Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-08
Mr.. Seddon-What is The True Southern Policy?

Mr.. Seldom What is The True Southern Policy
Mr.. Seldom, the representative in Congress
from this district, in letter recently addressed to
the Richmond Examiner, declares his fixed deter
animation to vote against the Compromise bill of
the Senate. We extract the greater part of the
letter, as Mr.. Seddon's constituents must be pre-
sumed to take peculiar interest in his views:
The opposition Says Mr.. S. of the South to the
Wilmot Proviso not TO simple name to in
srumentality but to princple-a system and an end
sought to be established and accomplished by that
sure. The whole South warred and stands thoroughly
committed against exclusion of the citizens of the
saveholding States from participation settlement, and
equality OF privilege in the vast expanse OF territory
CURED by a common Government, by joint exertons
and sacrifices, from Mexico. The South was demand
ing right believed be clear, existing constitutional
privilege and although asserted by them the negator
OF the power to pass the Wilmot Provso, such mega
tive position simply because the unjust prohibition
had only been sought to be accomplished by that sin
gle measure. Any other decree or instrumentaty in.
Voked to accomplish such unjust exclusion must be
equally repugnant to their honor and safety, and be
equally the ground OF resistance at every hazard and
to the last extremity You therefore clearly right
IN Insisting that acceptance OF the present scheme of
Compromise would be an gnomnious backing out from
the position deliberately assumed, and complete aban
donment OF all the substantial rights heretofore asserted
by the South.
The scheme seems to me one of the most odious ever
prescribed to ldemands concession-concession of
vital rights at every point and far can perceive
gives compensation Whatever-not even the Door
boon OF equal privilege and simple protection of our pro-
perty in the Territories OF Utah and New Mexico the
least valuable OF our new acquisitions. It sanctions and
consummaes the outrage OF our total exclusion from the
immense extent and exhaustess treasures of California;
ia which, if OF the South had had fair play and equal
rights, should have had, at this very time ten or
twenty thousand slaves yielding to their owners in the
savehoding States from ten to thirty millions of yearly
revenue; while the moneyed value of the whole slave
property OF the South would by the natural demand for
aoorers IN so profitable business, have been increased
at least one hundred per cent Is tnot monsrous out
rage that the only aborng class in the world debarred
from participation In the mineral treasures of California
is the laborlng class OF halt of this Union and
this done without law, against the assent of Congress-
on the mere invitation insigation of the Executive
BY the horde of Adventures and espassers attracted
from all parts of the world with the thirst of gold By
this scheme not only the whole OF the claim of Texas
the Territories acquired in her right and her name but
also very large territory heretofore conessedly part
of Texas, and under the jurisdiction OF her laws es-
tabshing slavery is surrendered nay, IS paid for by
millions OF treasure be subjected as all admit
90 ie doubtful hazard-and as believe TO the certain
destlny--of Free Sosm The right OF Congress ove
the institution OF slavery IN the District OF Columbia
by this scheme implicitly admitted and Is only arrest
ed now by the concession OF interference with one
the direct and essential incidents property in slaves
ihe right OF buying and selling them. The clear con
situtonal obligation OF the North to surrender fugitive
slaves is indeed acknowledged but only to be ham
peyed and restricted by cumbrous conrvances to ap
pease their prejudces and delay the yindcaton of ou
rghts For all these concessions on the part OF the South
the only compensation pretended TO be offered by the bill
is the torbeaFance 10 Utah and New Mexico OF the
needless Insult of the Wilmo provso, go nomiae;
while them the exercise of Jurisdiction by the
territorial governments for the maintenance OF the
3aon OF master and slave the conservation of slave
property Is positively prohibited. Surely such scheme
ought not eyento De acqulesced in submitted to by
the South, torced on AS by the tyranny of Northern
majority. TOW passing strange then that Southern
Representatives are expected and called on to approve
and pass by Their own votes, Not merely submit
fo1he inevitable chain, but to aid in manacng our
of honor and safety Others may do as their convic-
lions and their eonscences may allow, but for mysel