Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-29

rather than think and acs for themselves-there is
yet time to save the Unon and secure for the next
four years, an Executive who will be true to tne
constitutional rights of the South. Let the Bell
meu, the Breckenridge men, and the Douglas men
agree to unite upon the electoral ticket IN each
and every Southern State-let them if thought
best, designate on the ticket which of the three
candidates named they may prefer-and let an ar
rangement be entered into flor when there is will
there is way) by which, in case the election OF
Lincoln can't be prevented then the electors to vote
in accordance WITH and in proportion to, the popu
lar vote given to each candidate respectively:
The apparent security and unconcern which pre-
vail among the Southern people, in view OF the dan
gers which environ US, are utterly ncomprehenslble
yet we are engaged in an internecine war with each
other Even if we were united, the odds are against
u.s. What then, are we t. expect, it we keep up our
divisions? By our party dIssentions, we not only
weaken ourselves, but we strengthen the common
foe who is gloating over the prospect OF his easy
triumph Why are Bell men, and breckenridge
men, and Douglas men devouring each other, when
the danger is, aye, the prospect 49, that II the com
mon enemy aided by our divisions, should succeed,
we shall not only have no party spells to squabble
over but we shall have no Union left! With no
Union we shall have no government as nation;
with no government, no country, no freedom =
Why, why is it. that the people Of this country can
not wake ND to sense of the awful dangers that
threaten them-to the heavy responsibility resting
upon them? How is it, that they can remain so
careless and Indifferent when the very earthquake
is rocking beneath their feet? The probability of
Lncons election is admitted by all. 1t is under
rating the high spirit and indignant sensibity of
the people of the Cotton States, to suppose, that
their threats of Withdrawal from the Union, in case
of Lincon's election, is mere idle and empty gas
conade.
What an awful thought, that in less than four
months from this time this Union, hallowed by so
many heartstrring associations, may be rent asun-
der! And yet truth EFFORTS the admission, that it
is no improbable event. What may be eliminated
out of the severed fragments, human w.sdoi: can
foresee The combined intellect and patriotism of
the South should be engaged in an examination of
what is best to lie DONE and in preparing for the
evil day, before it is upon us. How can this be
done calmly and dispassionately if all our energies
\are engaged in senseless struggle Cor political su
premacy and partizan triumph! The times call for
self-sacrifce, for harmony and conciliation. He
must be poor creature indeed, who can think of
nothing but party strife and party spoils when the
prosperity the very existence of our institutions are
in peril. If the present party divisions are kept up,
and party bitterness and denuncation shall keep us
apart we shall be but lily prepared for that forbear
ance, compromise and conciatory discretion, which
when the storm shall have burst upon US.
repeat then, that our only hope, at present, is
in the defeat of Lincoln. Let North Carolina ever
noted as she is, for moderation, conservatism, and
love of the Union, inaugurate the movement. If it
is to be done, it must have beginning somewhere
Let there De union of the friends of Bell of Brock
inridge, and Douglas, on one electoral ticket, the
electors to cast the vote of the State for him who
aided by what strength he may have from the North,
H. IL - ~. H., -
comes from the North then the electoral vote to he
divided among the three in proportion to their pop
ular strength at the polls For such ticket would
vote, ut the present tame, with more pleasure than
for any other. Of course such a movement would
not suit blind and bgoted partizans nor desperate
politicians, who have nothing to lose by their coun-
try's RUM for the reason, that when patriots and
statesmen were engaged in saving their country,
there would be need for their services The
Bell party, the Breckenridge party, and the Doug
las party, have each an executive committee in
every State to supervise and attend to their respec-
tive party interests. Let the proposition for union
come from either-whichever it might be- the great
er the credit for patriotic magnanimity they would
be entitled to. / say let the movement beamed in
good faith, and publicopinion, if I am not greatly
mistaken, would carry it OH to contamination
But if party dissention has so widcned the breach
as to render this impracticable- we must hasten
on to our destiny-then to come back to the posi-
tion Of my humble SELF shall, if live, watch the
progress of events carefully and if see the current
of public opinion in the South setting so strongly in
favor of either of the three candidates Named as to
afford reasonable grounds of hope that he may COM
pete formidaby with Lincoln for the Presidency |
should feel it my duty to do, as an individual what
would be glad to see the entire South do-give
him my vote But if / see no such contingency as
this-if division and dscord shall continue to reign
and CLEAN Of hope is presented by concentration
of public opinion in the South. on any one of the
candidates now before the people, if sacrifice OF
personal preference can accomplish nothing and de-
feat stares us in the face-then in case l cast my
vote for Bell and Everett, in compliance with my
original feelings and views, should do so, not in
regard to any party influence or political considera
ton whatever. should do so in pursuance of q
high personal regard, and may add, personal at
tachment entertained for Mr.. Bell for great many
years. and my entire confidence in his ability, con
servatism and patriotism But neither my vote, no,
that of any other in the South, can effect any
thing, unless there is combination, unioE and har
mony among the people Of the South. l commit
myself absolutely to no man, and to no party. A.
have before said, don't know, can't possibly
! foresec what sense of duty may require of me-
As to mere party trammels, they have no hold OF
me-nor do mean they shall have, whilst the very
existence of the government and its institutions ar
in peril. AS to the old Wing party spent tn
morning Of my days in fighting its battles. 1t hat
no more loyal subject, no more faithful servant NJ
more afectionate son, than ME. l honored and Low
ed it while it lived, | greved with an unaffecte,
sorrow when it died. l claim my due portion O
that inheritance Of glory which it bequeathed to it
children. intend to stand at guard over its grave
ready to defend it against the ruthless hands Of pc
litcal gamblers who would gather the flowers plante
there by the hand of affection, for the purpose q
decking their own brows AS one of the distribu
tees in that inheritance of glory to which have a
luded, I never will consent that its name shall b
purloned abused and prostituted to purposes which
when living, it would have secuted and abhorred
As to the American party, am guilty of no val
pretension when say that performed more labo
in its service, incurred more pccuniary loss, mad
greater sacrifices of time, Of personal comfort, an
encountered more contumely and vili6cation in il
cause, than any man in North Carolina. What
said and did in its support were from the honest in
pulses of my head and heart. declared in a pull
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