Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-11-07
rhs state of. the coun,rr.

yentionists plotted against the Union; they were
excited in 1872 when the Missouri restriction was
adopted; they were excited during Gen. Jackson's
term OF service, when he encountered both the ma
tonal bank and notification and strangled them
they were excited in 1850, when the compromise
measures" were adopted, and in 1854, when the
Missouri restriction repealed; but on no former
occasion have the fountains of public feeling been
so troubled deeply stirred as they at pres
ent On the 9TH of this month nearly five millions
of voters went to the polls and voted for the most
part on sectional basis that portion of them pro-
Tossing the true principles of the Democratic party
being for the first time in the history of the
try largely in the minority, while geographical
party, constructed on principles of deadly anagon
ism to fifteen States of the Union must have polled
not less than one-third Of the entire popular vote
The result of this election will soon be known. The
hopes entertained by patriots in all sections that the
termination of the struggle would be fortunate for
the country, have been mingled with gloomy appre-
tensions. If the result has been favorble to Lin
coln-if the people have chosen him President the
excitement, already great will be increased tenfod
but if election has been made by the people, the
fact that the contest must be decided by the House
of Representatives will not tend to diminish exist
ing apprehensons. In either event We may as well
prepare at once for exciting and stormy times be-
tween this and the 4th of March.
At the North we hear threats, and taunts, and
jeers, emanatng from the radical portion of the
black Republicans, relieved it is true by the mod
crate temperate utterances Of such as Ewing
and Corwin; while at the South and especially in
the cotton States, the noise of preparation for ress
lance is heard with startling distinctness. South
Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi regarded
already less committed to secession and re-
sistance. Virginia encourages them by the tone
of many of her public journals by the ntlammatory
language Of some of her statesmen and by the
| formation of companies of Minute Men," whose
mission it will be to overawe and control public
| opinion. North-Carolna, though by no means
indifferent spectator of passing events and though
keeny alive to the future, is nevertheless calm
and collected any of the middle States and will
be ready at the proper time, to indicate the policy
which in her Judgment will be necessary to main-
tain the Constitution in the event of Lncons cleo
tion and to protect the interests and honor of the
slaveholding States.
The Union of the States has been put in jeopardy
by the aggressions upon the rights of the South Of
sectional party. That party mainly its exis-
tence and its strength to the repeal of the Missouri
restriction, act of simple justice to the South.
| The Northern non-slaveholding States have
majority in the Electoral College and can therefore,
defeat or elect they may choose the candidate Of
this sectional party. 1t for them to say on
yesterday, whether the present excitement should
H. llo e a.
South should have an assurance, by majority of
their votes that their purposes friendly and Con-
sttutional should be left to infer from contrary
course their part that the influence of at least
| department of the common government should be
directed against of their cherished domestic in
situations This fact that the destiny of the country
is in the hands of the North and the general con-
viction that the day may not be distant when the
| entire South must be united as one man. will &C.
! count for the absence of bitterness between the
great body of the people belonging to the BreckiR
ridge, Douglas, and Bell parties in this and other
middle States
The Constitution of the United States is the
wsest and most perfect instrument that ever pro-
ceeded from the hands of man. Immortal in its
principles its trainers seem to have provided by its
checks and balances for its perpetual preservation
One department of the government which it estab-
| lished may be in the hands of bad men, while the
other departments, directed by patriotic counsels
may operate as checks to protect mnorties until
the people, the source of all power, can be again
consulted and their wishes ascertained One branch
of Congress check the other; both branches of
| Congress- either, check the President; while
the Supreme Court, in the performance of its high
duties in the last resort nterpose the shield of
the Constitution between both its coordinate de-
partments and the States themselves, and say "thus
far, and no farther" 1t by follows there
fore, because bad men or bad principles hold sway
in any one department of the government, that the
government is dissolved If Mr.. Lincoln was elect
ed yesterday, it will be the duty of the Southern
people, whatever he may say in his Inaugural, to
strengthen their defences in the Union and to pre-
pare for any assaults that may be made upon them.
1t will not do for them to abandon their own govern
| ment-a government under which they have as
many rights, and in which they have as deep an in
teres the North-because of its three depart
ments has been turned against them. Neither will
it be wise to make threats or give way to passion.
Brave men act-they seldom threaten. Mr. Lincoln
has enough common sense to know, and he has seen
! enough of human nature and of the Southern peo-
pie to know, that it would be most daring and
dangerous act in him. or in any President, to touch
in the slightest respect the vital interests of the
slaveholding States Fifteen proud and powerful
States like those of the South can incur no risk in
maintaining their places with dignity in the Union,
and waiting to see what department Of the gov
eminent will attempt against the other two depart
ments and against them.
But still hope for better result than the cleo
ton of Lincoln 1t may be that New York has
saved the country. We shall soon know the result