The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-15


has been deludsd by them into the snare, to him,
Of personal freedoml IL is gross mistake, then,
to euppose thai, IN the event Of a dissolution of
the Union, there will be border war between the
q slavery and antl-savery men along the line ol
separation dividing the free from the slave States.
On the cont airy, is II not far more reasonable TO
conclude that the Northern people, longer stnng
! by their conscences, and mortified in their feel
ings OH account of their political and national re-
! lation TO the institution of slavery while IN the
Union, and annoyed and Disguised with this sPe-
cies of population, they have been and must
continue 10 be hereafter, would rather see to II
that no more OF them should come among them,
and even arrest and return to their owners any
that might stealthily make their way into their
territory. Such, in my opinion, would be the
case; for, IT the number of blacks escaping from
their owners, should increase largely in after
years in the free States, they will soon become
dangerous, well dissolute and troublesome
community TO their exclusive and rery JosidioIs
trhiie Northern brethren. ,..
| But there are other reasons at hand, founded in
truthful and striking analogous cases, going to-
show that, in the nature of the state Of things
which will exist after dissolution of the Union,
the North would never give us another moment OF
trouble in regard TO slavery. And they are to be
found IN our ever peaceful relations, on this sub
| ect, with England, and France, and Mexico. not
| To mention all the other nations with whom we
have commercial intercourse. Why is, that Eng
| and-yes, abolition England whose merchant
men, and every other species of sea vessels. IN as
great numbers, perhaps, and as constantly, from
year to year, those of the North enter and de-
part from our Southern ports, without having IN
the first instance, as yet, to my knowledge, en-.
ticed and carried away single slave: And so, OF
! France-and so of Mexico both Of which latter
too, are equally opposed to slavery with the North.
Why, again ask, is this the case! nnsw n,
without the fear Of contradictions that II IL because
therefore
feel no disgrace responsibility, or any especial
interest in regard to the matter of slavery, as the
North, with some little show Of truth and pro-
priety, aedge of themselves; and not, al 1t has
been said and is believed to be true by many, be-
cause of the fact that great ocean lies between
those countries and our own. And. besides, the
foreigners connected with the sh ps thus entering
our harbors, know very well that IL they were TO
steal our saI es, or permit them to escape from
their owners upon their vessels, while thus en-
gagged in profitable trade with US, that they
would be doing great wrong, for which they
themselves, or their government, If they should be
detected in il or afterwards discovered would be
speedily held responsible and indemnity on the
one hand, or chastsement on the other, as the
party might be disposed TO do us Justice or not,
would soon follow. And hence, they wisely let
our slavery affairs alone. And so it will be after
a separation with the North; they will cease that
very hour to interfere in any way slavery zig not
TO be believed for moment that they would wan
toniy and the hazard of the loss Of their highest
interests continue 10 agitate the sui ect, and an
noy us by interfering with it along the line sepa-
rating the two Republics, or elsewhere. And,
therefore, it is preposerous and absurd to talk
about border struggles, and war between the two
sections, in consequence of dissolution OF the
Union?
IND as to the loss Of republican liberty from
such cause, am really much astonlshed at
hearing Su:h an opinion advanced, that have not
the patience TO reply to it Loss Of liberty in
deed! Why, republican liberty Id firmly
planted in the world, than is the broad and solid
granite basis of our own lofty and seemingly
eternal Alleghanies Yes, when by the effects of
the power of attrition, and the work Of disntegra
ton, the huge mass Of those mighty natural
structures upon the earth surface, shall all have
been removed, down to u level plain, by an almost
imperceptible process through the long lapse of
countless ages to come, the venerable farmer will
drive hrs plough share through their presen, foun-
daions, happy in the enjoyment of republican
liberty, together with all the blessings which flow
| from it.
But let it be supposed that am mistaken in the
| view which have taken of this matter, and that
the North should continue to worry and injure US,
after separation, by stealing and enlicng away
our sav es, along the line between the two repub
lies, and refuse either To give them up on demand,
or to Indemnify for their loss. i'll we would
have the means Of compelling them to respect our
rights. In this particular, without resorting to re-
prsals, or declaring war against them. The Cen
trail Re public, in such case, would only have to
adopt such measures with reference TO the dIspo-
| stlon OF the cotton, and other Southern products,
either to prevent the sale OF those articles to the
N orthern people at all, or 10 make them cost such
an enormous price rs TO amount to prohibition
OF their use IN that puarSer. There are many
ways in which this could be done, as q matter Of
seii-detence ard preservation on the part Of the
! South, under such circumstances, but which It is
not now necessary to anticip pate and explain.
And how long could the North prosper, or even
quietly exist with the large adm ixture of her al
ready crazy population, in regard TO socialism,
neNtanged religionsm, and fanatcism generally,
wiz en- deprived of the means OF keeping their cot
ton factories in motion, and Of supplying the
thousands Of operatives therein engaged with their
dai lily bread? Not single year. IL is clear, then,
th st the South has nothing to fear from the North
as 1t regards her peace and quieness, in the event
OF a dissolution of the Union.
And finally, if all else should fail to the
| S'nith against the wanton encroochm ents and in
| lu stice OF the North, carried on in the face Of
every principle Of right and equality which should
| exist between individuals and nations, then it will
become alike the duty ard the necessity Of the
! G entra Republic, to adopt such a system Of
policy, as will speedily and etfectuay sever the
commercial relations hitherto existing between
TIL two sections, and which always has been and
now amounts TO a system of partial vassalage
| TT part OF the South TO the North, by establish
II the most liberal free trade relations with Eng
| Ia nd, and all other foreign nations who consume
oar products, and manufacture any of those art-
ces which we need, and with which the North
~ supplies us. This course, on our part, would
~, 80 certainly bring the Northern fanatics to their
s. ">' !, and compel them to respect our rights, or
else ing whitening blight, and inevitable ruin,
! VI lHu themselves and their posterity.
we'd 1t would tend directly and speedily to make
j'. central Republic the most independent, pros
re Gus, and indomtable government, that ever
glaced the face of the earth Let no Southern
! NUN be alarmed, then, at the evil prophecies of
| those who have never correctly thought upon a
dissolution Of the Union. | am bold To say, that
| nothing Il at has ever happened since the estab
lis hment on this continent of the simple and eternal
principles ofrepublican liberty, any thing hat is
hIey ever egain TO transpre OF political nature
in this country, is or can lie at all comparable to
! the advantages which would result to the South,
ard perhaps to the world, from such an event !!
First of all, 1t would immediately and f. ever
quiet the agitation of the slavery question, and
0r'ns peace to the country. Secondly, it would