Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-01-12
From the Baltimore Sun.


This is the issue really before the country under the
guise of the slavery question" Whatever may say
about union disunion whatever meetings may be held
North South for this or the other the whole matter
in agitation resolves itself into the question, Will the
North recede? ?" The question implies the fact that the
North body polite has gone too far and that to
farther must mper the peace OF the States, not the
integrity of their political union.
We assert without the possibility of authentic con-
tradicon that the South, in this whole slavery aga-
ton is not and aggressive In all It's earnest
efforts to maintain political equality with the North 1t
has acted from motives of sefdeense. From the very
formation of the conederacy its positive and recognized
rights under the constitution have been more or less
menaced and assaed and it has consequently been COM
PEELED to exercise ncessan vigilance for its own proec
ton. It not until of late, however that it has been
overshadowed by the imposing character and purpose OF
great political party essentially sectional in its sphere
and operations, having no element of union or har
mony with the South, but, the contrary, animated
exclusively by avowed hostility to Southern Institutions
Surely this matter have been but very specifically
viewed by any, who do not that the upitted and
menacing hand is with the North The entire spirit of
dsanion is there 1t originates there 1t goes out from
the North 1t asserts its purpose to elect Senators and
Representatives in Congress, and does it, who gov
erned in the main by sectional hostility to the South
1t further asserts its purpose to elect if possible Pre-
sdent of the United States who shall be influenced by
the spirit A President OF the United States A
who cannot expect to obtain singh electoral vote
from Southern State and be recognized scarcely
by handful of votes for electoral ticket, if one should
be presented in any Southern State! Gan such man
be President of the United States 1t may be retorted
that candidate pledged to maintain the rights of the
South cannot obtain single electoral vote In the ORTIZ
ern States Possibly But we know that immense
popular vote will be cast for such candidate in the
Northern States and that too expression of
spect for vested rights and teal to the constitution and
the Union While on the other hand, no Southern
cast vote for republican candidate but in viola
ton OF the featy ne owes to the constitution and the
Union.
Any good and true citizen of the North, who will
look this matter squarey in 'front.' cannot fail to that
the aggressive movement is northern, while that of the
South is defensive. Even the extreme resor-dsunion
of which the South speaks is not menace-t is not
aggressive On the contrary it is self protective. 1t is
that of peaceable man. driven to extremity and unw
ling to provoke enter upon quarrel, withdrawing
from the ground. While the menace OF disunlOn as 1t
comes from faction of the North is aggressive. The
attitude assumed is characterized by disposition to
thrust the South out of the Union not to take the nit
ative and retire by its own act Republicansm might
declare dlsunon and its purpose to establish tree
northern republic But it dare not do this. Such
motion would be fatal to its preensions Therefore
it pursues the aggressive policy and animated by the
spirit OF dsuniOn, would bring about such calamity by
aggressive policy that shall leave the South no alter
native.
fore the country it manifest that the great que
ton u.s. Will the North recede p The large, gener-
GUS and enthusiastic union meetings which have been
held in the principal cities of the Northern States
appreciated in the South at their true value We be-
lltve that the there present actuaed by
spect for Southern rights and disposed to maintain
them at the balotbox But it is the ballotbox alone
that solve the great question with which the South
is so nearly concerned Admit the probability that the
Northern States will give their electoral vote for re-
publican President Suppose such man as Seward,
Hale any with similar antecedents elected by this
Northern vote President affirm with decent
respect for Southern sentiment and Southern Institutions
that he would be President of the United States He
would receive Southern electoral vote. He would
command not emotion of confidence and respect in
all the South His position would be aVOwedly antag
Onistic to the dignity houor and rights OF the South
and by that act the potc0-mOral dlsunlon OF NORTH
aud South would be consummated.
In the present House Of Representatives the positive
and bitter hostility of the North to the South is fully
developed The representatives of the latter stand
ing simply upon their rights Those of the former EN-
body an aggressive spirit thoroughly avowed in TIT
" Hell per infamy, to which they tacitly adhere Tt
succeed in the election of endorser OF that vile publ
cation is to achieve triumph the sentiments OF thai
book the basis of future action low the question
u.s. if this Northern membership at this day to be
returned their constituency would they be again sent
to Washington? They believe so, or they would moi
act as they do And to accomplish the success they
propose to themselves with the Helper doctrine before
them, would be to confirm their constituency in thu
worst principles of hostility to the South ever thrust be
fore the public.
None can look upon this important subject, none re
gard the serious uncture in our political relations will
deeper than do. Yet it is impossible to re
sis the growing apprehension that while the question
union dsunion is with the North, there tell desgl
to press the issue to extremity in that section OF ou
country If under whole reaction, and the wis
and patriotic instincts of intelligent press, the mine
of the North be dsbursed upon this subject if tn
aggressive spirit dangerousy dear to the demagogu
be counteraced by the true friends of the Union
and if the people of the North can be induced to fa
back upon that sound conservative prnc pie which will
consult its best interests and welfare best by letting tn
South alone then will peace be restored to the nation
and the perpetuity of the Union be assured.
FROM WASHINGTON Washington, Jan. 8-The Re
pubcaus to-day much alarmed, fearing the concen
, traton of all other parties Mr. Hamilton, of Texas
for Speaker tomorrow. The Republicans having here
tofore tested their full strength Mr.. Sherman, hav
given up all hope of the adoption of the plurality rule
and actively canvassing to-day for the selection
some antiHelper candidate with the view of drawing
to them enough to elect Speaker. On the other side
the Democrats sanguine than ever of thei
ability to elect Mr. Hamilton or some other conservatv
early this week.
: Elk Congressman Hughes has been rendered the Va
want Judgeship in the Court of Claims and will probf
bly, accept
The bill which has been recently introduced by Senf
tor Lane provides for the settlement of the Oregon
Washington war debt of 1855 and 1885, according t
the recommendation of the military commission VIII
have examined the claims.
Senator ToOmbs will withhold the introduction of b
carefully prepared Bankrupt Bill in consequence of til
threatening condition of the political and social relation
t OF the country.
3 Cold WEATHER In ENGLAND.-Oa the 14th ult
so intense Was the cold III London that ice fully tw
I'D @ho ~