Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-12-07
Correspondence Of the N. X. Tribune
South Carolina viii Surely Secede.
WAsH1NGToN. Nov. 25. 1860.


issue of Disunion, which is already almost
upon US, ard cannot be put aside by coy small
arts or expedients. South Carolina will de-
clare herself out of the Union BY ordinance,
in forfy-eight hours after the Convention shall
meet on the 18th of December. 1t she can.
not get good partner, she will play the game
alone. So much is certain. It is unnecessary
to go back and inquire how this condition of
things was brought about, or who is RESPONSE.
Bile. Everybody knows that the Pierse and
Buchanaa Administrations, aided by Douglas
and other reckless leaders, must answer Tor the
crime. The question now is, how are we to
meet the crisis at hand, and how dispose of it
with the least sbock to our institutions, and
The least injury to all concerned
The conspiracy to combine the Cotton States
under au independent Government, With TIE
re opening of the African slave-,rads as its
leading idea, is not of resent origin. 1t has
been progressing gradually for years, and be-
come more compact and united, as the inevl-
table loss Of the power, SO long directed by
that influence, approached It's elimination
Ii Col. Fremont had been elected foar years
ago, demonstration would have been made.
1t was all planned here FOR large portion Of
the South TO retire from the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes when the votes Of tie Electoral
Colleges we're to be counted They ouly
wanted a convenient presext to set the ball in
motion. This has been found in Ir. Lincoln's
saccess. Sonth Careiina aas for the third
time, in less than generation, taken the lead
10 revolutionary scheme. Her politicians
have at last, and By persistent effort, succeed
ed in Misleading the body of the people, and
in silercing all oppositiOn--eve that which
pattiotically mourns the rashness of this at
tempt.
Disregarding all consequences, she will take
tue plunge, and to insure the cooperation OF
the States whiOb still hold back and cling
to their traditions, she desires collision
! with the General Governmeut, sad will not
seEuple, if need De, 10 provoke one. Her
ambition is a Cotton Empire, with South Caro-
lima at the head of ii. Secession is disuuinn,
and is SO 'hsant BY her. l. is not possible
under our Constitution, peaceful resort
South Carolina does not wish that it should be
SO. She wants revolution with blood, TO
cement the unity of her projected empire With
! Cotton for King The President has only
possr TO execute existing laws end to summon
! the militia 10 certain cases. lu the unusual
! state of affairs which would arise if South
Carolina attempted to opsn the port of Char
leston-her only one additional legislation
would be required from Congress, and in the
/ existing state of parties that could not be OBJ
/ TIMED. So far as the militia are concerned, it
would be an a6surdity to call them out in s.
| Carolina. The President o. course could resist
an attempt to seize the forts and property of
the U. S. BY force, aud be might go further
| question.
| Looking at the whole subject calmly aud im-
partially. it appears most prudent, since South
/ Carolina has declared her hatred of the sac
! cursed Union,' to let her depart in peace.-
When lhe President notifies Congress of her
ordinance, let it be fairly considered and ae-
cepted by solemn vote of both Houses
| Give her the public property within her bor-
ders, treat her literally in AL things, and with
| the best wishes for her prosperity, let her make
! the experiment Of a seperate Government
/ The case has no preccdents in our history, and
/ has therefore to be treated according to its
necessity. TWo-thirds of beth Houses may
propose amen dments to the Constitution, and
similar vote or even majority might be per-
mitted to release State from her obligations
/ under it. ln no event ought coercion to be
tried, because however great the provooation
may be to assert tae full powers of the Gov
ernment, this Union caunot be held together
! by compulsion. single blow in such CON
! test would drive every Southern State IN SYM
| patby, and by the force of an irresistible at
traction to the side of South Carolina. She
knows that, and would rather have it struck
than not Judge Magrath expressed as much,
at the FIRST meeting after be abandoned the u.
Ststes Court, and be means all he says aud
sometimes little more.
There is no good reason why this rupture of
old ties should be bloody. South Carolina has
been disoontented and morbid aud morose for
thirty odd years. Her people can never be
convinced by conciliation, or persuaded by con-
! ee sSfGns Evsrv adyance will ha trea.ad as
the prompting of craven and selfish nature,
ready to surrender principle when supposed
interest is involved in danger. Already her
organs repel suggestions for the repeal of Per-