The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-09

t9g- The following extracts are from letters
recently received either BY ourselves, or by gem
tlemen who have kindly placed them in our
hands. 3
! The first two extracts are from a gentleman
of the North, who has occupied next to the
very highest station in this government, and
who is one of the very first of its ornaments
as writer, a scholar, and patriot.
The others are from the South:
,ssOf late years have taken no part in politics.
but this is crisis which might almost call voice;
from the grave TO warn those theughtess, os
reckless or unprncipled politicians, who are stakr
ing the happiness, not only or their country, sut
of the world, on their miserable struggle for Office
There is probably not Of these patriotic candi-
dates for the Presidency, that has any other views
in the settlement of the slavery question than
those of mere personal advantage. For my part
would vote for the devil as President II were
assured that he would honestly set about setting
this dangerous question. But don't despair of
the Republic. Providence has placed it in a posi-
ton Of such unparalleled advantages, that 1t cannot
be ruined by all the petty efforts of folly and am
bition. It's destiny will be controlled, not by
man, but by his Maker, who has combined all
those causes that make actions great, glorious,
and happy in its powers. Whether governed by
King Stork or King Log; whether steered by q
fool or mailman, the ship will find its way to her
destined haven amid all the storms that howl
around her. She may creak little now and then,
but trust her timbers are strong enough to hold
together for ages to come. II she is ever lost IL
will be by struggles who shall be captain. In
country where the people are the real sovereign,
none but the people can ruin 1t. As yet trust
that they are not prepared for selfdestruction.
/ fasst he IF he nOlItICIanS
amazes me. With their property, their safety,
their lives, and their all at stake with one great
common interest, and embarke in the same bottom,
each one seems to have. seized his own plank, and
all are padding in different directions, wthoutany
concert of action. So far as can see, there IS not
single point which they all agree; and it seems
a moot question whether, if the North were IN
clned to concede all they ask, they would know
exactly what they wanted. In Gods name, is
this time for them to indulge their party feelings,
or sacrifice their vital interests to party minor dis
tinctions, There should be but one party among
them--the party of seledefsnce - setf.preserpa-
fiof. Let them all toe the mark at some one great
point and there fight it out, shoulder TO shoulder.
If it must to contest of sections, the VIC
tory will be with that which is most united and
homogeneous. The comparative weakness OF the
South will be made up for by the current Of a
great common interest, which is wanting in the
North, and cannot be supplied by fanaticism.
we nave no great cOnSOiluatliS Interest,", para
mount to all others, and can never be brought to
act in concert. 1t is in the power of the South to
rule when it pleases--all that is necessary is
UNION .... .....
:" | am no friend to the Compromise, as it now
stands. 1t is only the Wilmot Proviso little d.
uted, and leaves the question Of the equal rights
of the States unsettled for future discussion. II
the South were united, better trens might be had
but in its present distracted condition, think the
extension of the Missouri line should be the ulti-
matum, if they can unite on that. If they can
not, see no alternative but to get what they can,
and accept of what they can get.
Nothing but close union and a bold stand
will save the South from the continued encroach-
ments of the Abolitonsts, who will not stop at eX-
GLIDING them from the territories. Whenever an oc.
casion presents itself, they will put forward new
|pretensions, as an excuse for new compromises,
until in the end, the North will have nothing
more to demand, because the South has nothing
more to give. ..
Believing as I do, that this confederation OF
States can only be permanently preserved in peace
and harmony on the basis of perfect equality,
am equally mortified and disappointed at seeing
the strange diversity Of opinion among the repre-
sentatives from the South, at crisis that calls for
united action, and concentrated vigor. All their
| threats Of secession amount to nothing when
we see them pulling away in different dl
rections since it is clear that if they cannot agree
in measures Of defence, they will not agreee IL
the last resort.
The friends they have in the North, are dis
heartened at seeing this want of union, and then
enemies animated by new hopes. They know
that if the people of the North were once tho
roughly convinced that the Union was really en-
dangered by this crusade against the rights of the
South, they would cut themselves adritt from the
Abolitionists at once and forever. But they are
persuaded to the contrary by their leaders, aud
by seeing the divisions of the South, on subject
of such vital interest. They cannot believe thai
people who differ so radically in the means, car
be brought to agree in the end. For myself, car
only say, that If the South is at last pushed the
wall, it will deserve its fate, for it is quite evident
that large portion of its Representatives, ARE more
governed by their petty party interests then by a
proper regard to their future safety and happi.
ness.
| "The Report is here understood to concede to
the free States all the territory recently acquired
from Mexico, and the portion in dispute between
Texas and Santa Fe. suppose there can be no
difference of opinion as to this Now if free
State could be established east of the Rio Grande
and extending to the Gulf, the deed would be
done. We know not what efforts may be brought
to bear to effect the object. Powerful induce
ments could be held out to Texas. 1t is to be
hoped they would not prevail. But if we look
back and consider the Yazoo fraud, we are warned
not to put too much confidence in legislatures.
! We must have an outlet for slave population
The Mexican States on the Gulf present them.
selves, and are destined to fall into our possess
sion. If free State intervene, the child is prob
ably now born, who will see the finale of slavery
in our country, and the abandonment of several
Of the Southwestern States by the whites.
| 1t seems to me now is the time for the South
"to dispute every inch of ground and burn every
blade Of grass" to prevent the passage of the mis-
called Compromise bill. Chngman, of North
Carolina, took, in a speech he delivered, the righ
view, | received one Of them from you, fol
which you have many thanks His course would
check the rabid Free-Soilers; if necessary,
would rejoice to see the effort made.
Why should we falter' Our destruction is
aimed at. We are stronger this year than We
will be next We will be becoming weaker and
the North stronger. 1t too often happens thai
the languid mariner prefers the calm port, though
near the whirlpool, to the boisterous ocean that
can alone lead to safety. Such is our condition.
The South has been conceding, until all is about tc
be taken Let $50 30 be the line between the two
portions of the Confederacy, acknowledged by
Congress and confirmed by the sympathies oftht
people. If not | think we had better divide
The South would have nothing to fear, and hei
prosperity would in my opinion be greatly in