Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-09-18
A Southern DisuniOnist in Correspondence
with Northern AbOlltIOnist.


THE CONSPIRACY AoKNowLEDaED-READ 6 JUDGE
In the New York Times of the 21st ult., we
find a letter written by John Driver, Esq, OF
Alabama, to Hon. Gerrit Smith, the notorious
abolitionist of New York, who was charged with
being implicated in the John Brown raid at
Harper's Ferry.
The author, John Driver, was member Of
both the Charleston and Baltimore Conventions
and has been, we believe, Senator in the State
of Alabama.
Let all men who have been deceived by the
Breckenridge speakers and papers into the be.
lief that theirs is not disunion party, and
formed in its present shape for that very pur-
pose, read the following letter from an Alabama
disunion Democrat:
RUSSELL Co., Ala, Monday, July, %, go.
Hon. GERRIr SMITH-.Sir You and l are
antipodes on the subject of slavery. believe it
to be divine institution, created by Heaven,
and such is the doctrine of the Bible. African
slavery has christianized and civilized, during
the same length of time, more human beings
than all the missionaries of the world combined.
If it was not for the injudicious and unwise laws
against the slave trade, by importation and NOR
al instruction, we would make them Christians
by the million, and prepare their souls for heav-
not give our slaves Christian instruction. Large
numbers of them are members of the churches
and we rely principally on the Bible when in
structing themNin obedience to their masters
However, do not desire to argue the question
of slavery with you, as between US there is an
impossible gulf.
But we concur on one point, separation OF
the Free and Slave States into distinct Govern
lnents. Last winter Alabama passed law with
out dissenting voice, that in the event of a
Black Republican President being elected, she
would dissolve her connection with the Union
This is the sentiment of every Cotton State, and
thew all unite with her. When this is done, all
the other slave States will follow Immediately,
if obedience is attempted to be enforced, and ul-
timately, any how. To effect this, zoe, the Dis
union party, disrupted the Democratic Conven
tion at Charleston, and at Baltimore induced
others to join as, By oar agreeing to support men
not ent5rely Of our sentiments. We do not de-
sire their election, but believe them the most
available men to divide the Democratic party
and elect Mr.. Lincoln. We wish his elevation
to the Presidential chair, because we know thai
it will produce dissolution of the Union.
| perceive you are advocating the formation
of ticket more in conformity with your senti
ments. This will only injure the Republican
candidate. AS your party and mine concur il
desiring separation of the Free and the Slave
States, let US unite our efforts to accomplish this
grand object. Notwithstanding our sentiments
on this subject, we have waived running can
didate on that direct issue; simply because We
can better destroy the political parties which
now bind the Union together, without doing it
Cannot the Anti slavery party exercise policy
also, and vote the Republican ticket, which will
assist in accomplishing an object we both desire
We, the disunionists of the South, have adopted
a polite course, and why should not the disun
ionists of the North2 If you cannot conscien
tously do SO, will you be kind enough to make
this subject public, so thst the Anti slavery par
ty or so many of them as can vote the Republi
can ticket will comprehend the reasons for 81
doing. Your obedient servant,
| JOHN DRIVER.
"Come ye out from among them, all ye, my
IpeOple!"