The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-10-31
u The Crisis Approaches.

The present is the last number of our pa
per that will appear before the election. On
Tuesday next, the 9th ofNovember, the peo-
pie of the several States viii decide, so far
as their action is concerned, the pending
Presidential contest. Never before, at any
period in our history, did such momentous
consequences hang upon the result Of an
election; for, should the Black Republicans
succeed, it were the very extremity of fool
ishness to imagine that the Union can long
be perpetuated under their sway. Possibly,
and for little while, the empty forms of a
Union may continue to be observed, but its
animating principle will be extinct and, like
human body from which the viyifying soul
has fed, it will thenceforth grow more and
more loathsome under the gradual process
of decay, until the crawling things that riot
in corruption shall have consumed it utterly.
A Northern sectional party, banded together
by single fanatical sentiment, and animated
by an undying hostility to Southern institu-
tions, cannot so administer the general gov
eminent as to enable the South, consistently
with its interests, its honor, or its safety, to
remain in the Union. There may be-we
fear there are-a few timid men among US,
who, taking counsel only of their fears, and
insensible to the calls of honor, would advo-
cate tame submission to any indignity or
wrong, how gross soever it might be, rather
than imperil that GLORIOUS Union" which
they profess to regard as paramount
good" in and of itself, without the slightest
reference to its results, as being benefcent or
otherwise; but such, We are persuaded, con-
stitute very lean minority.
If the attempt were now made, for the
first time, to unite the States in contedera-
cy by the compacts of the present Constitu-
ton, there is no man, we suppose, OF ave-
rage intelligence, who believes that the
Southern States would consent TO become
parties to a general government whose pow
ers and influence, under the control of a
sectional majority, at the North, were ayow-
cdly to be directed adversely to their inter
csts. 1t would be too palpable, in such a
case, that they had nothinsto gain, and eve
rything to lose, by the insane policy Of pla-
cared enemies. Not Il voice would then be
raised among us in advocacy Of SO traitorous
project; and if Southern man were
found who was base enough to sell his coun-
try, he would, like Arnold, concoct his trea-
son in secret and in darkness, well knowing
that halter awaited the exposure Of his
guilt. The same impulses of patriotism,
which, IN the case just supposed, would
prompt every loyal citizen among us to re-
jet the proposition to form Il Union, will,
in the event Of Lltcoln's election, as infaIi-
DIV lead them to Vkd,aW from Union
which will then be fIau2ht wiki danger and
dishonor to the South. Their final action
may be delayed for brief period; but the
ultimate result is certain. 1t will be simply
question of time, and will speedily be solv-
ed. Our people, when they come fully to
comprehend the vital character of the issue
presented for their decision, will be at once
united, through the very instinct of self
preservation; and wo betide the craven
wretch, who, at that day, shall counsel sub
mission TO the foe. II