Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-09-26

L.
J. F. Moore, Jas. P. Moore,
G. j. Moore, E. Larkins.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter inviting ME to address
the citizens of Ellington the present aspect OF
the affairs of our country would have been more
promptly answered but for previous engagements
You do not, in my opinion overcstimate TIE dan
gers of the approaching crisis. We nave, as mat
ter of course after the elapse of every successive
four years, return Of the presidential election,
which brings with it more less partisan excite
ment; hitherto these periodical levers have passed
over without danger to the Republic. The healing
art of conservative public opinion has been equal
to the emergency. God grant that it may prove so
now but my fears allow ,ne but little hope Our
approaching contest is purely sectonal-the North
against the South, and is based upon an irreconca
bic antagonlsm of feeling and designs. The domin-
ant party of the North have declared and made
known to the world design-if successful in this
effort to obtain the control of the GOvcrnment-to
deprive the South of the condition of equality in the
Union This can only be done by destruction OF
those great compromises of the Constitution which
its trainers placed there barriers against the a-
gressions of one section on another
This declaration of war by The North against the
Constitution gives to the South the advantage of
fighting not only for sefpreservation, but also for
the Constitution.
1t is much to be regretted that while the "irre-
pressble conflict between the North and the South
AS one Of our arch enemies, Mr.. Seward, calls it
is going on We should find existing at the South
subdivision of parties urging domestic contest
among ourselves This is wrong: very wrong:
but as it is founded not on any difference of opin
ions or principles but merely preferences for men,
it is to be hoped that sufficient number OF the
honest and patriotic will combine to let our north
ern enemies know that they will find neither aid nor
comfort in this State which though the last to adopt
the Constitution. will be the last to cry enough"
when fighting for its defence and preservation. 1t
is not the part Of wise policy to shut our eyes at the
approach of danger either in the social political
world: we should look it Boldly in the face; then
we will be better able to defend ourselves.
What will be the first and immediate result of the
election of Lincoln? Unquestionably separation of
at least five of the Gulf States from the COnfederacy.
This action on their part however we may deplore
it, We cannot avoid. What will be the condition of
the slaveholding States which Will remain in the
Confederacy? We will lose by the secession ten
Senators, and thirty Representatives. and enc
mics, the black Republicans, will have such control
of both branches of Congress as to enable them to
pass such laws as, in their mad fury, they may think
necessary to execute their purposes. In all proba
bility the repeal of the fugitive slave law will be the
first measure The second will be the repeal of the
law prohibiting the circulation and distribution Of
incendiary papers and documents in the Southern
States. The repeal of these laws, and the selection
by their President Mr. Lincoln, of no office holders
unless they willing to be the tools Of his pleasure
will completely PROSTATE the South and cover her
with ruin and infamy. This is the danger fellow
citizens. call upon you to look it in the face. 1t
is the certain and nevt1ble consequence of the cleo
ton of Mr.. Lincoln, whom one Of our Senators, Mr.
Clngman, described, from his personal knowledge
as an Obstinate ignorant and hnatcal man, an apos-
tie OF the irrepressibe conflict. Will we submit to
have these laws, necessary for the protection of
our property and lives repealed. and men, the
base tools of Mr.. Lncons hostile WILL appointed to
Offices in midst? This question so full of fright
full Importance, will soon be upon us, unless averted
by the defeat of Lincoln. Such is the danger; such
is the remedy. Is it to be in vain that we call upon
the good and patriotic men of North-Caroiina to
come to the rescue? The Constitutional Democratic
party having offered to the country, in opposition to
the black Republicans candidates in every respect
worthy of confidence and admiration and having de-
manded in their platform no right but what is guar
anteed by the Constitution and which is absolutely
necessary for protection, what prevent such
a union and concert Of action as to secure to our
country and its noble Constitution glorious victory!
81 My answer to this question will be bold but re.
spectful Political predjntices witt: some, and do
nestle treason with others, may prevent such re-
tamnate few in the ranks; the file in the oppos
ton line are sound. This accusation may seem un
generous, but feel strongly fortified in making il
by the warm eagerness which was eyincel to hear
honors the late visitor to our State, Stephen Ar
mold Douglas who among lis while the laurel.
entwined around his brow by the Aboltionists O
New England were still fresh and blooming Fol
lowing the example Of his prototype in treason
Benedict Arnold, he first tried by corrupt appliances
80 EN.v ,pA Is h..
our enemies, and then dashed down into Virgins
and North Carolina fully bent upon the destruction
of the democracy here, if in its overthrow tn
Constitution and the Union had to fall. Upon evi
dence to my mind satisfactory, ! charge that thi
arch traitor to his party and to the Constitution, d
in his late visit to the Eastern States endeavor to brn
about a such union between his friends and Lincoln
ali would debar the Constitutional democracy fror
obtaining any support in that section. Lincoln
election he boosted was fixed fact, and feelingl
congratulated one Of the rngeaders of the irrepres
sible conflict on its consummatOn. In his Southern
foray he did, indeed, change his language, but hi
intent is made too manifest by his acts to admit
a doubt In New England his friends were to SUP
port Lincoln; to preach this doctrine at the Sout
might put his neck in halter Ia favorite mode
punishment with this Benedict the 2nd) Afraid t
assist him here by direct cooperation, he urges hi
friends to run separate ticket knowing that eac
ana every QctDOCTat WHO Can Oc SeuuCeu 10 ltS SUI
port will be clear gain to Lincoln if it should d
fSat the Constitutional candidates Breckenridge an
Lane; thatraitors purpose is the same in both
namely, che overthrow of democracy by the electo
OF Lincoln. The facts disclosed in the following il
tefview between himself and two democrats in Ne
Jersey support me in this charge. "As an answe
:ats this, however we were called upon yesterday
appointment democrat of New Jersey, who relate
10 us that previous to the la,e Convention in ths
State, two Of Douglas supporters called upon hi
az the Fifth Avenue Hotel in this City. When the
1 informed him of the terms of union likely to I
adopted in that State. Mr. Douglas denounced thel
openly and unreserredly. They replied, why, NJ
Douglas. your advice would certainly give the Sta
to Lincoln Then let it,. 1t aoiU gire us the o
ganization IN 1854, was Mr.. Douglas reply" S
says the New York Day>Book, one IF the most r
liable papers in that City. am informed that
the correctness Of this conversation should be deni,
be given. -. r.
80 The avowal Of such policy affords kew to Il
mystery of his whole course Elected and cast q
by the Constitutional Democracy, he seeks. in