Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1860-12-21
Lettsi. from Hen: Howell Cobb,


pbiehua S0uih at once. Af'er referring to the
origin and purposes of the Black Republican
party, he'says:
= Can there be doubt in any intelligent mind
that the object which the Black Republican
party has in view is the ultimate extinction of
slavery in the United States To doubt it
Is torcast the mputation Of hypocrisy and i'm.
bccility upon the majority of the people of
every Northern State who have stood by this
party through all its trials and struggles to its
ultimate triumph in the election Of Lincoln. l
am Sure that no one can entertain for them in
dividually or collectively less personal respect
than / do, and yet do give them credit for
more sincerity and intelligence than is consis-
tcat with the idea that in obtaining power they
will refuse to exercise it for the only purpose
for which they plofesscd 10 seek 1t. I do be-
licve that with MI their duplicity they do hate
slavery and Shareholders quite as much as they
sny they do and that no argument addressed to
their hearts or judgments in behalf of the con-
stitntional rights of the South would receive
the slightest consideration. What might be ef
fectcd by an appeal to their fears aud cupidity
" II not now stop TO discuss.
In the nomination of MIR. Lincoln for the
Presidency, the Black Republicans gave still
more pointed expression to their views and
fc,lings on the subje Of slavery. bincoln had
neither the record nos the reputation of
statesman. Holding sentiments even more
ndious than those OF Seward, he was indebted
20 the comparative obscurity Of his position for
"a triumph over his better known competition
s'y the boldness and ability with which MIR.
Seward had advocated tho doctrines of higher
tnT' anu the "irrepressiblc conflict" he had
chat even Black Republicans would not hazard
the use Of his name. To find candidate of
the same principle and less notoriety was the
great work to be performed by - Chicago
Convention. That only was successfully dis.
charged in the selection and nomination of-Mr
Lincoln.
He closes as follows:
The facts and considerations which hnvc
endcavored to bring TO your view present the
propriety of resistance on the part of the South
TO the election of Lincoln in very different
light from the mere question of resisting the
election of IL President who has been chosen in
the usual and constitutional mode. 1t is not
simply that Il comparatively obscure aboltionist,
who hates the institutions of the South, has
been elected President. and that are asked
TO- live under the administration Of man who
commands ucitler our respect nor confidence,
thatthe South conteu,plaes resistance even to
disunion. Wounded honor might tolerate the
outrage until by another vote of the people the
nuisance could be nbatcd but the election of
Mr.. LINCOLN involves far higher considerations.
1t brings to the South the solemn judgment Of a
;mnjorit, of the people of'evcry Northern State
with n solitary cxception-in favor Of doctrines
. and principles violntive Of her constitutional
rights, humilinting to her pride, destructive of
her equality in the Union, and fraught with
e the greatest danger to the peace and safety of
her people. 1t be regarded in no other
light than declaration of the purposes and
Intentions of tile people of the North to continue
with the powersof the Federal Governments, the
war already commenced by the ten nu!lifying
States of the North upon the Institution Of
slavery and the constitutional rights Of th6s
South. To these acts of bad fnith the South
has heretofore submitted. though constituting
ample justification for abandoning q compact
which had been wantonly violated The ques-
tion IS now presented, whether lorger submis-
+. sion to an increasing spirit and power OF ag-
3 gression is compatible either with her honor or
her safely. In my mind there is no room for
doubt. The issue must now be met or forever
abandoned. Equality and safety in the Union
are at IN end, and it only remains to be seen
asserting and mantaing independence out of it,
The Union formed by our fatheraSwns one of
equality, justice and fraternity. On the 9th of
March it will bc*ssupplanted by Union of
ssetionnlism and haired. Tie one was worthy |
osthes support and devotion of freemen, the |
othercan only continue at the cost of Your
hoEor, your. safety and your independence. |
!s there noremedy for this state Of things but
immediate secessi0n2 None worthy of ycnr |
conservatism has been suggested, except the |
Recommendation of Mr. Buchanan, of new con-
stttu!ional guarantees, or rather the clear and |
thisgecommendntion is the counsel of a patri. |
3oES statesman. 1t exhibits an appreciation Of
t1e;eStts that are uponus, and at tile same time
= ngaeyotlon to the Constitution and'its sacred
Euare entees. 1t conforms 10 the record of Mr. |
Btche nan slife On this .distractine question:
the fecord of a pure heart and wise head. Il |
S.lss9e language of man whose heart is over
& sHlnelmed With sense of the great wrong and !
iD3pstice at'hass been done to the minority |
Z & sssiaon, mingled with ap ardent hope and de.
% preserve that Union to which hehas de-
s yossd the energies ofn long and patriotic life.
Tls diff Guilty is that there will be no respone
to.iF from: those who alone have it in their |
Z spsEer TO raet. Black Republicanism is the |
Tgyhpg sentiment at the North and by the cleo
.iap 81 Lincoln has pronounced in the most |
and solemn manner against the princi-
pies Which are now commended to the country |
afosits safety and preaervation. Asa matter
,'oIscourssSthey will spurn these words Of wig
nom ana patriotism us they ia We before turned |
ssSstneir pack upon all the teachings ofahe good |
sand trhe men Of the land, or else they will,
8 Eeyswith ds. is there .insdious warfare to
aende the. South Into q false security, that
4 tHeysn nay tle more effectua']y rivet;t their iron
SSfa&snA and thereby, PIT resistance in the future
s4ssxond our power. They havetrampIed upon
ssss Ssisn9stitntiono Washington dnd Madison.
ili prove equally faithless to their pledges.
Sueht NOT cannot trust them It ls not r
81 onstttgtion and the laws Of the United
S8 - - sehfch peed amendments; but tbs hearts
49, Northern people. TO, effectSthe irst
be ashopcless undertaking, wLilst the
is az; an inopPossibiity.T 1fthe appeal Of the
TH4szEdsnt was made to brelhreno of the two
@gSaA the country, ,5S we might hope for q
zSsegts ssponse Unfortunately, ioweysr,
same grave with the Constitution.
@ @sSare no longer brethSsa .dss|liag together
S3 Egtty: The ruling spirits Of tbe North are |
sS HsuPblieaDr, and batween them and the
epis s, ots The South tIiefsis no other feeling
saat of bitter and intense hatred Aliens
sEssstI no power earth can keep Them
e Nothing now holds. us together but I
!ostnai,ties of broken and violated
M snss9p. Heaven has ypronouuced. the de.
slsa,xefee, ,ss g, and itsWiil be accepted byShe
II esaaIy ssssSn which gives her
osirs North VINO RayS ;baso psss
And hfpls 10 tHe Constta tion ySS,t consa
So1theen breast ~ ri .as