The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-09-12
Separate State Action,

The question of separate State action
has been sprung in several Districts n this
State, and in our judgment most unwsely
at this time. Before there can be necessi-
ty for its discussion, there must happen
two contingencies LIST. the election of Lin
coin to the Presidency and 2dly, the fail
ure Of the Southern States, or anv part of
them, to unite in dissolution of the Union
in that event. The election Of Lincoln is
by no means sure, and if he is elected.
there is strong probability that four or
five, at least, of the cotton States will unite
IN the formation Of Southern Codfeiera-
cy. So that the time is not yet when the
question OF separate secession should be
mooted, and the agitation Of it now, ccn
result in nothing better than division and
dssentons among ourselves, at n period
too, when Of all others, we should endcav
or to be united.
1t is not only calculated to SOW dissen-
tions at home; it also indicates in usu
distrust of the other Southern States.
several Of which are partially committed to
disunion in the event of the election of
Black Republican to the Presidency and
our want of confidence in their stability of
purpose, thus manifested in advance does not
Lend to barmonize us with, and knit us
more closely to our Southern sisters, ob.
Jects OF the first Importance TO US and TO
the attainment of which al! our efforts
should be directed. it is the development
OF restless feeling of isolation peculiar
10 South Carolina, which never did and new.
er tan find sympathy among the co States
of the South. Then let this question rest
for The present, at least; it is impractcablc,
In advance of its time, and in no view that
We can take of it,&ill its discussion be pro.
ductye of good
We cannot now call TO mind any contn
gency wherein it would be, in our judgment,
advisable for a single State to embark up.
on the untred sea Of secession, eycept il
might be, under the highest assurances that
such step would lead to co'operaton.-
But even admitting that We are wrong in
this view OF the question (Which however,
we are far from bclicving) We still insist
that It's discussion now is inopportune-
Our public men in forcing IT upon the peo
pie subject themselves to the charge of an
intent to SOW dissenlions among them, or Of
having some ultcrior object in view; and the |
people when they force this issue upon
their public men are dealing unfairly with |
them; for what prudent counsellor can |
feel himself prepPred, in view of the rapid |
changes that are continually taking place in !
the political world, to say now, what we |
should do six months or n year hence p |
Let us not move in advance of tie times, |
but bold ourselves in readiness to deal with |
public issues Is they are presented to US.
The ether question which is discussed
in many places to wit: whether the South
should dissolve the Union in the event of
LincoIn's election, is more pertinent. 1t is
question which belongs to the Southern
States in general, and it may under prudent
sa-"-ei. nave the erect 10 unite them. Re-
gardng We do the dissolution of the
Union simply as n question of time, we look
upon any issne that will unite the South,
whether it be the election Of Black Re-
publican or something else,as the great des
reach.