Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1839-06-11
THE RIGHT SPIRIT


Freedom" They breathe the right spirit and
present in their true light the tendencies of the
doctrines ofthe Aboltionists. II similar meet
ings were held IN all the principal commercial
cities and towns in the North to adopt and ex-
press similar views, much of the acrimonious
feeling now existing in the South against our
Northern brethren would be allayed, and Ab.
ohtionsn would receive its death blow
WHKRBAs, il is tho imperative duty Of
E &c people TO exercise un,iring vigilance
over the progress Of opinions, and the com.
mission Of acts, dictated by despotc AFRO.
ganca or fanatical zeal, and
WHEREAs, the unceasng efforts of the |
Abolnionists in the Northern States against |
the institution of domestic slavery at the
South, ia defiance Of the expressed wishes
oEour Southern brethren and in deroga. |
ton of the rights secured TO them by the |
Constitution, has excited strife and hatred
between different portions ofthe American
pcople-the descendants of one common
anceslry--the inhabitants Of one common
countryside inheritors of one compton
Ouu BlOlsOuS NCSAllN u0S dWOhGUGQ as
trust of our public and plighte5 faith has
infused jealousy and suspicion into the
counsels Of sister states and has weaken.
ed in some quarters that deep rooted at.
tachment Of the Union Of these states on
whose unbroken continuance depend the
safety, the prosperity, and tie happiness of
oil.
We, merchants, manufacturers, me-
chancs and inhabitants of the City Of New
ark, in the State Of New Jersey, knowing
the situation and approaching the feelings
Of our fllow citizens in the Southern
States, deem it expedient to promulgate
our sentiments in relation TO the unwar-
ranted schemes and nefarious acts of the
advocates Of the immediate Abolition o.
Slavery.
Therefore, ReSslred, That the expert.
cree of the last fifty yeaEs.has demonstra.
ted the advantages Of our present glorious
Constitution in the Preservation Of individ.
ual rights and ofcivil liberty.
ReSolUed, That the Union of these
States is Of paramount Importance to the
welfare Of the American people-thst all
minor Considerations Of public policy and
ofparty ACKNOWLEDGEMENT should yield to
tho necessity ofits maintenance, and that
the efforts Of bigotry and fanaticsm TO
weaken the bonds of mutual interest and
of mutual affection between its several
members demand the severe reprobaton
of all true friends of their country.
Resolved, That the Constitution was
formed upon the principles of mutual con-
cession and of mutual sacrifice Of section
al feelings and interests, and that the no.
bic spirit of Cancellation and forbearance
manifested by its illustrious trainers, by
which the discordant and diversified opin.
ions Of conflicting minds were harmonised
in the completion Of that instrument, de.
serves tho imitation of ali succeeding pa.
triots and statesmen.
ReSolred, That the Constitution recoe.
MICS the existence of the institution of do.
mestic slavery in tho several states where
1t Prevas-sarttions IFS policy and its
continuance by its provisions for q repre-.
sentotlon based on slave population, and
for the arrest and delivery of fugitive
sayes-guarantees the protection of the
states from servile instructions as well as
foreign wors-and contains no grant OF
power whereby the gradual or immediate
abolition Of slavery can be effected by the
action Of the Federal Government.
ReSolrcd, That even if the constitution.
al power Of Congress to abolish slavery in
the District ofColumbia, or in the terrific
RIGS Of the United States, or 10 regulate the
transmission of slaves from one state 10
another were universally conceded, the
exercise Of that power at the present time
would be inexpedlent, impolltic, useless anC
unjust.
ReSolreI, That the origin Of domestic
slavery in the Southern States may b.
traced to the selfish colonial Iolicy of the
English Government, and IN part to thu
commercial enterprise of the Northern ant
Eastern Colonies, and that the aspersion
and sarcasms so profuseIy bestowed upo
our southern brethren, fall back with re
doubled force on the progenitors of thos
who employ them.
Resolred, That the attempts made b
the Abolltionsts to bIacken the characte
of the citizens ofthe slaveholding states
TO traduce their well earned reputation fc
honor, integrity, and patriotsm-to bran
the owners Of slaves as unprlncpied, IRE
ligious and cruel--and to represent the
as harsh in conduct and rigorous IN pun
ishment towards their laborers, are dIsr
garded by us and by the great majority
the people Of the north, and arc Genounct
as the gross and slanderous calumniatiol
Of bigoted or unprincipled men.
ReSolUed, That the constant appeals
the Abolition publications addressed to Il
passions and prejudiccs of the colort
race-the declarations concerning Il
lights, numbers and power of the slaves
our sister states-the numerous and r
peated calumnes in relation to their trea
nent and condtion-the bitter denunci
tons of the masters who control and er
ploy thcm-the false and infamous pictur
which accompany and illustrate these pa
locations have direct tendency TO fiji Il
slaves with discomfort and hatred--to G
cite servle insurrection in the southel
states-to spread conflagration, ruin al
massacre over half the Confederacy, al
70 ALLEVIATE, distract, and divide the Unic
iself-that the diffusion of these public
tons should be discouraged, and that the
authors should be proclaimed as traitors
to the Union, to the Constitution, TO q
cause of enlightened humanity, and to Il
stability of our free aud liberal institution