Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-16
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY.


Mr.. Madison, in one OF the abest essays
10 the "Federasl," reviews in detail the DIS
position and the faculty Of the Stale and Fe-
deral Governments mutually 10 resist and
fruslra,e the MEASURES OF each other. he
places our whole system upon the high, coAsef-
valve principle Of rinai pcao1s-of action end
couaieraetion We touch upon this delicate point,
not lightly nor with any e1Pssason !pat ihsv
sic " - 3ts We sincerely believe will soon
blow over if the South now does its y,)-but
il is always well 10 look a, The worst-"iIom the
netlle danger pluck the flower saie.y"-a and by
viewing the whole field take efficient means 10
ward of mischief. We have often said, and We
say again, tina, The South cannot re;rea, now
from her past position on the slavery question,
whou, encouraging the Northern majority 10 al
tempt to pull down, stone BY stone, all The other
rights that guard and secure the Southern States
that, once degraded, the South must either be
uampled in the dust, or, in an agony Of despair,
unturl the flag Of civil war land, as necessary
inference, that now is the time to show the stuff
of which she is made, and, by the dignity and
frmness o! her attitude, command the respect OF
Athens (Georgia) Banner, one OF the strongest
and most genuine Southern journals, (edited by
Hopkins Ealsey, Esq., formerly in Congress-
puts forth some reflections on this subject SO
clearly and wildly, that we submit them to our
readers They cut speak, We are assured, the
sentiments Of the Southern masses, and, as SUCH
should be weighed and needed by those in whose
our glorious contederacy:
"Sections have only to be true TO themselves,
and their rights are perfectly secure, and with
them the Union If the States. Internal divisions
among the Inhabitants oil section, may, ami
probably would, lead 10 civil war-they would
tempt the general government 10 coercion. The
sword once drawn and blood shed in baltic against
a State weakened by intestine divisions, nigh,
kindle The flame OF civil war throughout the
whole conteceracy The gallant defence OF a
forlress-a hard contested feld-a successful bat
ile-the incidents OF war which usually enlist the
sympalhies or the admiration OF mankind, would |
rally TO the support al The resislanis, particularly
in cause OF the nature of that OF which we are |
speaking, an array oil strength which might soon |
hush The voice OF Internal strife, and convert j |
small parry OF rebels, II you please thus 10 call |
them, into the dominant party; nrst IN The revolt, |
ing slaIe-next in an adjoining slae-and final
ly throughout a whole section. THIS, and this |
alone is the process OF cira aar-of blood-ot The
dissolution and wreck oi the most glorious politi-
ca fabric that The world ever saw
ION the contrary, firm and united attitude OF
resistance by the South will not only repel en-
croachmenls upon her righis-but will preserve
our political Union.
Let therefore, this solemn warning 60 forth
though the length and breadth OF the southern
portion OF the coniederacy-iet il reach The ears
L.. d
preserration that The very best, il not the only
present one unbroken line Of resistance, should
the crisis which threatens her ever arrive.
ACTUAL resistance in battle, We all know would
be civil war and disunion bot united attitude
of resistance, not only may, but will aver, them.
This is Lot only the theory OF our system-lh
philosophy OF man in his individual relations
The voice OF reason, which tells us that The great
er the faculties and resolution TO repel agsres-
sion, the greater the probability that il will not
be atlempled-bu IL is the history Of the gov
eminent.
"Mr Jefferson and his cabinet advised The re.
peal ofthe embargo, for the reason, that the New
and considerate-wiil those who welded the gov
eminent after Them be less 500 This part of our
history should leach New England patieGce, il
not iorbearance, towards The South. If The pre-
servaton OF her contnserce placed her in an attitude
of resistance, can she expect ,hatthe South should
not assume similar position tor The preserva-
ton Of her equality 10 Toe coniederacy, and Of
her domestic institution Z"