Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-02-17
The Nerc YoA, and Virginia Controversy

The Nelc YoN and 'irgiHia Controversy.
The Charleston Mercury Mr. Calhoun's
organ. is nursing the quarrel between
Virginia and New York with great ASST
duty. It is no want Of charity, when we
sec the hands which have. been busiest
Excepting Gov. Gilmer} in taking hold Of
this matter, and the tongues and pens
most active in cxaggeIating the wrong
done to Virginia, to suspect the design of
Loco Focoism - make a little political
capital out of il Seward is The Wing
Governor OF the Wing State Of New York
and the scheme Of Calhounism is to inn
puic, by inuondo, hostility on the part of
Northern Wings, generally, to Southern
institutions, and upon this among other
points rally the South IN favor Of Mr. Cal
houn. Like all other plans Of the same
schemng school, ofwhich so many have
Appeared within the last fifteen or twenty
Years. il will fail.
That Gov. Seward is clearly wrong In
his construction of the Constitution, we
have no doubt at all that he as certai ~
thinks himself right, we have Just as little.
II is manifest, TOO, from all the symptoms
that New York comedies with him: Nor
can we deny to him or them the same
,ip'tto construe the Constitution for them
selves. and to ienaciorsly adhere TO their
construction, which We claim for our.
selves.
What, then, is wisest TO dol Negotia
ton is evidently fruitless, and serves ne
other purpose but TO irritale, and confirm
each party in It's preconccpiions. Ii ha
utterly iailcd to do any good. lfwepro
coed to rally the Southern States in tn
assertion of the doctrine for which W
contend, what good do we then effect p
If our circumstances fail, are theirs con
ioined likely to have more effect? Or,
tled, and they fail, what must we do ther
CARR the controversy before Nation,
Convention and we should be beaten ther
Carry ic befofe Congress, and we sha
find all the non slavehoding States again
MS. Having pushed matters 50 far, "
shall finally have either 10 push them IA
Their yet, or back out from the conte
with imputations upon US not very acce
table 10 our pride.
Or must we follow the course Of Geo
cia towards Maine. and intcrdict int
course with New York! Ihat,we thin
would be far more manly and magn
nous course. than the eiernal shejdii
ofink and legislative babbling which a
likly 10 ensue, If RECONSIDERATION pou
ucs upon this matter TO make CalhOl
capital oft has already set to work TO d
but IN the event Of that course, shedld y
punish New York or ourselves "
,,uess. as Jonathan says, we should cor
Gut Of the little end the horn.
In this state Of facts, when abstraetiO
'Tc the subject Of controversy, constil
iioual construct ons involving no practiC
present grievance Of any moment, n
Evcr lkly TO involve any, for il is not pT
bablc that the offence xii be repeai'
what doesit become ta'esmen TO do 7
We speak not Of politicians and Preside
makers, bot Of wise legislators, who 10
n great ends. and aim to accomplish the
bv ist means. Is this rival construct
az \ clause Of the Constitution betwe
nav York and Virginia, ~orihy of
ortho risque Of war, or ofhazarding,
~ aov 70 IN Or shape, the tranquility ands
btiv'of the Union
We have Legislature unusually sou
and practical, and we shall abide q
Jsc;s;on with the greatest conhdence'
r., Cnshonnsm soar to the clouds uT
~. subject. end IL possible, coin mo
Ia rn,;tns from Il for its idol. Al
!, las exhausted is arts, we hope the
',islature will not think the matter wor
ofnny farther attention, save TO streng
On ~ enac.mcuts and prevent any rep