Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-12-27
From the Daily Journal, 2lst inst.
The South Carolina MISUNDERSTANDING Hero
Yesterday.

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Yesterday afternoon we announced in an extra that
the sovereign convention in session Charleston had
passed the formal decaratory resolution, procaiming
the secession OF that State from the confederacy
This spread rapidly, and although no other ac-
tion could reasonably have been looked for considering
the precedent course of South Carolina STILL anticpated
as 1t was the effect of its actual occurrence was
and startling At various points, at streetcornes and
elsewhere groups of earnest men stood engaged
In serious converse upon the topic of the day
Sometimes the conversation became discussiona some
times speculative deberave but never noisy or de-
monstrative.
Of course, from the known differences of opinion ex-
lstng IN his community, the of neghborng
State was differently regarded by different people, ALL
however, perceived in it only the sequel of past events
Having taken the stand she had taken for months past
South Carolina could neither have receded even
crastinated without ecng herself to the mputation
OF braggadocia in language and cowardice in action
she would have verified the prophecies Of the Chicago
organ of Mr. Lincoln that the chivary were all towards
had any pluck and would eat dirt-for such has
been the complimentary tone of reference INDUCED in by
these opponents of the views of Mr. Lincoln Whether
in the initial steps and preliminary commitments South
Carolina has has not been hasty may admit of ques
ton. That it does admit evidenced by the fact of
conflicting opinions being abroad upon that point too
However, for veal for woe, the thing is done,
and under existing circumstances the doing of it pos
Sesses interest and Importance far above what it de-
rives from the wealth. population, territory of the
very respectable, gallant and mpusive little State by
which it has been done.
1t is serious thing, when the future is all clear
before u.s. old ties and associations 1t is
rious thing to leave sight of land and trust ourselves
the staunchest barge upon the paines voyage and
der the most smiling skies, with the frendliest port
ready to receive u.s. How much more serious is it if
clouds and darkness shut in the horizon? Some are
sanguine of speedy settlement and the most faterng
prosperity Others foresee nothing but storm and suffer-
ing ruin and desolatoD. The medium may lie between
although must be that any serious change,
however advantageousy it may ultimately result must
be accompanied by present disturbance and immediate
loss There are sufficient reasons to give pause to the
most sangune before setting out upon adventurous
voyage-before taking fresh departure there are not
sufficient reasons to intimdate the most cautious pro-
vded sound policy reason and sense Of Justice impel
them to take the step.
We have said above, and we repeat here, that this
action Of South Carolina derives Importance from
surrounding circumstances above and apart from that
attaching to the State by which it is taken 1t is the
first step which costs-hat step has been taken. 10
government like this it is the prestige of unon-of in
volatility, upon which the cohesion of the several parts
depends, rather than upon physical force. The
latter might possibly maintain connection, but
voluntary union, depending upon the consent of the
governed. The step taken by South Carolina is also
important being well calculated to test the power and
the inclination OF the General Government for coercion
1t will be seen how far the threats Of whipping in
will be carried Would that such test could be avoid
ed hut we fear it cannot The secession OF South Caro-
lima derives further importance from the fact that wheth
er peaceful or otherwise it appears to present issue
equally disastrous to the Union If coerc1 is attempt
ed and in the attempt southern blood is shed upon
southern SOIL such will be the aggravaton of the exist
ing sectional anmosity that all hope for any cordial
Union being ever again formed maintained would be
out OF the question. If the secession be peacefully per-
mted, the missing link will weaken the tractive power
of the whole chain Other links will drop off aud be
gradually arranged under new combinations In any
way we may view it, the thing is serious 1t is true
that South Carolina has population Of little if any
thing one-thirteth of the whole population of the
COnfederacy with rather larger proportion OF wealth;
but there is to be considered that the secession of her
Senator's together with the secession the Senators from
Florida Alabama and Mississippi, which may be re-
garded certain, will wholly destroy the last hope Tor
anything like justice equality in the Senate of the U
States while the loss of the Representatives from these
States will make the Northern reesoil predominant
still more overwhelming. The most Unon-loving feel
that thus either reconstruction of the basis of exist
ing confederation, or secession may become practical
necessity.
The wisest Of former days felt that force alone
could not long preserve Union like that which the
American people wished to preserve, deemed worth
preserving and thus much the advocate of force
in the habit of referring to Gen. jackson and nulifca
ton, there is doubt but that the first and abes mer
living in the country appreciated the gravity of the
casion, and the Compromise Tariff Of 1882 Was mos
patent evidence of this fact. Say what please thai
compromise made to avert or avoid the difficulties
of the occasion, and it, and not coercion, did avert
them.
4 The Dougasites and the Lincolnies are all dssas
i fed with Mr. Buchanan for what they call bis want
energy in dealing with South Carolina and other States
protesting secession notions. We think they are wrong
Mr.. Buchanan does not wish to open wound that car
4 never be heaed-to make breach that never bt
repaired. The Influence of time is potent if allowed tt
operate and if insuperabe barrier is nterposed t.
prevent its operation. MIR. Buchanan knows that b.
4 can nothing by force-he wishes to do moth
ing that would render reconstruction impossible or pre-
vent friendly alliance in the interim. From all we cal
see, read, learn understand the of Mr.. Lin
coin will be very different Collisions may occur at GU
very doors, troops may march upon our very soil. Is
sues may be presented to US that must be met
North Carolina ought not to be without suffcien
military organization and definite policy. She ough