Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1861-01-18


the immediate actors in these Tragedies
No stronger evidence could possibly be
adduced of the depraved state of public
sentiment at the North upon the subject
of slavery than the fact that acts SO Grim
inal Ill themselves, and so calculated to
disturb the peace of the country, far from
weakening the party by which they had
been prompted and encouraged, seemed, on
the contrary, to strengthen it. Embolden-
ed by this fact, and by the forbearance Of
the Southern people, which they mistook
for timidity, the Black Republican party
resolved on still bolder measure, no less
than to take possession Of the General
Government, and to use its powers for
the accomplishment of their designs. They
accordil gly selected as their candidate
man whose political record was a blank;
and who on that account was more likely
to prove plant instrument in the hands
of his benefactors That Mr. Lincoln will,
to the extent of his ability, sustain the
principles, and carry out the views Of the
party which elected him, there can be no
doubt
To believe otherwise, is to suppose, not
only that he will violate his pledge, but
that he will adopt different course from
that pursued by any of his predecessors.
We are bound to presume, therefore, that
opposition to slavery will be the vital
principle of his Administration.
Can the Southern States continue under
a government administered on these prin
ciples, consistently either with honor or
with safety! think not. l think on the
contrary, that we have reached a point
where the Southern States ought to have
stand, il they intend TO take it anywhere
n Need [ point ont the dangers that would
inevitably result from a different course
To say nothing of the moral influence the
President derives from his position-the
immense patronage at his disposal, and
the millions of money that must pass
through the hands Of his creatures, viii
all be Systematically directed towards the
diffusion of anti-slavery opinions. Secure
of the position of the party at the North,
the Southern States will be the chief point
of attack. "Divide and conquer would
be the maxim of the party, and every eff
fort would be made to SOW dis6ension
among the Southern people opposition to
slavery would be the sole path to honor
and promotion and every Southern trait
or would be selected for reward. Not
many years would elapse before an anti
slavery party would spring up in every
Southern State, and where followers exist,
test would no longer be between the free
and the slave Your fresides would be
invaded, and the torch Of insurrection be
brandished in your very faces, This is no
fancy sketch. 1t is in part reality In
every one OF the border States the embryo
of an Abolition party already exists which
under the genial influence of all anti-slave-
ry Admins tration, would be rapidly de-
veloped. Recol,ect that Kentucky already
has her Cassus M. Clay, Missouri her
Bates, Virginia her Bolts, and Maryland
her Davis. [ trust the day is yet tar dis
tant when louisiana will add name to
this illustrous catalogue; but let US not be
too confident In public as in private af-
fairs, those who act on the suppositioE that
all men are honest and incorruptible, com
nit fatal error. Every Greek was not
an Aristides, nor every Roman Cato
And however great my confidence in the
integrity and patriotism of the Southern
people, do net wish to see this tremen-
dous battery of corruption brought 10 bear
upon them.
But there are some who, while they
admit the truth of all | have said, are
nevertheless opposed to any immediate
action by the Southern people. Their
arguments are chiefly these: First, that
Lincoln having Oeen cOnstltutionallv elec-
ted, we are bound to respect the decisien
of the majority; secondly, that at all events
we should wait until he commits some
overt act OF hostility againt the South.
Let rs examine these argument.
AS to the first, it is true that Lincoln has
been elected according to the forms of the
Constitution, but its forms are entitled to
little respect, when its spirit has been
plainly vlolated. 1t was surely never
contemplated by its framsrs that one sec
tion being majority should arrogate to
itself the exclusive right to elect Chief
Magistrate of the Union. Still less was it
that fanatical and revolu-
tionary party in that section should seize
upon the powers of the Federal Govern
ment in order to employ them in over
throwing the domestic institutions OF the
other section. Besides, if this argument
holds good now, itwoGld hold good forever,
and the anti slavery party atsthe North
might continue throughout all time to
exercise the power of electing the Presi-
dent, and the Southern States be bound
forever to aequiesce in their choice, how
ever ruinous it might be to themselves
1t Is not clear that such a Government
wonld be the very definition of tyranny,
and submission to it the synonym Of folly, |
degredatior end dishonor?