Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1861-02-28
Union or Destruction .
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

GOLDEN oPPoRTURITV.
The journey of the President elect 10 the
seat of the National Government ia now ended.
On bis way thither he has had an ample OPP
portunity to see and to hear more concerning
the actual requirements of the cosntry. aad OF
the disposition OF the people. than the press,
p 'liticai platforms, or the stump" have ever
yet offered him. He has witnessed the great
devotion Of the people of the Northern States
to the Union. He has seen them turn out
from their workshops and their homes. inter-
mingling, without distinction Of party. fol-
lowed by their wives, sisters and daughters,
all looking up to him, as with one eye, as the
representative, not of party. or of partizans,
but of the great spirit of Union, patriotism and
peace, by which they are themselves actu.
ael
earful, indeed, now becomes the RESPONSE
illty resting on Abraham Lincoln, by reason
of his election to the Presidency. In one week
from this day he will assume the executive de-
partment Of this great nation, already distract
ed by intense fued and bitterness of luminosity,
either to unite, or forever to divide.
Never, since the foundation OF the govern
nifty for any man to render his name immortal
as that which NV awaits the President elect.
Tks people have admired, with pride, the abil.
ity and statesma nshiP of such me as Webster,
Clay, Crittenden, Benton, and the IRON nerved
will and patriotism of Jackson, whose names
will go down to posterity on the page of history
as pillars OF support TO our noble Union. But
Abraham Lincoln, the much dreaded, can yet
occupy in the heart of this nation a position
next to that of Washington, by becoming the
preserUer of the Union, which Washington and
his wise cOadjutOrs founded.
Without the total abnegation of party spirit,
the work of preservation cannot be accomplish
ed. The time, circumstances and real condi-
ton of the country call aloud for a return tc
the ancient land marks of the Republic. 1t il
written on the flag of the country, and spoken
by the genius of our national institutions tina
" for the Union to live party spirit must die. u
Can and Will Mr.. Lincoln rise 10 his majesty
ofpatrioIism above all party or sectional eonsd'
erations, and with Jsckson.Iike courage anC
firmness teeome the Hercules who shall stran
gle the serpsnt that has disturbed the peace
and now sndangers the existence of the Union
The people would sustain him-lhe worlC
would admire him, and posterity would veneer
ate his memory to remo.est ages.
There need be no abandonment of true prin
ciple; it requires but the assertion of the oil
one on which the Union was founded-JUs
TIcE-justice to the present generation-jus
tics to each other-justice to posterity-justic
to the proud memory of the patriot fathers c
the Uaion, and an emulation of their spirit {
justice, concession. Cancellation, forbearanc,
: and patriotism. and the maintenance of the ca
: dinal doctrines of "squal rights"
With all this Swallowed forth liz the inaugt
: raj as the sincere policy of the incoming Az
mia abstraction. discomfort would pale away fro
the glow of patriotism, and the divided hsa
Of the Nation, like the waters around the roe
once more rusk into ita natural union.--PhiL
Evs'n Journal.