Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-05
WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
Friday, january S, Is49.


"MEN OF THE SOUTH, AROUSEr
Under the above caption, the Raleigh STAN
dard, of the 9th ultimo, with its accustomed
ability. details various steps recently taken by
the Aboltionists and Free Dirt" men, in the
present Congress, all having in view the an
initiation of rights of the Southern people.
guaranteed by the constitution, and until now
considered their sacred and ndefeasible inner
itance. We wish to be regarded as approach
| ing the discussion of the momentous question,
which is involved in these measures, without
levity, and with much deIiberation and calm
ness. 1t forms no part Of our purpose TO
create any unnecessary alarm, or to make any
recommendation not justified by the enlergen-
cy or unsuted 10 its importance. But we are
persuaded that the time has arrived when it
becomes the Southern Press TO express their
views of the dangers which are impending up
on us. We but discharge, the refore, our du-
ty as Southern men, in solemnly declaring our
deep conviction that at no previous moment
OF our political history was there ever so great
an occasion for some common understanding
among the people Of the South, regardless of
party and independent OF party distinctions.
Our property is al stake. Our rights are at
stake Our responsibility and infuence-ev-
erythng that is dear to us as members Of the
Union-are all at stake. We are not among
those who would at this time counsel disunon
or stoop 10 the folly of notification. Those
are extreme remedies. and to be employed on
ly in the last resort but we are not 10 be un-
derstood as declaring that in no case will re.
sort 10 such extreme measures be unnecessa-
~, impolitic, or unavaing. Although all
good men will disapprove Of any premature
action, there is no one who will examine the
recent conduct of the lower House of Congress
who will not doubt whether any action we
might take, even now, would be premature.
These proceedings are contained in the fol-
lowing extract:
First came Roots proposition to report terri
torial bill for California and New Mexico, with
the anli-savery clause attached, and the reporting
of said bill next large vote for the motion TO
abolish Slavery in the District of Columbia next
a still larger vote for the movement of Giddngs,
| to allow persons of all colofs. Slaves well as
freenen in the District of Columbia, to vote at
the polls for or against Slavery; and lastly, the
Infamous Resolutions o! Colt, Of New York, de-
nouncnG the traffic in human beings" in the
District, as '' a reproach to our country through
out Chrislendom.' and ih<tructing the Committee
10 report bill prohibiting the slave trade 10 said
Di=trict-,vhich passed the House of Representa-
tires by q majority of thirteen uotes
No sooner did the Resolution above referred
to pass the House, than a meeting of the
Southern members, without distinction of par
ty, was Immediately convened, " TO consult
upon what steps the rights OF their consttu-
ents required them 10 take )" at which we un-
derstand the following resolution, among 9TH
ers, was unanimously passed:
Resohed. That the South prefers a separation
of the Union 10 the alternative Of the Wilmot Pro-
.iso and the faith of each State he pledged to
protect her interests in said territories al the point
of the bayonet.
MIR. Calhoun is said to have remarked:
conceive that no Southern man can entertain
for one moment. the idea of atne submission. The
action Of the South should be united temperate
but decid d--our position must he taken delihe-
ratey but held at every hazard We wage nc
war Of aggression. We ask only for the consti
tuition and union and government of our fathers.
We ask of our Northern brethren to leave us
those rights and privileges which our fathers held
: and without securing which for their children all
/ know they would not have entered into this Union
These we must maintain.
1t appears 10 me proper that we. who are here
. on the theatre of action. should address our con
: siiucnts of he sIaveholng states, briefly and &C
e curateiy portray the progress of usurpation AMI
aggression. wildly exhibit the dangers whict
G threaten. and leave it in their hands to mark on
the proper line of action. What that should I've i
is nerdless here to discuss. Whatever it is, i
should be temperate, mild. and decided.
: A Committee was appointed TO report al
Address TO the people of the South, and to re
g commend some united plan of action Thu
Washington correspondent of the BaItimor
Sun, usually quite correct and intelligent il
c political matters, remarks:
> 10 not know what they will propose, hut pro
= badly they will adopt the recommendation of tn
= South Carolina Legislature. and call convention
e of the Southern States to devise plan of peacea
bic separation from the Union. unless their right
Il be respected. They canno: do less than this, an
: they may do more.
= 1t is suggested. upon very competent aulho
70 rty, that the Colt resolution will be rescin
lie ded. A proposition to this effect is now I'm
der consideration, and for the sake of that sp
= = rit of Cancellation and compromise-for III
!. sake of the Union tself-we trust the MAORI
- ty in Congress will reconsider the instruction
a We regard the abolition of slavery in the Dis
=. trict of Columbia, as part of a system c
n measures, intended by mad fanatics at tn
+ North to overthrow the whole institution {
k slavery, .chereuer al EXISTS. 1t is but the be
e. ginning of series of measures, whose SUE
At cess will prepare the way for their ultima1
n and fatal design, namely, the abolition Of slo
h. very w'thin the original States.
y, ~ Upon the question of slavery in the TER
+. tories, the language of the resolution aboy
quoted is strong and decided. The TIE
rlories of New Mexico and California hay
- been acquired by the joint abors of the peop
J.. of the whole Union. Southern blood W;
lrt poured as freely in the sanguinary struggl
he which resulted in their acquisition. as that
ne any portion OF the Union They are the con