The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-10
Insolent and Insulting Taunt..

sans OF Mr.. Van Buren-once the Northern man with
southern principles" Like the chameleon, it only de-
rives ITS complexion from its position. 1t asserts that
The Washington Union, &c. and other sectional prints
IN the interest OF the Shareholders parading The idea
OF southern convention 10 resist any enactment OF
Congress which may directly Indirectly initiate against
the stability, pcrmanence, and extension commensurate
with the limits OF the Union) of the blessed institution
of slavery"
We have expressed any opinion upon that sub.
iect The slavehoding States will determine for them.
selves the mode and measure of redress in Con-
gess should be unwise enough 10 brand them by it's
measures with mark OF inequality and nferorty in the
Conederacy We do not mean at this time TO endorse
controver the proposition for southern conventon
but confess, that instead of southern convention,
we should prefer convention which should consist OF
delegates from every section of the Union who dis
posed carry out that spirit of Cancellation and COM
promise in which the constitution of this great confed-
eracy of sovereign States equal partners orgi-
nally founded, and by which alone il should be main
tanned.
We go further, and repeat that the Atlas does not do
justice TO the people of the South Its editor rdcues the
spirit of Virginia. 1t asserts that "she will submit with
to that which her from herself from her
panions, and from her peculiar population She will
cling to the Union drowning would cling to the
support of his life" II there any foundation for
this insulting tauntif Virginia and the South were real
y unable to protect themselves against their peculiar
nslutonwe should suppose that the generous spirit of
the North would scon wall itself of her position press
her to the wall If northern man really believed what
the Atlas asserts and were inspired by proper and noble
spirit he would feel too much sympathy for.hs brethren
of the South too much regard for the interests of the
Union and those feelings which should bind together,
abuse his power, and insult any portion OF the confed-
eracy. But the insult Is gratuitous as it is disgrace
full "The blood of Douglas can protect itself" The
South has much confidence in herself, and her sons
are animated with too heroic spirit to dread any move
ment OF the Helots, backed though they ght be with
the fanaticsm of aboonsts AMI the nsidous teachery
of any of the freesoers OF the North. Like the other
southern States, Virginia has men. "hgh- minded men,
whom Sir William Jones has declared in his immortal
Ode, to constitute the Sate" and stronger than walls
and baulements She has officers to lead her troops, if
and she would, moreover invoke her native
sons-Tayor, Scott, Gaines, and a host OF others--o
come to the Let not the Atlas deceive itself.
The South is determined to take the course which its
rights and honor and its devoted love for the Union,
will dictate. 1t may be assured that the South will not
"submit to every encroachment ndignity which the
fanatics OF the North may be pleased to put upon her.
Devoted she is TO this Union dear it is to her as
the "ruddy drops which the hear yet there are
bounds beyond which she cannot permit herself to pass
She feels upon this subject MIR. Jefferson expresses
himself, in of the latest papers which emanaed
from his pen: g They know and value too high
ly the blessings of their Union to foreign nations
and questions arising among themselves, to consider
every nfraction be met by actual resistance They
respect aectonatey the opinions of those possessing
the same rights under the instrument to make every
difference of construction ground of immediate rupture
TheY aeould indeed, consider such rupture among the
greatest calates wtioh could bcfat them BUT NOT THE
GREATEST. There as get one greater-submssion to a
government of unlimited po,ccrs 1t is only when the
hope of avoiding this shall become absolutely desper-
ate, that further forbeaance could not be INDUCED"
Such we have no Doubt is the feeling of every Ameri-
can And therefore we beg leave most respectfully to
and without designing the slightest retor upon the
nsoIent and insulting language OF the Atlas to remind it
and its allies that this blessed Union should be blessing
TO all the confederacy; that its rupture, whilst it will
deepy injure the South will do far more injury to the
North; as great if not greater injury to the North, than
to the South Mr. Giles, celebrated speech during the
embargo times went into all the elements OF this calcula
ton and came to the conclusion that its dissolution would
nflict more injury upon the North than the South.
Time has only confirmed the strength of his argument,
nasmuch as has increased the carrying tlade, and ex
tended the markets of northern manufactures, and aug
menied the demand for the materials OF the southern
region of our country But is it wise TO indulge in this
train of thought? Is patriotic expedient-even decent
TO indulge in those gbes towards the South which dis
grace their authors, bit not the object OF them' We
repeat over and over, that treat this whole ques
ton not as southern men, but Americans friends OF
the Union; that whatever be the character OF this pecuar
population and the Atlas has right to attribute to us
the opinion which it cxpresscs) the South ought and
must be permitted to manage her affairs in her own
wav that she alone best understands the institutonshe
only can devise the best remedy for its evils and that tall
events our oreathes in both regions OF the Union con-
scented to enter into partnership for their COM
mon beneft-each section participating in the blessings
as well as the burdens of the confederacy and that it is
too late to Cypress the one for the benefit OF another
and dangerous at all times to break down the compro-
missing and liberal spirit which presided at its forma
ton and reduce any of the partners to state OF nequa
ty and nerioy We repeat too, that the best way to
preserve the Union TO oppose every attempt which is
made by blind fanaticism, by petty ambition, to de-
grade the savehoding States Let her patiently sub
nit to everything with which she is threatened,
and where is the stopping point How can you
say, Z" Thus far shalt thou 60, and no farther "
Submission to the Wilmot Proviso, brings sub