Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-01-12
For the journal.
NO. l.
Shall we have Union or DIsunIOn :


MEssRs. EDITORS The other night was sitting by
tue FIRE, enjoying the solace of my last pipe and quietly
Illuminating on matters and things in general Insensi
bly, fell into train of reflections upon present
ations with the North and the question in my
mind-that question, paramount to all Others before
us" Shall IRE haze Union or DiSulion ~ examined
the sub ect calmly and carefully and thoroughly, as
with all the lights before me, | was able and without
asking you to endorse the conclusions arrived at de-
cided to lay them before the public not certainly, be-
cause of their intrinsic Importance but because of the
magnitude Of the question. Without further preface
then let me begin g.. -, .::l,.. . :.,. -. 4, .:
The Union Of the States spite of all the appeals in
It's favor, is conessedly becoming matter of form
with little OF real vitality in it. From being originally
thing OF mutual cOnct sSOn and compromise, Que sec
ton has become madly ambitious of power and is fast
acquiring supremacy in national councils that will
terminate in the utter and hopeless subsection Of the
other. 1o show the danger of this growing spirit OF
domination let inquire W Guild the South be salts
fed in such condition Of ineriorily? Was that the
kind of fraternity they compacted for where one section
commands, aud the other obeys? Where one section
egisaes because it has the majority of votes and the
other, as compliant minority, submits?'
| There time, Nessrs. Editors a better time
when the Union was harmonious, and each section re-
spected the stipulated rights of the other But now by
the gradual growth OF fanatics, from whatever causes
our aterna concord has been broken the geographical
distinctions of North and South so strongly deprecated
by the Father of his Country have been definitely drawn
and we have come to be- lat this day. both in principle
and feeling, little short Of two people
And here let US pause, and consider whether this is
| indeed a stubborn fact, or mere fiction.
If slavery, not only where it exists, but the ex-
tension of it into new territory, be right guaranteed
by the Constitution then Withholding from US that
right is a violation of the compact. .... .,
If the returning of fugitive slaves to US be cOnsti-
tUtiOna obligation then we have cause to complain of
this further violation of the compact that we are not
only prevented by direct State legislation from
erng escaped property, but that lives are en-
dangered if we attempt to assert our rights.
Thus, if we neither have slaves restored to us
by Northern cOniedcrates, by the Constitution
entitled in express terms, extend iDstitu-
lions into public domain, which we are Just as clearly
entitled to do by the instrument is such comb
nation to be styled Union at ALL inespect to its org
nal intent ftE
And further if the Union does natsecurc to us what
we intended it should, and what we have long re-
minded our Northern brethren it must mean our just
and equal rights fathers stipulated with theirs
then it has proved failure and the next step usual in
such cases. Will be resort to other combinations to at
tain our object. For Messrs Editors, it should be
borne In mind, the Union not final object, to be
cherished for its sake but only regarded and valued
as the means to end. :. ....s-. .... ..
Liberty and independence came first and Union came
afterwards. And thus, however many the benefits we
may have enjoyed together under it, is it anything but
perfectly rational conclusion when has ceased to effect
what it designed for, that will be thrown aside as
unsuted to our purpose?
Messrs. Editors You have, doubt often observed
that prophecy, the repetition of it, contributes to
its own Elhment. Thus the doctrine of an rrepressi-
pie conflict has been pracised and insisted upon until
it has become porentous reality; the North and the
South have been held up antagonstc until they have
indeed become So Il otherwise. why have religious de-
nominations dissolved fellowship; why are political par
ties dstrustu why ssocia intercourse almost laid under
an lnterdct why are the principles of Heers book re-
commended to general adoption by members Of Congress
themselves if be not that the silver cords that bound us
together have been oose and the States present the ON
inous phenomenon Of house divided against itsefthe
sure precursor Of IT'S fall? True indeed thata number
Of justmlnded men are LETT at the North, who dare