Democratic banner., 1849-07-02

were formed is carried into execution. On.
the contrary, they have looked on and wit
messed with indifference, if not with secret
appreciation, a great number of slaves en-
ticed from their masters and placed beyond
the possibility of recovery, to the great an
noyance and heavy pecuniary loss Of the
bordering southern States. =
When we take into consideration the great
Importance of this provision, the absence.
of all uncertainty as to its true meaning and
intent, the many guards by which it is sur
rounded to protect and enforce it, and then
reflect now completely the objection which
it was inserted in the constitution is defeat
ed by these two-fold infractions, we doubt,
taking all together, whether a more fragrant
breach of faith is to be found on record
We know the language we have used is
strong, but it is not less true than strong.
There remains to be noticed another class
of aggressive acts Of a kindred character,
but which, instead of striking at an express
and specific provision of the constitution,
aims directly at destroying the relation be-
tween the two races at the south, by means
subversive in their tendency of one of the
ends for which the constitution was estab-
lished. We refer to the systematic agita-
ton of the question by the abolitionists ;
which, commencing in 1885, is still contin-
ued in all possible forms. Their avowed
intention is to bring about a state of things
that would force emancipation on the South.
To unite the North in fixed hostility to slave
ry in the South, and to excite discomfort
among the slaves with their condition, are
among the means employed to effect it
Witha view TO bring about the former, e.
ny means are resorted to in order to render
the South, and the relation between the two
races there, odious and hateful to the North.
For this purpose societies and newspapers
are every where established, debating clubs
opened, lecturers employed, pamphlets and
other publications, pictures and petitions to
Congress resorted to, and directed to that
single point, regardless Of truth or decen-
cy; while the circulation of %incendiary pub
locations in the South, the agitation Of the
subject Of abolition in Congress, and the
employment of emissaries, are relied on to
excite discomfort among the slaves. This
agitation, and the use of these means, have
been continued, with more or less activity,
for fifteen years, not without doing much to-
wards effecting the object intended. We
regard both object and means to be agrees
sive, and dangerous to the rights of the
South, and subversive, as stated, of one Of
the ends for which the constitution was es-
tablished. Slavery is domestic institution.
It belongs to the States, each for itself, to
decide whether it shall be established or not;
and, if it be established, whether it shall be
abolished or not. Such being the clear and
unquestionable right of the States. it follows
necessarily that would be a fragrant act of
aggression on q State, destructive of its
rights and subversive of its independence,
for the federal government, or one or more
States, or their people, to undertake to force
on it the emancipation Of its slaves. Bntit
is a sound maxim in politics, as we'll as law
and morals, that no one has a right to do
that indirectly which he cannot do directly,
and it may be added with equal truth, to aid,
or abet, or countenance another in doing it.
And yet the abnlitionists of the North open
lily avowing their intention, and resorting to
the most efficient means for the purpose,
have been attempting to bring about a state
of things to force the southern States to
emancipate their slaves, without any act on
1.-THE part of any northern State to arrest or
suppress the measures by which they pro-
pose to accomplish it. They have been per-
mitted to pursue their object, and to use
whatever means they please if without aid
or c~ountenance, also without resistance OF
disapprobation. What gives a deeper shade
Ito the whole affair is the fact. that one Of the
means to effect their object, that Of exciting dis
~content among our slaves, tends directly to sub.
vert what its preamble declares to be one Of the
ends for which the constitution was ordained ant
lestablished-"to insure domestic tranquility !.
likely ever to bs disturbed in the South. Ger
lain h ia that an aoitafion so MISUNDERSTANDING