Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-05-07
NO. 81.

from our remarks, we lepel f--iof we are
as willing to recognise and acknowledge
him a courteous aud refined gentleman as
either Mf. CLAY or WASHINGTON IRyISc
4 is his political acts we are cOnFidering.
With Mr.. Clay, we can esteem him as
man-while we detest him as a politicianS
and We have commenced assigning orr
reasons for thus detesling him. and, with
your indulgence, we VIII continue assign
ing reasons, which, il they make no favor
able impression on your mind, we trust
they may on the minds Of your readers.
You accuse Us Of having given sy-
nOpsis of the stale accusations, which have,
for number of years past, been the pabu-
lum of newspaper slang against Mr.. Van
Barren, and you then proceed TO take
up the charges in detail. u You acknowl-.
edge he did vote in the Legislature of
New York, in favor Of instrucfing her
Representatives, and requesting her Sena-
tors TO oppose, and.vote against the admis-
sion Of Missouri as a State, with the right
Of holding slaves You consider it how
ever a " long gOne-by'' affair, and conse.
quentlv Of trifing moment,-compared
with his declaration, that, should Congress
pass law, abolishing slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, he would Deto tia de-
claration in your estimation, that eatitles
him to a reelection TO the Presidency. In
sober. earnestness, what does the assever-
alton amount to---no more nor less, than
" viii perform an act which, believe the
Constitution enjoins upon me, and which
i l.
perfectly well knew be would not be called
upon TO exercise the power-even should
he serve out his eight years-there being
no probability that any such law would
pass. You are willing to Offset possi-
HE contingency against acknowledged
facts facts too, in which the South and
the Union are deeply and vitality interes-
ted. Roperuse the history of the Missou-
ri question-read Mr.. CLAWS frequent
speeches-take up the subject in detail.
and then inform your readers, if you sill
spnsider Mr.. Van Buren's declaration
above referred to, as SalUo for the resolu.
tons he advocated and the vote he gave in
the Legislature of his State, at that trying
crisis. It is susceptible of proof. that he
considered the hostility, manifested by his
State against the admission of Missouri.
with fhe right of holding slaves, would
strengthen the party to which he belonged.
g Don't Be alarmed, said he) IL aOiU 6ene-
iit our pnrtsr. Yes, in those few words,
YOU have exhibited one of the leading
characteristics Of that mans political life.
WIN our party be beHsftted if we do so
I nd so? principles are of a secondary
consideration: And, allow me, here, to
draw contrvst between the Two dlstin-
I guished men that head this article. Mr..
Van Buren, would sacrifice his country TO
aggrandize himself-while Mr.. Clay would
sacrifice himself TO aggFandize his coun-
try. For the informationof your readers
We copy q part of the bill, which Mr..
: King was sent to Washington to advo-
cate and the passage of which would
{ "beneft orr parry"
6 All children Of slaves, born within the
said State, after the admission thereof into
the Union, shall be free. but may be held
to seryitude until the age of twenty five
: years !; and the further introduction Of
slavery or involuntary Sc rvitude is prohib-
J. tied, except for the punishment Of crimes,
Q whereof the party shall have been duly
} convicted"
z This subject was introduced into Con.
D gress, we believe in 1878. and continued to
0 agitate Congress and the Union until 1921
: when il was through the untiring exertions
of Mr.. Clay, brought 10 a f6al and triun.
!. plant close, and which entities him 10 The
united gratitude Of the whole Union-bul
! more particularly the South. That We
i may not be accused Of being too much a
/" partisan. ? we offer as proof of our as.
sertion, The testimony Of one Of Mr.. Van
I Euren's deroted friends--it is as follows
. In relation 10 the admission of new
States with the power 10 hold slaves, i need
4 do no more than to refer you to my re.
E corded votes against the admission d
i. Missouri with this power. That opposi-
j ton which it required some frmness tc
perscgere IN, would doubtless have proved
= successful, but for the extraordinary influ.
enee and extraordinary efforts Of ons naaa
!. Henry Clay, who was supposed BY some
& to have Tesorted to extraordinary means &c
4 accomplish his purpose.
( In the midst Of constantly messing Of
fetal duty, / have been able to snatch a fen
moments 10 give you a sketch 81 fear II is
3 al imperfect as wellas a hasty one1 OF ny
: opinions on The interesting and important
& subject mentioned BY you. i care not by
!. whom, or how far, they are known. re-
s main your faithful friend. &c.
3 MARCUS MORTON.
MoRToN EDDY, Esq. Bridgewaler.
We have another serious charge, con
necicd with the South, which we opise
has slipped your memory. and IS which NJ,
would call your particular attention.
While 10 HE Senate 81 The Unite,
= States AIr Van Bnren voted 70 retain
/. teciioa q BIZ relating to Florida. ,5hfci
prohitile5 e graiioa from tie SAFES
Z and ite seflsms 81 llial tori. n sE7re
unle teif masters settled there also.
g a iTlIs sprinltlhg Msrs. Editors. &
.itern feelings. with Southern prin
+ ciple
q To do away the importance 81 ihe q.
q 81 the vote blr. Van BnFe gave nth
q Convention Of bis State. codcedihe 8
g. lsgitiais right 81 uegross IS vote, Sc
sbcN, that he was oppos sd to coaccdin
that right under my chromosomes 81
y only IS aaqilelnc icst SO ID lcr be rroiert
'e qualification. We contend. ne stci d
E tentative pro nie ,
Be Qa Ga SUBJECT OF ne 4srA Mf. Va
lir Bnren hod "A 1hc ~ p'1Y and 4