The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-17
To The Editors of the Southern Press

| HnksBoRo. Arkansas, August 25th, 1850.
GENrLEMEN, The confusion which has char
| acterzed Southern sentiment upon the subject of
our International relationship, is fast giving way
to deliberate, firm and unanimous 'resolves. /"
| If am not egregiously deceived in the COM
plexion of Southern sentiment, the Southern
| masses are ripe for defence of their constitu-
tional rights and equality.
! The South will never enter into any more COM
promises with the North upon the subject Of sa-
very, for past experience proves that they are i'm
potent for good, and are sneak;ngly suicidal to
| the South. The question is already decided with
the Southern people, that if their position in this
confederacy depends upon REIMBURSEMENT of
their constitutional rights and equality, that they
are ready by ssecession" Tor revolution if you
prefer the tarm) to cut assunder the bands which
hold them only for purposes of insult and plum
der.
We feel, sir, that we have truth, justice and
the Constitution side, and that the Supreme
Ruler of the universe, who, for purposes best
known to himself, decreed that slavery should ex-
list. If God be for us, why should we fear the
consequences We are informed in the word of
God that there is time for all things. We con-
slider the present proper time to make our decla-
rations. The time for sober argument upon this
momentous question has passed by, and in order
that the South may stand justified before the grand
tribunal Of the whole enlightened world, 1t is pro-
per that she should state the causes which are
likely to thrust her out of this confederacy, and
drive her to seek that independence and security
which is denied her in her present relationship.
We hold these truths to be selfevident, that the
issue Of freemen are born free; that the issue of
slaves are born slaves; that God is the author Of
slavery; that the portion Of the African race in
state Of slavery among us are in better condition
morally, mentally and physically, than any other
portion Of the race.
That there is probability that the Northern
majority will suffer the South to remain in this
lconfederacy, unless she will consent to degra-
ded political inequality, and thereby forego a
participation in common rights and common bene-
fits, becoming mere hewers Of wood and drawers
of water to Northern cupidity, fanaticism and
domination.
That the South any longer has no secority in
her connection with the Northern majority, but is
solemny admonished by the past, present and
prospective, to seek new guarantees for her nsti
buttons, prosperity and happiness. That we
must set bounds to Northern aggression upon the
subject Of slavery, by declaring for the Missouri
Compromise line to the Pacific, in the division Of
territory.
That the only certain way TO reclaim fugitive
slaves and to cure the Abolitionists will be found
in the substantial argument in the chapter OF RE-
| PRISALS.
| That it would be more honorable TO die by the
sword, in defence of our rights than to drag out
an existence savouring strongly of servitude, and
leaving legacy TO our children "a legacy of deg
radiation. Yours, &c,