Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-10-25

BSs~ The Herald of Monday asks whether las le-
gsator) we would vote for North Carolina to secede In
the event of Lincolns election
We would respectfully state that do not think the
Legislature is vested with the power of secession in any
event. That is question for the people through Con
v6nton 1t is an act of sovereignty only thus to be ex
ercsed. So in opinion the question of the Herald
does not apply.
Per the election of man, according to the forms
of the Constitution would be ground of secession but
ncW the choice of President is not simply the selec
ton of an individual to fill certain high Office 1t is
test of systems and opinions, and the election of Lin
coin would thus be- not simply the elevation of lii
nois politician to an undeserved honor, but it would be
the Inauguration of system Swallowed forth in Senator
Stewards doctrine of the irrepressible conflict"
system directly aiming to undermine and destroy the in
situations and the vested rights of section Of the
Union Whether that is thing to be submitted to and
endorsed, we leave the Herald itself to say. We most
honestly believe that it is the fixed determination of the
Northern Free Sell majority hereafter to use the power
of that majority totally regardless of the rights, feel
ings or interests OF the South We fully to that
conclusion last August brief trip North We still
hold to the opinion and the election OF Lincoln by
majority of the Northern VOTE and by that alone will
far to confirm this and to show that in fact secession
would be only form-that already are two people
that one people, controlling the majority, have
under the forms of the Constitution, wholly excluded
the other people from any participation in the choice
of chief magistrate, and determined hereafter
to exclude them from any power whatever IN making
the laws to which they must submit, Or in the words Of
Senator Douglas, be hanged as high as Hanau.
The South would have neither part parcel in Lin
coin. Before his term would be out, she would be a.
the mercy Of sectional majority in both houses. He
only privilege would be to obey while it would be the
prerogctiUe of the Northern Free Sellers to command
and the part of the Army and Navy to enforce these
Free Soil behests.
1t is not simply slabsided railspttiug Illinois poll
tcian that we look att is the system he represents
the sentiment of which he happens to be- by virtue
his position, the embodiment. We speak only for
selves when we say that think the peris surrounding
submission are greater than those attendant upon al
opposite course.
1t is true that for the next two years there will no
be this state of things. The Free Sellers will not hav
full control Of the government but the election of Lin
coin will prove that the absolute control of every ranc
is within their grasp and that grasp will be place.
upon them. Then when the legislative and executiv
departments so arranged the judiciary must follow
The South would then be poweress. Her Senator
and Representatives might just we'll stay at home
The South would cease to be element in the govern
ment. 1t would be mere tributary appendage. Th
election of Lincoln would be the first step towards re
ducng her to that position. The others would be Gel
tain to follow. What then?
No man tell precisely what the future may bring
forth. No man can say how far the summing up of th
vote for Lincoln may or may not indicate solid NORTH
ern majority directly opposed to We are not egl
lators, neither would our counsel go for much in an
way but, for little Or for much it shall not be give
to advise submission pledges in advance for we mus
think that in certain contingencies and under certai
circumstances, all Southern men might be, and woul
be, forced into resistance.