past. We have now 10 IDEAL.
with the future. Let the people see to it
thatno man and no party is elevated to
office and power who will fail in like
emergency to do their duty. Mr.. Seward,
and the BLACK Republican party, rely upon
tho North for-success. Their organization
is sectional and HSsiples are sectional
If eless,ed to pd4 mustsbe done by
tllstN orth and hsaS ayts and re-
sponsibility Of saving tH from the
rnachiqssiens and des,gh Tbs man and
his party rest siih our Northsfn brethren
TO the good and, true men of all parties
at the North these facts appeal ;Sand We
cannot doubt the answer that an intelligent
and patriotic people will make.
a. :
A QUESTION IN 0prfcs.-At-CoE.
:Iege, thesenior class was under examination
:fpt degrees. The prossRr Of Natural
Pbilodopby ywas badgeri6 a1s boys IN optics.
The point under illustratien was that,
strictly, ,apd scientifically speaking, we see
not objects but their images deRiessl on
the retina. The worthy professor, Ms Msorder
at make tile matter pIainerssaid to the wag,
Of The class, eME Jacksop, did you ever.
actually seq sour ifatbefa a''-ssN %, sir,n Biif
promptly replied. Please; explain to; the
COMMITTEES why;syo never saw your own
fatber Because = replied M William
Jaeksop, very, g.syely, s"hs died besofs1
aas born" 80 < S = Z 5 :. ~,