Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-11-13

cumsance which on The contrary, has
greatly diminished, and is regularly d.
minishing, her sectional weight in the
Union but because she has produced
such men as Washington, Henry, Mar
shall, jefferson, Maids n, Monroe, and
Writ, not 10 mention living characters Of
hardly less distinction and dignity. Most
OF these persons, 1t is true, held slave, but
they exercised influence, not as sarehol-
ders, but as men. If these men or some
of them, have possessed mnre weight in
the Union than others OF equal merit
al the North, it has bcen, apprehend, not
because they held slaves, but because
they took views of The policy of the coun-
try more in accordance with the genius OF
our institutions, and which for that reason,
have ultimately obtained the almost unan-
mous assent Of the people. 1t is fact
which cannot be disputed, and need not
be disguised, that on all the great ques'
lions that have necessarily agitated the
country, the South has taken the side
which has finally carried the people with
il, and what is still! more remarkable, nc.
count ior it as we may, the side most fa'
rorable 10 liberty. aIlude of course, to
dominant parties and the general tenden-
CIV of opinion. In the controversies which
grew out Of the foundation aud conslruc
lion If the Federal ConsItniIon-and in
those which suc"e, dad, AMI had their or.
gin in the revolutionary struggles OF Eu-
rope-in the disputes with Great Britain
respecting neutral rights--on the great
financial questions of The Bank and Pro-
tec,ion-we find the north, right or wrong.
uniformly on the side Of power--the south
on that of Liberty. Even on isolated cues
tons, like tn of the acquisition Of Lou
seems to have no c0nnec-
lion with general princIples-the South
has had the fortune to espouse the opinion
that has finally been sanctioned by The
people. At this moment, when region
not inferior, as | have said, in extent and
richness, to the kingdom Of France, as
thrown, as it were, into our arms, the
reasons which, as think
have shown, will hardly bear examination
.repes the magnificent god-send; the
South is ready to receive 1t with eagerness
and gratitude. There can hardly be a
doubt which Of these two sentiments in
regard to this measuer, will finally prevail
Ihrougout the country. 1t will not lie
Dre,cnded-at least at the North thai
of shareholders is naturally, as
such, more favorable 10 liberal principles
Dt government, than one composed en-.
irely of lreemen; but it is not very diff
cult to imagine that in Il country like ours
where all The institutions are passed on the
principles of Liberty, the supporters OF Ito
,ral principle should regularly maintain
he ascendcncy. How it has happened
hat the slaveholdng South should have
Uniformly raised the standard OF liberty
md the free North that of power, is Gu
'ious question, which has often been ask
ID, but never sat slactllily answered.
Perhaps the native generosity and lofty |
pirit of the South are better guides To the
Judgement than our vaunted Northern al.
.ulalion. The fact is certain, and it is jp
his fact, taken in connection with the
,ower OF steadiness which Southern states.
men have evinced in supporting their opln-
ons in the national counils, that we must
ook for the cause of Southern preponder-
nee. The South has exercised influence,
lot as a community of Shareholders, but as
he able, vigorous and eloquent champion
# popular and state rights-in one word
liberty. Let the North adopt the same
curse and she will find no difficulty
With her overhowing exuberance Of mate
ial and intellectual resources-in arriv-
ng at the same result; nor will the attain.
1ent OF It he at all obstructed by the
doption of kinder and more courteous
me in regard 10 the South, than tina.
,hich prevails in the controversies of the
rsent day"