The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-09-28
WHO ARE THE DIsUN1oN1sTs,

| Mr. Brecknridge in his late very. able
speech delivered in Lexington, Ky, aiferds g
clear and satisfactory answer to this enquiry
whist rindIcating himself and the party wit,
which he is acting. from the charge of disunou
which had been made by Mr.. Dougas and Mr.
Crittenden and others. He shows clearly that
his own nnteeedents fully establish his loyalty
to the Union md Constitution. whilst the prin-
cPlcs of his party will relieve it from any i'm
putation of disaffcction disunon.
The principles Of tho Constitutional Dem
ocracy are fully set forth in the platform
adopted at Baltimore. 1t ie no, pretended that
the resolutions Of the platform which relate to
the acquisition Of Cubn. the Pacific Railroad,
the rights Of naturalized citizens, contain
dnsuni"n sentiments, but if disunon is embra
cel anywhere it n,usssbe in the resolutions re.
lating to the protection of property in the Ter.
rltor'es. These resolutions ore in the follow
ing words:
!. R"solred. That the government Of n Ter.
ritory organized by an net of Congress, is pro.
vislonal and temporary, and during lis ,xs-
trnce n!l citizens of the United States hnvc nm
equal right to settle with their property in
the Territory. without their rights of either
person or property being lrstr roved or imnaird
by Congressional or Territorial iegislntion
2. RcSo'rcd That it. is the duty of the Federal
Government in MI its departments to protect,
when necessary. the rights Of persons and pro-
rertv in the Territories. and wherever else its
constitutional authority extends.
1t will be seen that they are almost n verbal
transcript from the opinion of the Supreme
Court. md Mr. Breckinridge shows conclusive.
ly, that the p,inci plies set forth are supported
by the prccedents and practice Of the Govern
mcnt, md affirmed by both political parties in
the State Of Kentucky, by both branches Of
the Legislature by the whole Democratic party
in the State Conrention,.apd by Mr.. Critten.
dcn himself These principles are therefore
Constit stitutiopalnand hence cannot be sectional,
md it would hs sbsntd to charge dsuniou pre-.
clivities upon arpaastg which is pledged to their
maintenance. These.ipriociples concern the
honor and equulity,. Of the States, and ca1
alone restore peace and maintain harmony -
They are not abstract, but vital and imnor.
tant, and upon their maintenance depends the
perpetuty Of he Union.
To charge the Constitutional Democracy with
disunion would be to libel majority Of the
Senators in Congress. three fourths of the
IeHlocIdIlc ileInOcTS Oh Tile House Oh Repre-
sentatives, and all the eminent men Of the
country who are now battling for Constitution
al right and Conservatism.
The real Disunionists are those who are de-
nying to the South the rights which have been
guaranteed by the Constitution. and who are
now engaged in violating its clearest provis.
ions-who are resisting the Execution of the
Fugitive Slave Law. and making it penal to as
sist in its enforcement; who arc keeping alive
the nntislavery excitement, at the North. aud
.inciting the slave to insurrection ut the South.
The enemies of the Constitution are the real
Disunionists.
But the true friends of the Union will be
the first to resist the in fraction of the Consttu
ton. and to demand equality and fraternity
as the essential condition of our existence as q
united people.