The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-10-03
For the Lancaster Ledger.

Mr.. Ep,ToR.--In response to the Inter
rogatories propo,nded TO the Candidates Tor
the Legislature, With respect 10 Southern
Confederacy and the separate secession OF
South Carolina.
Ireply. That he election Of lincoln. the
Black Republican Candidate for the Presi-
dency, with his principles, and that Of his
party, openly and boldly avowed, and pro-
claimed, "that the. will never cease ahe ag-
itation of slavery ,piI all the slave States
shall become Free States" is OF itself, m
overt act, and declaration Sf war, upon
the Constitutional rights of the people OF
the Sonth, and Their Domestic Institutions,
subversive of the Constitution aud the
equality of the SLes, and should be met
and resisted by corresponding boldness,
and courage by the people Of the South
To submit to the Inauguration Of Lincoln
into office; with the Treasury, Army, and
Navy under his control and the whole pow
er and patronage Of the Government ut his
command, and then walk for n still fnr,het
overt act, would ere long, be the final d oom
Of Slavery, aGi inevitable destruction Of
four Billions worth Of property in slaves, at
one fell swoop, thereby spreading general
ruin and bankruptcy throughout the South;
besides, turning loose upon Us four millions
of free Negroes, upon a state of cqurlily
with the white race. Can freemen submit
10 such II dire calamity aS this Never! no.
never. Unless We are rccreant TO the bio ID
Of our ancestors of the revolution, false 10
ourselves, and traitors to our Country
which ] never can bclieYe. The election of
Lincoln should be resisted at once, by the
prompt and immediate secession of the
Southern States, or rs MANY Of them, as
will secede and the formation Of II Southern
Contedcracy for the preservation, protection
and detenee of their property, their honor,
theis rights aud their liberties.
As 10 the question of the separate seces.
sion of South Carolina. think it premature
and unwise, 10 di~uss il ut this particular
time, before the contingency upon which il
is predicated, has happened its discussion
would be calculated to SOW disseu,iops and
division among US, which would be- prGduc-
tive OF no earthly good. but of misehievous
consequence, whereas, we should be united
among ourselves. Our policy is 10 concert
measures Of united action with the other
Sontbsrp States for our mutpg, defence,
against onr COMMON oDernies, wb0 are ban
ded together, rs one man against us. threat.
ening our peace, our safety, our liberties,
and our property; aud have rvgry rugl.
dencc in the spirit aud patr.ot,m Of the
Cotton States, that they will never submit
to the foul domination Of Black Republican
rule, and they will sccedc from the Union,
in the event Of IincOln's election. ! also
think II especially, premature and unwisc.
Ia discuss tn. question Of The separate Sc
ceSsion Uf South Carolina at the present
general elections for members To the LcGis-
latuie, inasmuch, Us the Legislature has not
the power TO secede, and cannot sccsdo from
the Union. The only power that the Leg.
Islatare possesses, touching the question Of
co operation, or independent secession, is.
the power to call Conven tinn of the pco-
pie of the State, and TO that body, alone,
belongs tho powsr when called, of seceding
in co.action. with the other Southera States,
or separate aud alone, in the event of fail.
uFs 10 obtain co-operfHon. And if elaricd,
] shall vote for the call of Convention, to
enable the people Of the District to decide
for themselves, at the election of Delegates
to said Convention, upon the questions Of
cooperative secession, and separate State
action Tor they alone have the power 10
decide the same. And whsg that ele.lion
takes place, then will be- the proper time
Tor the candidates for seats in that conyen.
ton, rs well as others, to discuss the ques.
ton Of secession in all its phrases and
when that time comes, my position relative
thereto will be fully made known.
J. WILLIAMS.