Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-06-28
The Northern Whlgs-The slavery Question.

The SOrthern Whlgs-The slavery Question.
Some few Northern Whigs-Mr. WEBSTER among
the number-have seen fit to assume position upon
the slavery question apparently favorable to the in
terests of the South and so far they have gone
have been willing to accord to them all the credit to
which they may be justly entitled. But careful
perusal of Northern Wing papers and speeches has
led doubt the sincerity of these socalled friends
of the South to regard their apparent friendship as
nothing but snare and deceit assumed for the
purpose of obtaining unequal advantage from the
operation of the revenue laws of the country. In
plain terms, Mr.. WEBSTER, supported by many of
the leading commercial papers of the North, feels
that while the slavery question is unsettled, there
can be no chance to smuggle tariff law through
Congress- and he and they prefer the substantial ad
vantage of being able to tax the industry and enter
prise of the South for the benefit of Northern
acturers to the mere name of an unsubstantial tr-
umph amid the wil1s of Utah or New Mexico. We
notice that of the Wing papers of Pennsylvania
continually urging the immediate passage of the
compromise bill through Congress- to allow time
for the imposition of additional duty of thr
y per cent for the protection of the iron of Pennsl
vana and the spindles of Massachusetts,. Now, we
would ask friends of both parties if statesmen,
tuated by such mercenary and sectional motives are
entitled to any very extraordinary gratitude for their
exertions They have calculated the cost, and find
the balance of dollars and cents in favor of their
present course. Mr. WEBSTER has distinctlyN stated
that his opposition to the enactment of the Wlmot
proviso is founded upon the belief that slavery is
cluded bv the laws of nature from the territories,
This he assigns as the sole reason. He has
serted its uneonstitutionality. He has never said
that he would not prohibit slavery if he thought that
prohibition necessary for its exclusion. He believes
and has expressed his belief that the South gain
nothing by any arrangement that may be made,
hence he favors adjustment, and he hopes that in
case settlement is effected, alteration in the ia
riff law may be brought about, by which the South
may be rendered still more tributary to the North
We have said before, and we repeat it now, that
regard even the Wlmot proviso itself as less d.
recy injurious TO the interests of the South than
the tariff system proposed by the Wings. The South
ern States-North Carolina among the number-are
engaged in the construction of public works for the
development of their own resources for instance,
the people of this section sraining every nerve
to build the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad
the enactment of the tariff laws sought for by the
Wing party would have the effect of enhancing the
cost of construction to the amount of the additional
duty imposed every farthing of which would go in
to the pockets of Northern manufacturers, to the i'm
poverishment of the citizens of the South 1t would
in fact, be direct tribute paid by North Carolina
to Pennsylvania. An attentive observation of the
course of the few Northern Wings who have appear
ed to defend the South has forced upon the pain
full conviction that they all have Interior object
in view and for the sacrifice of what they regard
mere abstraction look forward to obtaining tan
gible advantage positive tribute from the South
We warn our friends that the next movement, after
the slavery question may have been settled, will be
an attempt to revive the exploded tariff system. We
them that any apparent concessions, coming
from Northern Wings, only so many bats thrown
out to render the barbed hook easily swallow.
ed Less than two years time will prove all that
nave asserted. BIf. WEBSTER and his coad]utOrs
merely waive one sectional advantage, which they
regard as being doubtful to another of more
substantial character; one more calculated to ag
grandize the North at the expense of the South thar
any or all others combined, Depend upon it, the
Wing party is essentially essentially sec
tonal in its character The Ethiopian cannot change
his skin. nor the leopard his spots-neither the
Federal party in perfect good faith toward
the South It's origin its character and its tenden
cies, alike forbid it.