Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1837-01-17

causes dlttlcuiLy anu ui'o
forbear comments, but commend inc
letter to the serious attention OF cur
readers.
1t has been repeated and again re-
peated by the friends of the south, that
our situation is one dangerous IN the
extreme that band of northern IN
cendiaries are waging war against
our domestic Institutions which must
he arrested, or devastation and rum
be the consequence. 1t has been an
swered. from what motive it is difficult
to say, that the Abolitionists are few
and insignificant, and that nothing con-
sequently dangerous to the institutions
of the South, is to be apprehended
from tbem.-But what is the real state
of the case-let facts determine. The
report of the American Anti-Slavery
Society, assembled inthe city of N. Y.
in May last, exhibits an increase OF 1913
Abolition Societies since the report of
the preceding year. The number of
these Societies up to May, 1925, "a
mounts to 2OO-up to May 1885, they
numbered 525; thus showing an in
crease ofnearIy two thirds in the space
Of twelve months. 1t is evident too,
that public opinion in the non-slave-
holding States. has undergone a very
remarkable change on the subject Of
slavery, within the last twelve or eigh-
teen months. Formerly the abolition
lists were condemned, abused, mobed,
now we behold some Of them, leading
politicians of the North, boldly and
fearlessly advocating the doctrine Of
emancipation, even in the Congress of
the United States; and this is done
without any expense of popularity; no.
tee the language of Gov. Ritner, in
his recent Message to the legislature of
Pennsylvania-he says:
"These tenents, then, viz:-Opposi-
ton to slavery at home, which, by the
blessing of Providence, has been rem
dered efectual; opposition to the adj
mission into the Union of new slave
holding States, and opposition to slave
~ in the District of Columbia, the very
hearth and domestic abode of the ma
tional honor-have ever been, and are
the cherished doctrines Of our State.
Let us, fellow citizens, stand by and
maintain them unshrinkingly and fear
lessly. While we admit and scrupu-
IOusIy respect tire oJI17titv-+1v, .-;Egl,to
OF other states, on this momentuous
subject, let us not either by fear or in
terest, be driven from aught of that
spirit of independence and veneration
for freedom which has ever character
lied our beloved Commonwealth.
above all, let us never Weld up the
right OF the free discussion of any evils
which may arise in the land or any part
OF 1t; convinced that the moment we
do so the bond of the union is broken
For the union being a voluntary COM
pact, to continue together for certain
specified purposes, the instant one por-
ton Of it succeeds In imposing terms
and debating conditions upon another,
not found in the contract, the relation
between them changes, and that which
was union becomes subsection"
Reader, this is not the language of
Richard Lloyd Garrison, or Arthur
Tappan; but of the Governor of Penn
syyania--one of the most powerful
states in the Union, one that yields an
immense influence in the councils of
the General Government. The cues
ton is preached, and it is one of deep
Import-what ought to be the course of
the slaVe-holding states in this emer-
gency; discussion is useless. and unba.
coming the dignity which should char
acterlze our-course on a subject affect
ing so vitality our interest. s'Tbe Time,
IN the language of one ofthe first men
OF the age; "has arrived when discus
sion must cease, and action must com
mence." The abolitionists can exneet
to gam their object in but one of two
ways; VIZ: by legislative enactment :,
by physical force, in either case ~,
course should be decisive. We wo,,ld
recommend to the legislature Of ii.
State, the adoption of a course sin;la,
to that recommended by Gov.MeDnf
he IN his late Message to the Legisla
ture Of South Carolina. This il fac,
IS the only course now left US; and ~
must adopt it, or the page Of histor,
vii have to record the doom Of ano,b
er republic. In reference to this sn +,
Jet, Gov. M'Dufie in his mes.aaa
| speaks as follows:
lit is quite annarant IL.