Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-04-19

the general government reserved to itself no right
to ntermeddle-in fact, which by compact under
standing, it was implicitly if not expressly agreed,
no interference should be attempted. Slavery be-
ing local institution is exclusively under the con-
troll of the local state authorities where 1t exists
and the only way in which II is TO be abolished Is
not through the legislation ofCongress, but through
| the people and legislatures of the southern states
Its abolition does not necessarily involve change
in our form of government, because its existence
is no where sanctioned by our constitution.
The doctrines of the other party in our country
are, to certain extent, agonst to these, and the
measures Of the one or the other have prevailed,
as the one or other party has been IN the ascenden-
cv They remain yet unsettled and continue to
agitate the country and the final adjustment of
these it is contended, involves consequences which
cannot but be fatal to our Republic Here is found
the rock upon which our political barque must split
and by which we are to be sundered into fragments.
In relation the first, it may be asked, is it pro-
bable that the people of country, being now,
from the discussion which has been had during the
past years, fully conversant with the prln
cipes of banking and the ruinous tendency of the
whole SYSTEM than they have ever before been, and
having within themselves the power to apply the
proper remedy will be more likely to pursue the
wrong course than the right: and if they take the
latter, every sign of the times indicates, and ap
ply the antidote to existing evils resulting only
from Banks, but from corporations in general, can
we deduce from thence any argument against the
perpetuity of our institutions-Woud not a contra
ry deduction be the most reasonable Most GER
tainiy it would.
In relation to the tariff, no one can suppose that
settlement of its principles will hazard the perp-
tuity of our institutions. We have passed through
several storms raised upon this subject, unscathed
and as from the free discussion of which it has of
late years been the subject, the people of our cOun
try may be supposed to be more emil ghtened than
ever in relation to the policy of protective tariffs
or free trade, may reasonably expect that VIII en-
this great question is disposed of will be settled
with view to general ri gifts and interests, with
view to the permanency of Our Union, and to the
perputy of our institutions. If any could tell
how, by dissolution o. the Union, change of
our form of government, the interests of any part
cular State, of the whole, with reference to this
subject are to be better secured and advanced than
now there might be some ground for predicting the
dissolution or change spoken OF, as then there would
be some reason for it, But there is every thing to
lose and nothing to gain by such STEP 1t is not
creditable to the intelligence of the people of
country to suppose they would be willing to adopt
it.
| Internal improvements in the States by the gen.
eral government may probably be considered a set
| tied question. AT any rate, fears need be
tertaned that for many years come, even if there
were no constitutional objections in the way, the
government, for the benefit of the States, will be
likely to launch very extensively, if at all, into such
a system Experience has taught the whole popula-
ton of our country good lesson and think
there is less danger from this cause than at any
former period in our history
The subject of slavery is probably the most threat
ening one, so far the permanency of our Union
! is concerned but in relation to this there
ny unnecessary expressions of alarm and fearful
forebodngs. We do not believe it to be the dispo-
sition of the non-slaveholding nohern states, to
any great extent, to interfere with the question OF
slavery at all in Congressional legislation Every
vote in Congress upon the subject has plainly indi-
every reason to believe that the great advocate of
the ght of petition himself, could he be heard in
relation to the matter he DESIRES would raise his
voice against any interference with the domestic
slave institutions of the South There is not the
least danger that the North will favor dissolution
of the Union, on any ground connected with the abo-
ltion of slavery; and so far the South is
Id ,Io -, &c berr
scntatives of patriotic Indignation against even the
introducer of petition for the dissolution of the
Union at the present session of Congress, is suf-
Gent evidence of what the feeling in relation to
the matter is in that quarter. And that this feel
| ing will change, there is not the slightest ground
for supposing.
But dissolution of the Union would not neces-
sary involve a change of the essential principles or
form of our government. We might have several
republics governments, but who can doubt that
in their essential features, the forms and practices
would be the same now, itnot more purely, DEM
! ocratic.
Our States however, by the facilities of inter-
communication which afforded by systems ofin
ternal improvement, are now too closely united by
commercial and other interests, to harbor the idea
! for moment, OF separating, when that separation
could not but be disastrous In the extreme to the
welfare of all. They connected by strong ties
of interest; and time, instead of weakening the
bonds which bind them together, will strengthen
them, from the fact that every year is adding to the
commercial facilities between them, and making
still stronger their identity of interest
There are other points connected with this SUBJ
iect, viz: the danger to be apprehended to re-
publican institutions from large and constant in
crease of foreign population; the distinctions
which are constantly growing up and increasing in
the older portions of our country between the rich
and the poor the undue influence which the one,