Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-10-26
Tur Sr.yrRv QUESTION AT THE NORTH

plunge into the vortex OF mutual criminatioh
and recrimina,ion in which the press OF This
State isnow involved, growing out Of the dis
cussion of the power OF Congress 10 legislate
upon the subject of slavery in the territories.
1t is enough for US here 10 say, that, in CON-
mon with the Democratic press Of the entire
South, we are opposed, in toto, not only TO the
exercise. but also TO the assertion, of any such
power We believe that the Wilmo, proviso,
or any kindred measure, is not only inexpe-
dent but unconstitutional, and we firmly be-
lieye that this is the only proper ground for
the South TO take upon this question. the only
ground she can take, either with safety or
with honor, and the only one upon which, if
she is determined to assert her rights, she can
do so without the danger of a collision with
the people of the North. We will briefly state
our reasons for so thinking reasons foun-
ded, not in abstract speculation, but in actual
observation.
| In the first place, we will state fact which
any Southern man, with his eyes open, can
easily verify, before he has been day in any
part OF the North, and that is, that the feeling
Of the Northern people, without distinction of
party, is strongly opposed to slavery and sla-
very extension. Of this fact there can be no
sort of doubt. and it is as we'll to state it plain
ly and al once. But at the same time that the
feeling of the people of the North is Identical,
the position of parties is essentially different.
The Wing party at the North make the slave
~ question party test, and assert that IN SO
doing they will be borne out by their party at
the South. They argue, and with truth, that
some of the most violent, if not OF the most
able, appeals in favor of the constitutonality
of the Wilmot provso, come from the South
ern Wing presses-that their opposition 10
such restriction is merely put upon the ground
of xpediency-and that should Congress pass
such law, it would be quietly acquesced in by
the whig party, at least, in the Southern States.
On the other hand, it is known that the South
, ern Democracy, 10 a man, have taken the
strongest and most decided grounds in opposi-
ton to the proviso, and against the power OF
Congress to pass any such law--that the
Southern Democratic presses base their oppo-
sition TO ii upon the high ground of constitu-
tional right, and not upon that of mere eXpe-
diency. This is felt by the Democracy of the
North, who, whatever their feelings may be
as individuals, are sill unwilling, as party
TO adopt sectional test which must divide
them from their brethren Of the South, or &c
press doubtful or disputed power to the ex.
tent of risking the union not only of the par.
ty, but OF the States
: We may fairly lay it down as a rule, tina
! the position, upon this question, of any party
at the North, may be ascertained, in a grea
= measure, by observing that of the correspond
= ing party at the South. The people of The
. North, of all parties, are anti-slavery in the
- feelings How far these feelings may assume
: the form of action, depends upon the length
: to which it is believed that action may be car
{ party at the South, but especially in Nortl
:, Carolina, have been engaged in a sort of jus
tifcation, if not advocacy, of the principle o
the Proviso, and their position is taken as
~ tacit acquescence, which the necessity o
their position only prevents from being an opel
= approval, consequently their political brethren
;: at the North can see no necessity for restrain
ing the manifestation of their feelings upon
- question in regard to which their Southern co
:. adjutors are either openly with them in opin
ion, or express their dissent so very family a
to have all the force of an approval.
With the Democratic party the case is dif
:. ferent. The position of the Southern sectio
n of the party upon the slavery question is de
I'd cided and uncompromising. Instead of yield
n ing 10 the pressure from the Northern States
OF it asserts its right 10 be felt, and it is felt
e, the councils of the national party. The con
P. trolling power of the party is located at til
n South. Its interests are identified with thu
1t, section Of the Union, and consequently the ii
Ill diyidual wishes of It's members at the Nortl
On upon this particular issue, are waived, or M
be brought directly into the arena, out of desil
on to promote the unity of the party, from respe'
ed to the opinions and attitude of their polite;
brethren at the South, or from conviction {
Is, the impossibility of rallying the whole part
nd upon any such issues, or even of obtaining Ii
. acquiescence of the South after such restri
ur ton should have been passed by Congress.
If, from the first, the same position had bee
it assumed by the Southern Wing party whic
Is has been taken by the Democratic party,
oa would have materially contributed 10 the Sc
he Element of this question. But the miserabI
rts quibbling, temporizing, erpedieney policy, at
:. vocated by the Southern Wing press, while
~ of gave strength and confidence 10 the Abolition
ers list elements in their own party, destroyed Il
u- moral power which a united Southern publ
To opinion might have exerted, and, by the col
ls' tagion of its example, weakened The hands
,al the Democrats in their unaided endeavors
maintain the rights of the South. If porto
lal of the Northern Democrats are unsound-
IL few of them are as sound as they should
m upon this question, such unsouEdness is mai
be ly attributable 10 the demoralzing influence
per Southern public opinion, as expressed throue
al Az the organs of the Wing party. If there y
exists party at the North who are willing
adhere TO the guarantees of the constitute
~ and respect the rights and feelings of the Sout