The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-01-23

as 10 piace The subject entirely above and
beyond executive control. The fact can.
not be disguised that We are in the midst
OF great revolution. In all It's various
bearings, therefore, | commend the uus,.
tlon to Congress, rs the only human tri.
bunal, under Providence, possessing the
power to ,nee, the existing emergency
10 them exclusively belongs the power to
declare war or TO authorize the EMPLOY
ment OF military force in all case. con.
tempIated by the Constitution and thew
alone Po'sess the power to remove erie
vances which might lead TO war and 70
secure Peace and Union to this distract.
ed country. On than, and on them alone
rests the responsibility.
The Union is a sacred trust left by our
revolutionary fathers to their descendants:
and never did any other people inherit
so rich legacy. 1t has rendered US
prosperous in peace and triumphant in
war. The national flag has floated in
glory over every sea. Under it's shadow
American citizens nave found protection
and respect in all lands beneath the sun.
II we descend TO considerations Of pure.
ly material interest, when in the blstory
OF all time has Confederacy been bound
together bv such strong ties Of mutual in.
terest Each portion Of it is dependent
on AL, and all upon each portion. for
prosperity and domestic security. Free
trade throughout the whole supplies the
waits Of one portion from the produc,
tons OF another, and scatters wealth eve
rywhere. The great planting and farm
ing States require the aid Of the CONNER,
c'al and navie ating States to send their
productions to domestic and foreign mar
kets, and to furnish the naval power to
render their transportation secure avans,
all hostile attacks.
Should tho Union perish in the midst
o; the present excitement, we have al.
ready had a sad foretasts ofsths univer
sal suffering which would result from il.
destruction. The calamity would be "a
we're IN every portion Of the Union, and
would be quite as great, to say the least,
IN The Southern as in the Northern States.
The greatest aggravaiion Of the evil,
and that which would place US in the
mos, unfavorable light, both before the
world aud posteri;y, II as am firmly
convinced, that tho secession nioyemen,
has been chiefly based upon a misappre
hensIon at the South of the sentiment, of
the majority in several Of The Northern
States.
Let the question be transferred from
political assemblies to the bailo, box, and
The people themselves would speedily re
dress the serious grievances which the
South have suffered. But, in Heavens
name. let the trial be made before we
plunge into armed conflict upon the mere
assumption that there is no other alterna,
tive. Time is n great conservative pow
or. Let us pause ut this momen,ous
point and afford the people, both North
and South, an opportunity for reflection.
Would that South Carolina bad been
convinced Of this truth before her precipi
tate action ! l, therefore. appeal through
you TO the people Of the country to de-
clare in their might that the Union must
and shall be preser' ed by all Con,ttu
tiona! means. most earnestly recon-
mend 'hat you devote yourselves exciu
sively to the question how can this he acr
in peace. All other questions
when compared with this. sink into in
Tho present is no time for
PaiIiatIons. Action, prompt action, 10 re-
CURED. A delay in Congress to prescribe
or to recommend distinct and practical
for conciiation may drive US
to roint from which it will be almost
impossible to recede.
A common ground on which concilia
ton and harmony can be- produced is
surely not unattainabe. The proposition
to compromise bv letting the North have
exclusive control Of the Territory above
certain line, and to give Southern insli.
tutions protection below that line, ought
TO receive universal appreciation. Ia il
sell, indeed, it may not be entirely salts
factory; but when the alternative is be-
tween a reasonsble concession on both
sides and destruction OF The Union, il is
an imputstion upon the patriotism Of
Congress TO ssssr, that its members will
hesitate for moment.
Even now the danger is upon us. To
several OF the States which have not vet
seeded, the br,s, arsenal.. and mag gaines
Of the United States have been seized.
This is BY far tie uos. serious step
which has been taken ,ince the CONNIE ence
ment OF the troubles. This public prop.
erty has long been left without earrisons
and troops for It's protection. because no
person doubted its security under the Gag
OF the country in any State Of the Union.
Besides our small army has scarcely
Ceen sufficient to guard our remote from
'iers against Indian iucursions. The seix,
urs Of this property, from all appearances
has been purely aggressive, and no. in
assistance 10 any attempt to cosrce State
or States 10 remain in the Union.
Az the beginning Of these unhappy
] determined that no act Of mine
should Increase the excitement in either
section Of the country. II the political
conflict were 10 end in civil war, il was
my determined purpose not to commence
Il, nor even furnish an excuse Tor IL by any
act Cf this Guvernment Nv .r'n;on -