Constitutional Whig

[From the Charleston City Gazette.]

Disunion Meetings. In a former number we threw out some hints to the National Intelligencer, in the way of instructing them how to point their queries to the Editor of the Mercury.

We have since then become acquainted with circumstances which have induced us to offer some of our own upon the same subject, not however to the Editor of the Mercury, (for we do not wish to war with a vanquished enemy) but to that knot of Disunionists who are endeavoring by all possible means to get up an opposition to the union of the States, and to sever the sacred bond of our confederacy. We propose our questions more for the purpose of putting the People on their guard against those arch intriguers, than with the expectation of getting a correct answer to either of them. There are traitors amongst us. There are those who are laboring by night and by day to trample under foot the rights of the People, and destroy our only safe-guard, the bond of union that connects the States. Some of these are yet hidden from us. Cunning as they are wicked they have so far eluded the watchful eye of the patriot; but let them not flatter themselves that the same obscurity will much longer conceal their persons or their actions, for we hope ere long to see them dragged from their secret corners, and exposed to the indignation and contempt of every true lover of his country. Others, bolder than their colleagues, have been hardy enough to proclaim themselves, and openly express their wishes and intentions if they can but meet with sufficient support to effect their wicked purposes.

The watchful eye of patriotism is sternly fixed upon them--their every movement is carefully observed, and when they once unfurl the standard of Disunion, and assemble in open rebellion their colleagues and their dupes, they will find, and the whole world shall bear us testimony, that there is still patriotism in South Carolina, enough to crush the vile plotters of treason, as the giant would the smallest worm that should crawl beneath his feet. Let it not for a moment be thought that the State of South Carolina will prove recreant. If she has cherished in her bosom traitors to her dearest interests and enemies to the commonwealth, it was as her children dutiful and true to the country--when she finds her offspring forgetting their filial duty and affection, and piercing the bosom that has nourished them, she will cast them from her as she would the poisonous viper that would coil itself around her for the purpose of her destruction. Such has Carolina proved herself, and such will she be found whenever the occasion may require it.

The subject of Disunion is one which excites in us such feelings of indignation whenever we touch upon it, that we are almost imperceptibly led to extend the expression of those feelings further than our time or our limits may warrant. We commenced this article merely for the purpose of offering one or two queries on the important subject, and we must postpone our comments to some future and more convenient time.

Let us return to our previous object.

In our remarks, before alluded to, we made a mistake. We asked if there had not been a conference (among others) upon what course Carolina ought to pursue, upon the subject of the Tariff, in Orange street--we should have said in Friend street.

We now ask the Disunion Junto if it was not intended some time since, to have a meeting of a similar or worse nature at the office of the Charleston Mercury--or rather, if there was not actually such a meeting held at that office?

Soon after Dr. Cooper arrived in Charleston (a few weeks ago) was there not an assemblage of restless spirits--the leading members of the Cabal, at his lodgings? and were not some resolutions prepared for their consideration, submitted to them by that avowed advocate of Disunion?

We call upon the People to bear in mind these questions; we pledge ourselves to them that we have grounds for our suspicions, and that no idle motive has induced us to put them.