Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1860 — Who are the Disunionists! [ARTICLE]

Who are the Disunionists!

[From the Albany Evening Journal.

On the 6th of December, Mr. Iverson, a Democratic Senator from Georgia, said: “The South can take care of herself. We will be prepared to defend ourselves even at the sacrifice of the Union.’.’ On the same day, Mr. Clark, a Democratic Representative from Missouri, said: “The Union cannot exist if the recommendation in the circular (that is to circulate. Helper’s book) were carried out.” On the 7th, Mr. Chesnut, a Democratic Senator from South Carolina, said: “The South cannot preserve the Union. It does not behoove her in herdown-trodden and feeble condition.” On the same day, Mr. Pryor, Democratic Representative from Virginia, said: “The Representatives of the South will never consent that the creature and champion of the Republican party shall take possession of the Speaker’s chair.” On the Sth, Mr. Moore, Democrt, of Alabama, said: “If the Republican party could be defeated the Union would be preserved, but if such a party were to succeed, the sooner the Union is dissolved the better.” On the same day, Mr. Davis, Democratic Representative from Mississippi, said: “Seward is a traitor and deserves the gallows.” On the 10th, Mr. Smith, Democrat of Virginia, said: “I would not say if any particular man should be elacted President, I would immediately favor a dissolution of the Union.” On the same day, Mr. Curry, Democrat of Alabama, said: “If the North elected Seward or Chase, or any other member of the Republican party, on a sectional platform, such an election was to be resisted to the destruction of every tie that binds the confederacy together.” [Applause by the Democrats.] On the 13th, Senator Clay, Democrat of Alabama, said: “I will say that if Alabama be not recreant to State pride and political integrity, she will never submit to your (Republican) authority.” Again he said: “Unless she and all the Southern States, except three, are not faithless to the pledges they have given, they will never submit to your Republican domineering in this Government.” Again he said: “I repeat by the unanimous action of Legislatures and Conventions, the Southern States, except three, have pledged themselves to dissolve the Union upon the prohibition of Slavery in the Territories.” On the same day, Senator Gwin, Democrat, of California, said: “There is another reason why the Southern States should prepare for a dissolution of the Union; the Republican party has triumphed in almost every State on the Atlantic borders.” Again he said: “In my opinion it is impossible for a Republican President to administer the Government over a slaveholding State.” On the 14th, Mr. Mcßae, Democrat, of Mississippi, said: “If the Union was not made, I would not make it.” On the 15th, Mr. Vallandigham, Democrat, of Ohio, said: “I hold toone Union,one Constitution, one Destiny, which could not be fulfilled except by the immediate, total and unconditional destruction of the Republican party.” On the same day, Mr. Crawford, Democrat, of Georgia, said: “The whole matter (with the South) resolved itself into the question of slavery and disunion, or no slavery and Union.” Again he said: “It is the sentiment of every Democraton this floor from Georgia, that they never would submit to the inauguration of a Black Republican On the 16th, Mr. Bonham, Democrat, of South Carolina, said: “I say without hesitation, that on the election of Mr. Seward, or any other man who endorses, proclaims or holds the senti-

ments declared by Mr. Seward,! would favor immediate I think I speak the sentiments of my entire State.” Every one of the authors of these treasonable threats, it will b? observed, is a Democrat. If anybody can point out a single Republican who has ever uttered such atrocious sentiments, or who does not heartily rebuke them, we will thank them to do it. And yet this Democratic party, whose leaders are thus abetting and threatening disunion, pretends to be pre-eminently the Union-saving party! Let them crush the traitors in their own ranks, instead of slandering their neighbors, and the Union will be safe enough!