The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-11-16
Secession. Disunion Movements.

Previous to the Presidential election much
"a. aid In some quarters Of the determination
ofthe Southern States to secede and dissolve
the Union in the contingency ofLneoln's Elee-
ton. Earnest appeals were made to the voters
in some Of the states to stihe their convictions
ofriyht AMI duty, and by voting against Lin
coin preserve the Union" Such appeals
based rs they were on the sacrifice VI seii-res-
meet. and allegiance to truth and duty.l were,
a, they should have been, Intellectual The peo-
ME in the manner authorized by the constitu-
tiop.hay., as IL was their right to do. elect
eli Mr.. Lincoln and the duty ofacquiesenee in
the eonstitutionally-e expressed Will OF the peo-
ple /, n plain and practical one. which every
man who desires the best interests Of the eoun-
try will be ready to perform.
/" Acquiescence in the viii Of the majority"
Is the only security Of our form Of government,
IL is as Mr.. jefferson declared II to be " the Va
tai PRINCIPAL Of republics from which there Is
no appeal but to force the vital principal AMI
immediate parent OF despotism. This
being so. every man who has an intelligent con-
eeption Of the structure Of our government will
Weld q willing and ,heerfal obedience to the
principles, and be ready to defend II at all hai-
ards. No matter how much the people may
have differed, 80 long as the great question was
open. when once the decision Is made, obedience
to |, becomes the duty ofall. The people OF the
free states. where the best knowledge Of our in
,,itutions exists. and where patriotism Is ever
ready TO surmount ani overcome prejudice and
p,s,iou. understand this, and have never yet
acted or threatened to act antagonistical to the
pl.iu dictates OF duty. And we believe that By
lar the greater portion Of the people fall the
states, IL We may perhaps except South Caro-
lima and Georgia, have the same convictions OF
their duty.
Since the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, in the states
We have ramel there has been no little excite
ment, and, II the newspaper accounts are to be
credited, steps are melitaied which, II carried
on, in the spirit in which they have commenced,
will eliminate in treason. The State OF South
Carolina, noted alike for Toryism in the days
ofthe revolution, and for her disunon and
notification movements at two other periods in
the history of the nation.'is taking the lead in
these REASONABLE movements. We have read
carefully the accounts Of these: secession and
disuniou proceedings, and have come to the
eonclu Jon that there is more talk than action
In them. We look upon these proceedings as
things (which should be expected FROM the
Southern Chi,alry. They have INDUCED in
gasconidipg and buster so much in times past
that |, would be unreasonable to expect any
thinr else from them now. Some Of the lead
ers may be- ripe for revolt and treason, but
thus far, though ON the surface madness
seems to rule the hour" in SJuth Carolina, II
we look little closer il viii be seen that th're
are indications that they will not entirely over
look the idea that " discretion is the better part
of yalour," and conine themselves to the
harmless weapons Of manifestoes. proclama-
tons, holding conventions, uttering foolish
speeches. and resigning federal offices, ITO
take elect after the fourth OF March next"
When Il |. remembered that many Of these self
sacrificing patriots would not be likely to hold
their places much beyond that period, their
virtue is not ofgrcat account.
Nothing very serious. we apprehend, will
grow on. Of thescproceedings, notwithstanding
the Indirect encouragement which seems to be
given them by the negligence or criminality Of
the President in not taking steps to prevent
any outbreak. Whatever the consequences
may be, the North Of all parties will stand by
the Union. and demand acquiesencc in the will
Of the majority, and II need be, enforce that de-
mand with ply cal arguments against all who
make physical resistance against il.
The people have elected a president. There
Is nothing in their act which either justiiies or
pallia,es treason. There Is nothing in the
principles OF the party eleetinG him which can
do violence to any right Of any member Of the
eonfeleracy. nothing demanded which is not
the subject Of request legitimstely under the
constitution, nothing in measure or principle
which mas not been sanctioned by the legisla-
ton Of the country. ard nothing which has not
had the sanction of good men and true who
have resided in all sections otthc Union.
To say that this win shall not be carried into
effect is to say our government is attain end
not worth preserving, and to take steps to pre-
vent IL ~ 10 COMMIT uclSOu. ~ 'nc peliOa heS
come when this principle Of acquiesenee in the
will Of the majority Is to be tested. regret il as
we NAY. there Is but one duty for every true
American citizen to 10. and that is to hold him
self in readiness to make il respected. We have
no doubt the people Of the free states, rising
above party distinctions win do this
Sure are We that the intelligent voters Of the
Free States who on Tuesday oflast week cast
their votes for Abraham Lincoln will mos, read
lily stand by the consequences oftheir acts, and
defeding the integrity Of the Union with physi-
cal strength II necessary. compel obedience to
the ecnsti,u,ionally- expressed viii Of the pee
pie. Abraham Lincoln is elected President.
So surely as the fourth Of March next comes,
and his life Is spared, he viii be invested with
the perogativcs Of Office, and backed as he will
be by millions Of freemen. he will take good
care that the integrity Of the Republic is main
tanned.