The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-20

| openly or actively espouse them, but, nevef'he-
less, stand ready 10 enter the breach made py'
more desperate assailants Thus, although the
Abolition vote is not, in any State, as large as
| the representative number we find such men
as Slade and Giddings returned TO Congress,
and returning trumphanty, after the most dar-
ing assaults upon the rights, feelings aud seeu-
rily of the Southern People.
| As yet Abolition is too unpopular with The
mass of the People, even in the free States, Tor
any wary politician TO wish TO be conspicuous
" identified with it, The intelligence VI the
People shows them that the tendency OF Aboli-
ton is to disunon, and that the men hitherto
engaged in il are not their friends. But The
question is, how long this popular feeling
in the free States, which is now almost the sole
security of the South, can stand against the
persevering, organized, jealous and unopposed
efforts of the Aboilionists Operating by means
of numerous connected societies, constantly at
work, and affiliated even with foreign socielie-.
with ample means at their command having
agents in every direction to disseminate their
nfiammalory publications., converting even
school books into infamous libes upon the Peo-
ple of the South, and invoking the name OF re-
Igion, as well of liberty, 10 animate their ad-
herenis, their efforts are certainly not to be re-
garded as mere child's play, or as harmless lu-
.acy They must, at last, succeed, If unresst-
ed, in rendering the character of Southern
STAKEHOLDER a byword in the mouths OF man
kind in Europe and America, and in prosirating
the bulwarks by which the Constitution has en-
deavored 10 protect the interests Of the People
Of the South.
And how can they be resisted? Certainly
not by the formation Of associations which, In
the slang of Abolilionism, would be termed "pro-
slavery societies." There is a natural reluctance
IN shareholders the most firmly convinced OF
their rights, and of the gross injustice of
The assaults upon them, TO expose themselves
TO the danger Of being misunderstood as advo-
Gates OF slavery in the abstract. Many, indeed,
in the heat of argument, and of excusable in
dignation, have gone further than their sincere
friends in the free States felt justified in approx
ing. Hence the advantage possessed by their
opponents. The assailanls oil the South may
be constantly engaged with impunity, in per
Getting their plans of attack, while the defenders
can act only at times. The charge made is a
very simple one; the justification, however
complete and satisfactory 70 every impartial and
intelligent mind, is nevertheless complex, and
pre-supposes patient and candid hearing,
which is not always to be obtained.
We have said that the Aboltionists invoke |
the name Of religion in aid of their incendiary
projects. 1t is indeed their principal plea, and
one 10 which the foreign and domestic Adolf |
tionists unite. Upon this subject we have been
struck with the following remarks in speech
of Mr.. Webster, delivered in New York in May,
1887:
"On the general question of slavery, a great por-
&C., -T .i- auoauy strongy excited
The subject has not only attracted attention as a
question Of politics, but it has struck far deeper
toned chord. 1t has arrested the religious feeling
of the country il has taken strong hold on the con-
sciences Of men, He is a rash man. indeed, and lit
tie with human nature and especially has
be very estimate Of the character Of the
People of this country who supposes that feeling
Of this kind is to be triaed with, despsed. 1t will
sssuredly cause itself to be respected"
We fear from this that Mr.. Webster takes
it for granted that slavery, under any circum-
stances, is Incompatible with religion, which
the Southern People must consider begging Of
the question. The assumption is an attack up
on the religious feeling Of the South, which is
as much entitled TO respect as that of any
other part Of the country. We assert that
there are, among the slave holders Of the South,
men of as sound religious feelings, as truly
Christian in their doctrines and practice and as
rigid IN their consciences, a. can be found in
any section Of the country. We contend that
there may be as much, both Of religion and mo-
rslily, in a Southern city as in Northern. We
will go farther, ard express a doubt whether
there is not less vice and crime in New Orleans,
in proportion to its size, than in New York :
Nay,we will go still further, and declare our belief,
upon the authority Of a friend, that even in the
city Of Galveston, no favorable specimen OF the
much illuminated Republic Of Texas the Sab
bath will present congregations, black and
white, as orderly and attentive, and ministers
as intelligent and fervenl in their piety, as might
be found in some towns of New England
! II is not our purpose, however, to discuss or
provoke discussion Of the religious bearings
of the question Of slavery. We wished merely
to refer TO that ground Of attack upon the People
Of the South, which Abolitionsts and their
friends seem 10 consider the most form liable.
1t is one upon which the Southern people must
make a stand 10 defence Of their characters, as
well as their security aud we repeat that we
know OF no other mode Of defence, than by CON
tending for their constitutional rights to the Ut
most, even at the risk Of startling " the civilized
world" by the annexation Of Texas.