The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-11-16
The Seces sion Movement.

We devote considerable space, this
week, to telegraphic dispatches showing
the progress OF the Secession movement
That intense excitement prevails among
the people Of the Cotton States, is very
evident. To what excesses il NAV carry
them, before they shall have taken the $50
Der second thought" and turned deaf ear
to the insane appeals Of their partisan
leaders, we know not, though it is 20 be
hoped that favorable re action has al.
ready begun. We choose to believe, until
convinced to the contrary by stronger
evidence than the gasconade Of the Fire
Eaters, that a majority o! the people
even Of South Carolina, are rot such con
summa'e fools as to be betrayed into acts
Of hostility to the Federal Government
for the purpose Of perfecting the wild
scheme of a Southern Confederacy. If
Slavery has not done its perfect work in
all the Cotton States, there must remain
conservative element in their society
which will surely be felt when the time OF
action comes.
According to the Constitution, "treason
against the United States shall consist
only in levying war against them, or in
adhering TO their enemies. giving them
aid and comfort" Mere words, however
defiant OF Federal authority, or even the
resignation Of United States Senators
anxious to make cheap display Of de,
Yotion to Southern rights, does not con,
stitute treason. There must be some
overt reasonable act, and such an act W.
have yet 10 learn has been committed OF
seriously contemplated. Sensible South
ern men, of whom there are not n few
well know that the alleged right OF peace
able secessior-the much-vaunteG Con
s,itutional right 10 abrogate the Consti
tution--has no existence and that tn,
only right Of secession is the right Of rcYc
luton, to be enforced by an appeal t
arms. They well know how utterly vair
would be such an appeal.
All this talk about secession is worse tha,
idle. South Carolina may "resove an,
re-resolve," but, until she eau change tn
face Of nature, she will never. either singl
or in company with other rebellious States
withdraw from the Union. One effrc
however, her action will have: 1t wi
deepen and intensity the hatred, now s
general at the North, Of the atrocior
system which has corrupted the morals
her public men, and for which she prc
claims her readiness TO sacrifice the Coz
stitution and the Union. We give pla'
TO so much Of her bravado. because il a
fords striking evidence Of the "Barba
ism OF Slavery" and OF the necessity
our Republican triumph.
Another effect the policy of South Car
lima NAV have, of which it is we'll for Sout
ern men to be forewarncd in time: il IN
produce revolt among tho slaves, who ca
not DO wholly ignorant of it's nature al
object. They are taught to believe that 4
Republicans are seeking their immedn
emancipation. Minute mon are beiug c
ganized in all the Cotton States. whose 81
nihcant motto and battlecry is, "Rosistan
10 Lincoln is obedience to Godp u VIII
must DO the effect Of all this Will II ma
the slaves more contented and obeden
Far from il. On tho contrary, it is not II
likoly that the first blow in defense of t
Southern Confederncy, would provo t
signal for revolt OF thousands Of ignoru
and degraded boudmon. Let tho lor
mouthed Secessionists boware, lest, in tn
mad zeal in bad cause. they may rails,
storm which thoy cannot rule. They ha
mot boen molested in tho enjoyment of tn
Tights-they have only been defeated
their choice Of President; and. if for Il
thoy would attompt tho destruction of /
Union which alone protects them, M
their own heads must fall the conscq uenc
Tho Union will be presorvod-the sov,
eighty of the People will be maintained.