The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-12-28
Cancellations, but no Surrender of
Principe,


Had We tho dis position il would not be the
dictate OF wisdom to speak lightly Of the troub-
lei condition OF our National affairs, or to lie
ny that there are, in the minds OF many we'll
meaning nen. serious apprehensions as to the
future Of our government. Admitting that
these fears exist, and that very great excite
ment psryades the South. and especially South
Carolina, who seems insanely bent on court
ing destruction, or destroying the Union, IL be-
comes the duty Of every intelligent citizen, and
especially every member Of Congress, to look
the subject OF disunion, threatened and actual,
full in the flce, and give support to snch mea-
sures ofplblic policy as the common interests
require. and which are in accordance with rra-
son and honor.
There is no question but South Carolina will
with folly which has hal no parallel in the
history Of the nation vote herself. (if her con-
yentlon has not already done SOY out Of the
Union, AM what further steps in the insanity
OF the moment she may take, il is impossible to
fOresee. Encouraged by the moral or actual
treason OF the President, who fails to provide
for plated resistance tofederl laws, she is
likelyto take steps tina, maylcal to civil war and
should she succeed in bringing the neighboring
states Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to con-
meet their fortunes with hers, a civil war ofan
alarming character may occur. Perceiying
this, responsibility OF the grayest character
Is cast upon the Republican Members Of Con-
gress. We have reason to believe that they ap-
pr0eiate fully this. and will act with the firm
ness ofmcn, yielding nothing which will in any
way compromise the integrity and honor Of the
able 50 understand the sentiment OF the Wisest
aud most discreet republicans here. in our
State, there is but Que opiuion--nothing must
be done ~ the Republicans in Congress which
Is Inconsistent with the platform of principles
laid down at Chichago. Let there be mOdera-
ton in speech, an anxious desire to correct mis-
understandings, IL any exist. as to the purpos-
g. Of the Republican party, and looking
square in the face, into the condition oithings,
hut NO surrender Of the principle contained in
the resolution Of the party which pledges II to
the non-extensiOn Of slavery ia the territories
This resolution, il should be remembered.
enunciatcs nothing which is new, nothing
which isnot ia harmony with the policy Of the
government for its first sixty years OF existence,
aud nothing which should be the subject Of
Southern complaint. This, even the most in
sane OF the disunionists must perceive, and will
IN most G ,ses Admit. Iithere is not an actual
desire To ;et cut Of the Union. ON the part of
the South, which withOu, doubt is at the bot
tom at th,se South Carolina movements, then
there Is a desire for a new policy 10 natualize
slavery. and to effect this object through menace
Hni threats ofdisunion. The republican partyare
gutles, % wrong, and Il will deman Of it,
Representatives in Congress, what we believe
thcy will ehecrlully give. the defence of the
right % The people to give expression to their
views BY the election ola President pledged to
use his indcnce 10 prevent the extension OF
slavery.
We hear OF rumourel compromises, Of men
having prominent positions in the Republican
party travelling athwart and across the eOun-
try to see the President elect to get his appro-
baton TO suggestions which. il adopted by the
Republicans, would terminate the Republican
party. without removing one jot OF title ofthe
cause which has made the trouble. The patri-
otism Of these men we will not call in question,
hut every Republican has the right. and il is his
duty to lin his voice against that which would
dishonor the party. Among the people there
is nothing Of this shrinking timidity. which
would yield the point which il is supposed the
election OF Lincoln would establish. The future
welfare Of the nation, is permanenee and safe
~ asa republican government demand I'M
shrinking adherence to the principles supposed
to have been involved in the Presidential can
vass. lfthere be weak backs. and knocking
knees among the Republican members of Con-
gress, there are none among the people.
Compromises that involve no departure from
principle the people viii sustain. moderation
in the expression oiiyiews they will expect,
but 1.-THE South asks for more. for the adoption
ola new policy, one which will give the insttu-
ton Of slavery more guarantees than are now
given Il by the Constitution. and FOR its expan-
sion into the territories, the Republicans in
Congrcss should say that they''cannot join in
granting such requests.
We apprehend that there's in thiselamor Of
the South. and which has alarmed the timidity
ofthe North. political designs. that the Demo-
Gratis Of the North, in working on the fears Of
faint.hcarted Republicans. desire to bring
about state Of things which will lead to their
restoration to power in 1854 They have utter
lot objects to secure, and Republicans every
where should be cautious Of giving them an OPP
pOrtunity to build themselves up again at the
expense Of the Republican organization. Itmay
be asked. shouldino the Republicans to avert
the threatened calamity OF q civil war, yield
20 the demands OF the slave power = We answer
that the question involved Is one that Is vital
10 the existence Of free Institutions, carrying
with Il the settlement of the question wheth-
or the will Of the majority, eons,iiutionally ex-
messed shall rule. and better that civil war
should take place. than that vital principle ON
which self-goyernment rests should b d,spy-
cd.
Our fathers fought the British power for sew
en- years to establish the right ofthe people to
govern themselves. and base and recreani in
decd should we be. 10 surrender IL TO subserye
the interests OF slavery. We do not lightly
estimate the evils Of civil war. We shrink
from its certain horrors. sndany thing but degrs-
da,ion and dishonor should be subdiitted to, to