Year: 1860

Since the election of Lincoln become GER
tainty the excitement has been so intense and
the questions involved so momentous, that,
rather than express any opinions of our own, as
to what should or should not be done, we have
preferred to wait and watch the course of events
and listen to the teachings of those in whose
Judgment we could rely more implicitly than
our own. But now that the question of Union
or disunion has become the one absorbing idea,
rising high above all other questions in the
magnitude of its Importance, and to the settle
ment of which our people look with deepest
interest in and out of our Legislature we think
that it is the duty of every man occupying
public position to speak out boldly and fear
lessly his honest convictions of duty.


Then to begin, we want it to be distinctly
understood that we have no sympathy with the
proposed separate action of South Carolina
secede peaceably she cannot, nor can she revo-
lutionize if the movement is confined to her
alone, for if the other Southern States refuse to
20 with her and she attempts to move alone,
there are a thousand reasons why the move
ment should be unsuccessful-her own insignif-
canoe as one of the States of the Union not the
least among IneIn now DIS uSIetOlOTC, SnC Is
great disturber of the peace of the country,
and could we only rid ourselves of her leading
politicians and retain the honest masses of her
people and the territory it would be an achieve
ment most devoutly to be wished And We here
distinctly assert that if South Carolina orany of
her people violates the law OF the United States
in any way that It is the duty Of all good citi-
zens to assist the federal authorities, whether
under Buchanan or Lincoln, in enforcing the
same Her present movement seems actuated
by maniacal desire to rule or ruin, and so be-
iieving we trust that North Carolina Virginia,
Tennessee, kentucky and Missouri will show
her that they arc not to be drdgged into the
ruin which is sure to follow her own precipi-
tate folly.


What does South Carolina complain of?
Why that she loses slaves by their being
off. Very true she has lost some. but there
arc counties in Virginia, Kentucky and Missou-
ri that have lost more than the whole State of
South Carolina, and still they willing to
remain in the Union under present circum-
stances.


They tell us that Lincoln's election is suf-
ficient for breaking up the Govern
rient. We say it is not. We who Op-
posed to the principles of the Republicans en-
tered the race with the understanding that if
we defeated them all would be well-and so it
would, because the country would have been
in the hands of those who would have OBJ
served strictly, the Constitution in the admin
istration of the Government. But by and
through our own folly, and on account of the
want of patriotism on the part of the opponents
of Black Republicanisn, especially in the
South, by presenting three instead of one can
didate, we have been defeated, and having
been thus defeated we say it would be coaoord-
ice to turn from the field and surrender it to
our enemies. Lincoln has been elected accord
ing to the forms Of the Constitution and such
being the case he should not only be per-
mitted to take his seat but he should have the
support and countenance of every good citi
zen in all his efforts to enforce the laws accord
ing to the Constitution and in the event Of
the violation of his oath in any attempt to in
fringe the rights of the people ofthe South, or
any other section, then let every good citizen
see that he is punished according to the pro-
visions of the instrument he has violated


Then we say let us remain in the Union and
fight if need be for our rights under the Con-
stitution, for the present, until the administra-
tion of Lincoln can be tried.


But we are told that our rights are refused
in the Territories and that hence we of the
South will be justified in leaving the Union.
Were this so even, would a separation enable
us to take the Territories 1ciM as? Could we
any better secure our rights by secession?
Certainly not But the principle of Congress
sonal non-ntervention with Slavery in the Ter
ritories as presented by Mr.. Douglas in the late
canvass is the only principle approved by the
Southern people, as has been proved by the
minority vote in the South of Mr.. Breckenridge
Under this non-intervention Kansas has become
. free and New Mexico sldUe Territory, thus show
ing that soil, climate, productions, &c. will
settle this question Of slavery in the Territories
without the interference Of Congress- and IN
defiance of fanatics North well South.
The whole country has decided, the South as
well as the North, that the people of the Ter
rtories shall decide this question for themselves,
subject only to the Constitution of the United
States and the decisions of the Supreme Court.
So the subject of the Territories has been set
tied by majority of the Southern people vot-
ing against the principle in voting against Mr..
Breckinridge and we hope it will remain set
tied, and never serve as material for dema-
gogues in another canvass.


While Lincoln's election, however, is not
sufficient cause of itself for dissolution there
and has been sufficient cause for years, and
we only object that the election of Lincoln
should be made the pretext for doing what
rnightgwith pgopriety have been done, and pro