Year: 1860




The Mercury, recognized throughout the United
States as one of the most able Southern journals,
discusses the question of separate secession in its
issue of the 10th inst, as follows:


Messrs. Keitt and Boyce have expressed the
opinion that, should the Black Republican party
obtain possession of the General Government
South Carolina should secede alone from the Union,
rather than submit to it. When this alternative
is forced upon us, it will be attended with circum
stances; and what it will be wise to pursue
will, necessarily, be affected by these circum-
stances. within and without the State At present
no forethought can ascertain them. They are hid
in the future. Secession, therefore, by South
Carolina alone, cannot be fairly considered, until
events shall make up the issue. At present the
Southern States are engaged with the Northern
States in the great matter of electng the Chief
Magistrate of the United States for four years after
the 4th of March next. The election turns on the
rights of the South These rights should be freely
over-ridden in the Presidential election should be
fairly disclosed.


We have no sympathy, and less respect for those
who are dodging the question, of its effect upon
the Union. 1t we mean to submit to the rule of
Black Republicanism, decidedly the most probable
result of the Presidential electon,) we ought to
say so-for that will have an influence on the re-
suit. Ii do not mean to submit the rule of Black
Republicanism, We ought also to say so--for that
also must influence the result Such course of
frankness and decision is not only pertinent to the
result, but, in our opinion, it gives the only
chance which exists, for in the Presidential
tiectlon III the northern people Delleve that the
Southern States will not submit to the election of
Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency, ne will not be elect
ed. Dodging, therefore, the issue of the Union,
which does incidentally arise in the Presidential
election, and laboriousy esehewing disunionism-
is impolitic in its bearing on the Presi-
Dental election as it is injurious to the South But
the remedy is not now before US for consideration.
because the evil is not yet upon u.s.


When we fail in the Presidential election, and
the Black Republican party is to be installed into
power at Washington, then will arise the question
of remedies. We presume all statesmen of the
South will go for union of the South as our first
best remedy. United Southern action, for the vim
dication of Southern rights. Even at this farther
stage of our contest for rights, it may not be
polite to thrust forward, a remedy the separate
and Independent action of South Carolina We
should go for the co-acton of all the Southern
States. 1T this cannot be obtained, then we should
support the co-action of the cotton States If this
four, three, or two of the Cotton States Should
all these expedients fail-then, and not until then
fairly comes up the queston-sha South Carolina
submit to the rule of the Black Republican party
in possession of the General Government, or shall
she secede alone from the Union? When this alter
native arises, we will be prepared to meet it. The
past course of the Charleston Mercury, we presume,
ahoros some assurance of its fidelity to the South
anu 10 tne State, in all emergencies. At present,
such an issue, Is premature. Its agitation can do
no good, and may do deal of harm. Let us hon
estiy exhaust all our efforts to carry the Presiden-


ai eiection successful, there is an end, for four
years al least OF Southern action to enforce South
ern rights If we fail, then let us take up as each
sna ARISE IN succession the various expediens for
Fearsss' Thw, u appears TO rs, is our true policy