The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-03-06
Letter from Alabama.
For the Grand Haven News.

GREENSBORO, Alabama, Jany, 1851.
From Charlotte, N. c., on South, there
was abundant evidence of strong and
controlling secession sentiment, and an
almost universal declaration that LIN
COINS election (by party whose leading
men proclaim that higher law absolves
from allegiance to the constitution, SO
far as the right of property in slaves is
concerned, and who endorse such book
as Helpers, which advises the encourage
ment of insurrcction and forcible emanci-
patton, &C., the adviser himself prominent
only because his name is connected with
abuse of southern society and institutions,
a party whose religious sentiment bears
fruit in John Brown raids and Texas con-
flagrations, party, which, when in mi
nority, has in a great measure defeated
the execution of law of the land, and
when in power have nullifed and tram
pied upon the constitutional is the first
national triumph of party under whose
administration tho South can alone be
safe by the republican party's conceding
to the South such guarantees as shall pro-
tect them in their constitutional rights, as
a minority, as they could not protect
them even when in power themselves, or
secession. This is the position of the
Cooperation Secessionists, the moderate
or Union loving party Of the South.
State-Action Secessionist land they are
in the majority in South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and
Louisiana, perhaps in Tcxas,) say it is
useless to try to live together any longer;
that the North hates the South, and the
South hates the North; that no consti-
tutional guarantees can be given that will
save the South from sentiment that is
taught in schools, preached in pulpits,
sustained by the press, illustrated by
words, &C., &C., and such being the case
they urge instant and immediate secess-
ion as the only source of honor remain
ing to the South. There is large num-
Der, who are Secessionts, yet believe that
the dissolution of the Union is the de-
struction of all reasonable hope of pros
perity for our country North and South
but rather than suffer such injustice rs
have attempted to recapitulate, and
which they declare does exist, they are
willing TO sink the ship ana trust to build
ing one, or to being picked up by anoth
er. Thus far have given the senti
ments of others, as l understand them
In answer to your question, "WhetheI
the bonds that once bound us together a.
people could not be re-unitedp l have
meditated upon this question by day anc
dreamed of it by night, and am forced t.
the conclusion that there is no hope. l
may be possible that the day may b
postponed, but como IL aoiU.
The history of the Church, in all ages
has shown the fact that religious differ
ences are the most intolerant. When on
sect has the power over all others, the
the minority must suffer prescription G
fall for the maintenance of their faitl
Such, l fear, is too much the nature {
the present contest. Religious faith is O
the bottom of all the present difficulties
nothing else would sustain the people
shipwrecking so fair government. Th
conscience of the North can not rest whi
slavery exists in the nation; and I'll
, South is sustained by firm belief in i
justification by reason and the bible. I
i this add the immense wealth involved
! another influence; and, again, the diff
d Guilty of freeing the slaves if they wishes
, These influences operating powerfully u
: : on the North and South preclude the po
Il sibility of compromise. The fact th'
q each party appeals to the same supren
Ruler for counsel and assistance goes +
d to prove what I have said. If the r
'Ipublican Party only viewed slavery as