Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-08-17

The Charleston Mercury makes the follow

bl1Bie iacI II tno NOftnefn peOpie poleNe
that the Southern people will dissolve their
connection with them should the Black Re-
publican party succeed in electing Lincoln to
the Presidency-Lincoln will be defeated
Should they on the contrary, believe that
the Southern people will submit TO Black
Republican dominion by the election of Lin
coin to the, Presidency - Lincoln will be
elected" I p ELI .hfHfE
That is, il we only clsmor disuniop loudly
enough, we shall frighten the North SO that
they viii not dare to vote for Lincoln. This
shows the shallowness of the disunion cry.
Douglas has played the same dodge extern
sively, trying TO make the safety of the Union
depend on his election; and the danger Of
the Union from the election Of the Repub-
liean candidate, is the whole political capi-
tai of smother party. What beautiful
spectacle the greatest Republic, and tho only
pure and unmitigated triumph of self-govern-
ment presents to the world, when its poll
tics are all turned into play of bugaboosl
Are we men, to grapple with political ques-
tons and decide them according TO the mode
prescribed by the Constitution; or are we
babies, to be frightened into fts2
If the Union is seriously in danger from a
constitutional election, it is not worth the
parchment on which II is written. If it is
threatened to be broken if Republican
President is elected, that alone is reason
enough why he should be elected. If that is
the kind of Union we have got, let us have
an end of II as soon as possible. Any thing
is better than constantly threatening and
impending danger. If the Union is in dan
ger from Presidential election, the only
way to peace and safety is to break it and
form better one. If the Union was formed
to last only while some particular section or
sentiment remained in the majority, our
fathers fooled away their time in making il,
and are entitled to any thing but gratitude
for their services. ..
Furthermore, if written Constitution has
taken away the right of self-government from
the people, and cut them off from freely can
vassing all measures of public policy, which
may be affected by the elections, the sooner
the Constitution is wiped out the better.
The Constitution was made to facilitate the
right of selEgovernment in the people. Ifit
has taken it away, we need another revolu-
ton at once. We thank God daily that we
have no party responsibilities which prevent
us from speaking words of truth and sober
ness, and that now we can treat this disunion
foolery in the way it deserves, without hay-
ing timid candidates frightened out of their
little wits because it will be said that the
Press, the organ of the Republican, or the
Douglas, or the Breckenridge, or of some
hybrid party has said, let the Union slide;
therefore the whole party are Union-sliders
and we may say sincerely, thatifit be declared
by any section of this nation that the constitu-
tional election of any particular candidate
will be cause for their secession, that is the
candidate whom we wish to see elected.
If this Government is to be only repetition
of Mexican pronunciameDtos and revolu-
tions, they should begin before any more
money or confidence or patriotism is invested
in it. If our boasted Union is only game
of "heads win, tails you lose" to be played
only as long as one party can hold and
stock the cards, it is cheat, and disgrace
to any people who submit to it.
Men who can be frightened out of the con-
stitutional exercise of their political rights
by the threats of anybody or of any section,
are unfit to be trusted with the rights of
citizenship; and slavery ought to exist, to
provide proper place for such persons. If
we are fit for self-government, let us cease to
make our Presidential canvass like the deal
ings of old nurses with naughty children. If
we are men, let US carry our manhood into
politics; and let the South try to assume an
honesty, if they have it not and not, like
"Ancient Pistol, vaunt brave words and great
swelling threats of what they will do in case
of an election of a Republican President,
only to prepare a leek for their own stomach,
which they will swallow meekly when the
time comes. ---..--..-..