Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-01-04
The Time for Action.

The editor of the Old Line Democrat alarmed us. When we commenced read ing his article in last weeks paper, headed "Still Procrastinating, and the question whether the time had now arrived for prompt and decided action on the part of the south, and, further on, these words:
 "Now is the time for action, now; every moment we lose are golden opportunities thrown away.'
 We involuntarily went to the door to see if the office of that paper still abided with us, or whether all hands and the devil were about to go out of the Union, bag, baggage, types, press, editors and all. Finding it in statu quo, we returned to finish the arti- cle and were agreeably surprised to find that the now of the editor means next winter, and is then dependent on a certain contin- gency. "A year ago, when the present wri- ter was associate editor of this paper the same position was taken, anl has time and again been restated. So far from denying the rigM, of secession or the right of revo- lution, the True Democrat has ever con- tended that the time may come when this may be necessary. The Old Line Demo- crat says:
 "Let the south take stand, a bold stand, NOW; and upon that stand determine to meet the issue which may be forced upon them. Such course is not only right in itself, but it possesses the great merit of being tue only plan by rhich may PRE- yb off fb1fi must produce secession, dsunon, revolution phat erer you may choose 10 caH t."
 This, 1t will be seen, alters the case.- The editor proposes plan to prevent se cession. It follows, therefore, that he considers it the last resort So far then, we are not disposed to differ with him. That we may do him full justice, we let him state his plan in his own words:
 "Are we asked what is that plan? we answer simply for the southern States to declare in the most solemn and emphatic manner, that the elec- tion Of black republican President pledged to carry ont doctrines and measures at with the constitutional rights of the south, tu De jusfifabLe cause and the signal for an immediate disrupton Of the Union. In this lies our only safety. If any thing can bring the northern fanatics to their sen ses before the Presidential election and arrest them in their mad career, such course on the part of the south can alone do the work"
 We give this because we have no desire to misrepresent him and suppose that he has none to misrepresent us. Since the in- vasion of Virginia and the arousing of the slumberipg conservative sentiment at the north, we really believe that democratic President will be elected Stewards fate is sealed, as we believe is the fate of every teacher of the doctrine of "the irrepressi- ble conflict" We do not believe that black republican President pledged as the editor states, would ever be President, of the United States. Wecare not how emphati- cally or solemnly or fercely the southern States may declare their determination to secede in a certain event, 1t will have no effect On the fanatics of the north. But 1t may arouse what the editor elsewhere calls "the inertia," and this, set in motion, will roll back the tide. We had supposed from the tenor of former articles in that tpaper, that it was for going out of the Union straightway, without further provocation. But 1t appears that time has not arrived tor this decided action. Werepeat, in the event of tse election of black republican President, or in the possible happening of other events, we shall then counsel our readers to what we conceive to be proper course to pursue.