Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-04-17

the free exercise thereof; or of abrldge-
ing the freedom of speech or Of the Press
or Of the right Of the people Poaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government
for redress of grievances.
At this point we do not desire 10 enter IN
to discussion on a constitutional question;
but We viii simply ask what sort Of griev-
ance is slavery in the South to the people OF
the North? Is it at all grievance IN the i
usual acceptance of the term? We think
not. and are sure that no Southern men sim
ccrely thinks otherwise. Here Mr.. Clar-
borne shows his base subscrvicncy to Mr..
Van Buren,, the Northern Abollt!onist, who
thinks, to use his own words, that Soon
eress has right to Abolish Slavery IN the
District of CoIamBia;" and, also, shows
conclusively that to remain IN the good
craces of the Van Buren, faction, he is will
ling to surrender the tine hoaored instltu-
tons Of the South, rather than to lose his
chance Of being reelected to Congress with
salary of Eight Dollars day. Further,
we declare, that, apparently, Mr. Claiborne,
by writing long winded Address
thought the generous and magnominous
people of Mississippi would not perceive
when he 6le,c hot or when he blc,c cold,
but would take all his sayings Gs "Gospet
Truth" because they came from the "Mis-
sisSippi Creole" Read further what he
quotes in his Address and compare the
language quoted above:-
'The Abolitionists aim at general Eman-
cipation. No candid man can doubt it, or
deny it. All their writings and publica-
tions prove it. You cannot read the pro-
ceedings of single Anti-Slavery Society,
or a single production Of the incendiary
press, without being thoroughly convinced
that they contemplate Abolition in the States
as their grand ultimate object, and that they
never will be satisfied with any thing short
of it, as long as they haze the slightest Sha-
doag Of hope"
Here is the point to which we wish to
direct the attention Of the reader. Profes-
sing to be against the Abolitionists in their
views respecting tie subject of Slavery in
the South, He VOTES IN FAVOR OF RE-
CEIvING THEIR PETITIONS, while he declares
they contemplate ABOLITION IN THE
STATES as their grand ultimate olject;"
and while he, apparently, has a religious
horror Of their designs, lie still solemnly
records his vote in favor of the reception Of
their incendiary petitions, thus holding out
to them hope, that by continuing to flood
Congress with them, they will ultimately
attain their ends. What must a virtuous
public think of such politician as Mr..
Claiborne? viii they think that for the
sake ofofice he viii eat lris own words in
his own address? What can the yeoman-
nv of our land think of man, who, to re-
tain his office has shown two faces and
two principles? His figuring on the Bank
question, we thought was sufficient to con.
denim him, and it did condemn him, and
having 10 other hobby to ride mo Office
upon, he has hitchcd into his broken down
car1y.aH the Abolition poney, which is all
ready spqrined and foundered, and which
will stall in the mud before he proceeds
dozen steps.
And to pursue the matter still farther,
we will make another extract from Mr..
Claiborne's address which, We imagine, will
convince every unprejudiced man in the
State, that, he has, during the excitement
consequent on the Abolition question, been
playing into the hands of Mr.. Van Buren,.
whose policy is dramatically opposed to
the South and southern interests. The sue.
cess of party; the retention of the "spoizs
OF rictOry," appears to us, all the object
which Mr.. Claiborne has in his view. No
matter whom he may villify mo matter
what course he pursues TO bring reproach
upon the best men in the nation, he cares
nothing ifhe again succeeds in filling chair
in the House of Representatives of the
United States. Mr.. Claiborne, in his ad-
dress says 1t has been contended, that
these memorials should have been rejected
at once. And for what end? For the pur-
pose of putting down agitation! Assured
| ly not. All who have studied the history OF
the times must be satisfied, that whatever
act of government can be tortured into Oh.
preston persecution, only promotes agi.
tation and excitement. The right of eve.
ry citizen to petition Congress and the right
of Congress to receive and refuse the prav-
er, until the present session, was never dis.
Puted. 1t is right that has been most fla
GRAVITY abused and perverted but should
not on that account be violated. Congress-
(under the article of the constitution can
pass no law TO abridge the right of the peo-
pie to petition the government. A mod.
ern commentator on the constitution of
some note and much ability, in Noticing
this article, dismissed it with the remark
that it was totally unnecessary. This is OBJ.
vlous to every one, who will consider for a
moment the relation between free peonle
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