Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-05
THE ATTITUDE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Governor Jobnson's Message is an able ono
but we have space only 10 refer 10 his views up
on the Wilmot Proyiso, which will be the most
important and difficult question, 10 be adjusted
satisfactorily to all parties. We quote the con
cluson Of the message, which very wisely ad-
vises no present action-but urges tho South 10
scrutinize carefully the course of events and
prepare 10 do her duty, in any contingency
The South will be satisfied with the Missouri
Compromise and with nothing less:
The constant and never ending agitation OF The
question oil slavery between The slaveholdins and
non.slave holding Sta'es, apart from The issues
really involved will Of itself in the end inevita-
bly lead 10 The most disastrous consequences
The passions OF communities, like those OF indi-
viiuals are reused and infaned by constant yilu-
peration, however unimportant may be the mat
Ter in controversy; and the degree OF resentment
engendered by il, is in proportion TO the magnl-
tude Of IN. matter involved. To US The question
is vital The issues OF "ife libsrty and properly"
are involved in il the poison oil fanaticism is SO
infused in the masses, that have charity enough
10 suppose that many worthy men CONSCIENTIOUS
Nv believe lhai Involuntary scrTitude IS a damn
inc curse, and would Willingly turn our slaves
loose 10 cut our throals. But Inc mockery II The
more liberia and enlightened politicians OF The non
slayenolding States, IN d'sclainins The authority
OF Congress to interfere with the institution in the
States where it now exists, bur protesting againstis
extension beyond It's present llmits is more gall
ing. Do they not know that The encouragement
and protection given 10 fugitive slaves have rem
dered properly in them oil little value in the boz
der Slales7 Do they mol know that, circum-
bad no al IiroiiS thev
hey will in few years exhaust much OF the now
productive soil, and in their rapid increase in
numbers over Shelm their owners, and drive
them 10 Seel, an asylum lsewhere; and that, by
excluding Them from additional territories alrea-
dy or hereafter 10 be acquired, they will, through
The agency OF Congress, accomplish Indirectly
wha, they cnncede 10 be unconstitutional | will
nol speak II our equal rig as Citizens d this
Confederation. The Argument has been LONG
ago cShaus,e, and demonstration as palPable as
Il mathematical conclusion will avail nothing.
Tho probability is, that whether We will, or
will not, be permitted 10 carry our slaves into
the territory acquired by the treaty with McSi
CO, viii be definitely settled al no distant day.
If against US The question will necessarily arise
rs 10 the measures We ought 10 pursue. All the
other 3lavehoding States have precisely the
same interest in this question that we have, and
we know that many, ii not all OF them, feel the
same solicitude about il that We do, and II may
reasonably be supposed they would readily unite
with US in any measure promising relief With
our united, moral, and physical strength, in
Just and honorable cause, we can successfully
oppose any power that can be brought to bea r
upon us. Concert as to time and manner OF ac-
ton is indispensable 10 this unity, and the ques-
ton now is, when and how this is to be brought
about7 Is the present time proPiiious'
We know already or ha ve abundant reason Ia
suppose, thai The presen, Chiei Magistrate OF the
United States, adopting The Missouri Compro-
mise as a rule, will, il Congress IN Us Jolly AMI
madness, IN total disregard OF reason and right,
exclude Us entirely from he Mexican territory,
inefpose tn. conservative veto poTef lis k1oWn,
to, thai ~ the election o. his succ ssir, many 81
the siav' holding SAFES cast their votes for Il e
candidate who will be elected; and hat IN ali The
rest there was great division; more. probably,
than The results have bfought 10 lighi anu take
il Tor gGan'ed that il was upon The tah, that b.
in. Southern man, he would not be unmindiu
q Southern rights. Il cannot be supposed, then
thai ihe Sales which will vote tor him, and the
mnorI'ieS in those States which will vote against
him. can be brought to ACT together IN anlicioa-
ton that our rights will b. violated under his
"a llihiStIa'ion, ne having Inc power " Pre-
vent it. The present lime is, therefore,
m my judgment unpropiuous Tor action
We ought, Notwithstanding, to provide for any
contingency. The blow may be struck whcH
we are unaware of our danger, and no time
ought to be lost in projecting means to unite the
Slaveholding States in some common mode Of
action when the occasion shall arise; and free
discussion and interchange of opinion viii
greatly promote this object in preparing the
public mind to meet lis consequences. As before
remarked, unity of time and concert of action
are indispensable 10 success, and a Southern
Convention is the most direct and practica
means Of obtaining il
No one State car reasonably hope for success:
when acting alone in opposition to the opinion o.
all the others. The effect of such an attemp
would expose them to be overwhelmed in detail
What, it may be asked, will South Carolina de
if she is lett alone 10 fight this battle2 There
are spirits in her bosom that would Willingly
perish in defence of her rights. But would i
be wise to seek such destiny as long as there
is hope Of succor,