Year: 1861

to disunion. Her government officers have
all resigned; they have hauled down the
United States 4ug and run up that of the
State at Charleston. Georgia, Alabama,
and Florida say they will join her, and Mis-
sssippi probably will The other southern
or slave States seem to be conservative aud
are for the Union, but the matter has be-
come serious, so much so, that the entire
trade of the country has come to O stand
still, in consequence OF the anticipated
troubles. The above States have called
conventions to determine upon the final
course of action.


All this diSunion feeling is premature.
They should wait for Lincoln or his party
TO advocate or undertake the enforcement
Of unconstitutional laws. This is what the
more conservative States say. That Lin
coin being elected according to the consti-
tuition, should not be nor is it cause for the
act, Now, although l was favorable to the
election Of Bell, feel perfectly satisfied
that the South has nothing to fear from
Lincoln; that he has nothing in sympathy
with the abolition party of the country.
He is a Kentuckian by birth, and has never
lived 10 the abolition latitude, being too
near the confines Of Egypt in Illinois.


The times are mixed just now, and the
result Of all this uncertain l have doubts
as to whether we shall ever have Union
Of the States again.


In case Of a dismemberment of the
Union, can see nothing but ruin and de-
struction ahead, for think it will be more
difficult for the States to get along peace
ably after separation than before. If civil
war springs out Of it, there will be no pause
or stop, till the whole country is desolated
by it. This, South Carolina in her reckless
spirit, would rather have, than submit to
an immaginary evil (Which it is only to
her; for whatever evils to slavery should
grow out Of the policy Of the republican
party, she would not suffer; it would be the
border slave States. The only real ques-
ton between the parties is, whether slavery
shall 60 into the new Territories and be
protected there. Now there is perhaps no
Territory belonging to the United Suites
where it would be desirable for the people
holding slaves TO take them. Latitude, eli
mate, &C., forbids it. Then, if this is so, the
question is an abstract one, in which there
is but little or no real interest involved in
either party. There is more than one-half
Of the people of the free States who voted
for Lincoln will say: let the people of the
Territory, when they form their State con-
stitution, fix it to suit themselves, slave or
free, as the majority wish it, and let the
minority submit. This is my doctrine


l have more to say, but will put it in
another letter. f L.


From (Bell aud Everett) merchants
letter:


1--WE are rapidly verging into terrible
financial crisis, and none know how terrible
national one. Everything may be swept
into chaos The wolf viii come this time,
certain. No one eau tell what the result Of
this widespread excitement will be, but
unless something intervenes TO check the
headlong precipitance Of southern fanatics,
the whole world will witness such specta-
Gle as no nation has ever yet presented in
history. Some affect to, even now, treat
the disunion threats as gSseonade, but that
will not do. South Carolina has gone too
for to recede now, if she ever expects again
to command any respect as State She
is bound to go out, and the only possible
hope is, that the other States, who profess
to say they will go with her, may yet re-
pent before they go too far. Our only
safeguard against the new administration
is in strong working majority against it;
this hope is gone, if few more Southern
Senators resign,-then anything may come.
l take the worst side Of the picture, be-
cause so deeply interested as an American,
and fearing so much from fanatieism, and
only hope there may be brighter days in
store for our beloved country than the pres
ent justi6es certainty Of"


This letter is from a democrat living in
Kentucky,-his opinions are entitled to
much weight:


Well, Lincoln is elected. The southern
States are in terrible state Of excitement,
and many well informed men regard dis
solution of the Union as inevitable.


God save the Union" on fair and hon
orable terms is my prayer.


At this time no one can tell which way
the State Of Kentucky will go, whether
with the north or south. For myself,
should live to see that terrible day when
this glorious Union shall be dissolved, l am
for the South because she is right, and with
her will be in Kentucky.if the State goes
with the South, or out Of her if she stoops
to a tyraDnical North.


The following extract. we take from a
private letter from the seat Of government:


1--WE have made a gallant fight, and
have come out Of the contest second best.
| trust that we shall weather the difficulty,
now so menaciHg, but it will require all the
Judgment, patriotism and self-sacri6ce Of
conservative men. If the present general
appreheDsioDs continue to exist at the
south, but little business can be done the
ensuing session. But have hopes that all