Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-20
South Carolina Secession.

Wo are of the opinion that the real reason
why South Carolina purposes to leave the
Union is because she has come to settled con-
viction that the Federal Government is too
Democratic. South Carolina is an arstOcratic
Commonwealth She had at the start much
more of the Cavalier than Of the Roundhead
in her Blood, and she has not changed for the
better in this respect since Her laws and her
government arc based upon caste. She believes
in masters and servants in burdens to be borne,
and in backs to receive them. The education
Of the ruling classes among her people stimulates
and develops this trait in her character They
are taught from childhood to be masters
They see every day and hour, an abject and
scrvile race of men, bonding their backs to
their burdens, and, without question or reply,
performing the appointed tasks set them by
their proud and naughty lords. The govern
ment is based upon similar distinction
Wealth is II necessary qualification in one who
is to take any part in administering the govern
ment The rights of man, as such, are Of tri
fling consequence. But the rights OF rich
white men are jealousy guarded.
Such Il life, such an education, and such a
government necessarily make the citizen domi-
neoring, arbitrary, tyrannical He may be
amiable ard placablo while he has authority,
but he makes an i'll tempered, Jealous, impa-
tient, rebelllous subject. He doesn't like a
free government, nor free institutions, for the
simple reason that they continually humble his
pride, and rebuke his insolence A limited
monarchy or an hereditary arstocracy is his
beau ideal of government. He either wants
to rule himself, or have somebody in authority
who is Just like him, who has the same inter-
csts to protect, and the Same animosties to
crafty. The greatest good of the greatest
number, is not principle of his political ecen-
omy. He hates popular majorites, unless he
happens to be with them and then he hates
the principle, for he is sagacious enough to see
that though he may have ridden into power on
one wave to-day, another may overwhelm him
tomorrow
Such we believe to be the governing class in
South Carolina to-day, For thirty years they
have been gradually approzimating to the po-
sition they now occupy in the Republic. They
have been continually growing afraid of the
United States Government. They see as clear
ly as the most ultra Abotionst that African
Slavery is an anomalous institution in free,
republican government. They understand that
it is hostile to every cardinal principle upon
which this Republic is based. They know that
unless it can receive the fostering care of the
Government, and ever bask in the sunshine of
popular favor, lis doom IS sealed. And in the
present great uprising of the free North, in its
wonderful Development in material resources,
inpopulation in wealth, in general intelligence,
they read the future history of the Republic
They find in the recent election, coupled with
the returns Of the eensGs,-an augury that free
principles free labor, free mon, are hcncelorth
to govern the United States Of America. So
interpreting the signs of the times, they have
concluded to leave. While they controlled the
Government they were quite willing to remain
a part of it. When they can no longer use it,
they try to subvert it, They were content to be
masters, but they will not be subjects.
But what can they do?-what will they do
These are questions which cannot be answered
in day. 1t may take years to answer them
fully. 1t is sufficient to say that they not only
can, but will, do great deal of mischief
They will bring reproach upon our free institu-
tions. They will derange commerce. They
will utterly destroy all confidence between thom-
selves and the other States Of the Conlederacy.
They will, as far az they nv permitted to do,
separate themselves from the Union. They
will, beyond question, withdraw their Repre-
sentativos and Senator'S from Congress. So far
any State can 60, if her people are ready for
it. The criminal imbccility Of Buchanan may
suffer South Carolina todo even more than this
But, thank Heaven, even Buchanan has no au-
thorlty to make any agreements in favor Of Sc
session. He can stand idy by, and amuso him
self by writing long homilics on fratornal feel
ing, while he permits a State to shake the very
pillars Of the Union lie can even afford aid
and comfort to The traitors, aud thus abet thg
treason But he cannot bind lis succcs5or-h.
cannot commit tie Governments Ilemay make
"a thousand times more difficult to calm til,