Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-01
Paving the Way for Disunion.

it not to approve it in any sense but to show the
nature of the feeling in South Carolina against the
Union We deny that the present Union is not the
Union according to the Constitution. The States
are now absolutely equal Notwithstanding all the
talk we hear of late about the equality of the
States" The Constitution still erists and binds the
Union together. And the Mercury, with those for
whom it speaks, will be apt to find in certain con-
tingency that there is a government of the United
States as there was in Gen. Jackson's day.
The UNloN-The Union of the Constitution, we
presume nearly all men in the South, desire to be
perpetuated. 1t is the bond of our fathers, and as
their children, we will maintain it. But do the
dangers and agitations which now shake the United
States arise from the Union of the Constitution p
If it does, then the work of our fathers is most in
adequate to our times. We maintain, that these
dangers and agitations are the result, not of the
Constitution they transmitted to U.S. but of its over
throw The Union it established, does not exist
usurpation and encroachment have drawn into the
vortex Of Federal power interests which were
intended, by the Constitution. to be embraced
in its operations. The General Government under
the sectional predominancc and policy of the North,
has become omnipotent in the laying and appropria
ton of the taxes; and now stretches its authority
over slavery in the South. The Constitution under
such usurpatons of power, it virtually abolished
and the Union it established, is virtually dissolved
Hence the dissatisfaction in the South, and the
fiict between the North and the South, which must
end either in the Union of the Constitution being
restored, or in the South being destroyed by the
sectional deSpotsm of the North under the auspices
of another Union, established by power on the one
side and subsection the other. Nor is the test of
the true condition of the South, very far Oft The
elections next fall, must settle the question of
Northern predomnance- complete sectional
dcspotism over he South, of yet another chance
for Southern deliverance As things now are, the
probability is that the Black Republicans will sweep
the North, and command the Electoral College in.
the Presidential election. Now, in such condition
of things is it truthul-is it polite, in the South to
deal in professions of devotion to the Union? Will
they prepare the people of the South to resist the
sectional despotism of the Black Republican party?
With full knowledge, of the fatal effects to the
South of the possession and control Of the Federal
Government by the Black Republicans and Adolf
tionsts Of the North, do not such professions in
evitably tend to submission to their rule? Ought
not the people of the South, rather, to be aroused
to full sense of the perilS which hang over them,
and be prepared to meet them, and to control their
own destinies? What is now the Union?
l. 1t is Union with the Northern States.
2. 1t is a Union with the Northern States, who
have nulllfed the Constitution in the Fugitive
Slave Laws.
3. 1t is Union with the Northern States, who,
for twenty years. have kept up in Congress an agi-
tation against Southern slavery.
4. 1t is a Union with the Northern States, who
have determined to exclude the Southern people
from settling with their slaves, in any Of the Terri
tory of the United States
6. 1t is a Union with the Northern States, who
have organized their sectional power, to rule and
govern the Southern States as their interest ambi-
ton or fanaticism shall require
Z. 1t is Union with the Northern States, who
have overthrown the Union of the Constitution and
have substituted in its stead Union having their
despotic power the sole criterion of It's terms and
limitations.
s. 1t is Union with the Northern States in
which party predominates, whose vital principle
is hostility to African slavery in the South; and
whose policy it is to extingush it.
Q. 1t is Union with Tariff plunderers, who, by
the Tariff Laws of the Federal Government. apprO-
pirate the property Of the Southern people to their
use, ard make them their tributaries.
IL. 1t is Union 18th Treasury plunderers, who,
by unconstitutional appropriations, drain the Treas
ury of the United States for their sectional enrich
ment and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
II. Briefly, it is Union on the part of the South
with her btterest revilers, hatcrs, oppressors and
enemies.
Now, that any man in the South, who realizes
the truth of the above positions, can lore rere
renee the Union as 1T ersts-is an utter impossible
ty. Lying lips may utter praise-and cowardy
heart may refrain its murmurs but the meanest
political slave must hate despotism which scourges
and threatens to destroy him. Love and hate not
under control God has constituted the hu-
ran heart that We can love only aohat Is lOrely-
and we must hate what Is morally aerong and de-
testable. We do not wish to judge others harshly
but it does appear to US, that in the South
can ioce or reverence the Union 1T erists but one
who is at heart an Abolitionist. Many may tolerate
it, under the hope Of reforming it. Many may re-
member and love it. it was in past days of useful
ness and glory, when it was the Union of the Con-
stitution. But now-as it is nou without the Con-
stituton-eiM its furious sectionalism and its anti
slavery fanatcism and policy at the Norththe only
feelings in the South which it nationally inspire,
those of d,strust, fear and contempt hate If
you have still hopes of reforming it, and Of again
renstating the Union of the Constitution-say SO
but to accomplish your object you must condemn
the Union as it is. If it is worthy of your devo-
tion-why reform it? What are all your opposi-
ton and complaints, but hypocrtical rawlings, for
| factious ends?