Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-08-19

~hNN' SOPnSSS 'ihe Va NANllCllICH
we 60 into sober comparison Of the rea.
sons for, and against, and see what can be
made of it, IF we had the least intima
ton that the public felt the slightest in'e
rest in the matter, we would submit some
facts to its consideration.
The PECULIAR INTERESTS OF THE SoUTH
The southern portion of this confedera.
cy occupies position hat different
from the rest Of the Union. The South.
ern States have been for some time in pos
session of a species ofproperIy not known
TO the other sections Of the country. 1t
becomes them 10 have some regard to the
tenure by which they hold this property.
There has been for some time u sustained
and systematic effort, male mu'taneous'y,
by an influential poriionof Europe and this
country, aimed as the continuance of Az
rican slavery, as it exists in the South Al.
lantic and South Western portions Of this
Union. The greater part of the misudg-
ing world does not understand the relation
between master and slave in the states OF
the so.', the most gross and improbable
Interpretations have been pamod up
on the minimizing, AMI morbidly benevo-
lent We ore deprived Of all the sympa
,hies of the world abroad, and a large
portion of our own country. From year
to year, point after point has been yielded
to our enemies, and as different commu-
mites and people, have taken up the sub
ject, the circle has been narrowing around
Us. Too many persons in high places,
that any alteration of the sys
tenn is altogether impracticabIe, have
weakened our ground by admitting that it
is great moral and political evil. They
have judged hastily, without considering
the nature and capabilities Of the African
race, and in what condition they are most
likely to enjoy Tho greatest amount of hap
piness. The people oil the south are we'll
aware that they understand the subject
better than their neighbors, and as hey
see the necessity and practicabllity Of the
system, it becomes them in selecting per-
sons TO occupy the most impo, tant pc IS in
the republic, TO see that they are entirely
with US in feeling as we'll as theory.
For instance, in our support Of can.
didate for the presidenc., it is mol enough
that he be one who recognises no right in
Congress, under the constitution, TO inter
fere with our property. He ought to be
man who has no sympathies with the en-
mics Of the peculiar institutions" of the
south. Although there is no mode by
which we can be reached by aw-without
the federal constilution-ye'
there is a tremendous moral inf renee,
brought 10 bear on us, from all parts of the
christian world. To admit that we are
living in the commission Of "great moral
and political evil" is 10 yield all our out
posts; it is to admit the enemy within cur
entertainments. Those who admit this
are estoped from any defence. Their
hands are tied, and their mouths are shut;
for they cannot defend before the world,
that which they have admitted to lie both
morally and politically wrong. We should
meet the enemy at our borders. We
should take the ground that the existence
of African slavery amongst US, is neither
a political nor moral evil. And in doing
so, we would not be subject to The penal.
lies of war for refusing TO yield an Jude.
fensible fortress; for the argument in favor
Of the position taken, we consi Ter on.
ly highly respectable, but to our mind con.
elusive. 1t is the perfection of fo..'y 10
attemptto defend that which we have al.
mitte3 to be wrong. In vain would we be
defended by constitution an laws, FIR the
overwhelming force of public opinion-,o
which we could make no resistance, having
brown nway The only efectual shield
would bear away the constitutional g,arde