The southern press., 1850-09-05


than our share of the proceeds, and that ha'
raised the character of our country for skill, en-
ergy and enterprise, in the highest Department.
Of mechanical, mercantile and naval service.
4 The line in which we happen to have some
interest--the New York and Chagres line--is
specially denounced by the Post. The defence
of this line is easily made against such genera
abuse.
Of all the lines, this has been most prompt in
the construction of the vessels--most liberal in
enlarging tkeir size beyond the strict terms Of
the contract, most successful in the speed ot
their steamers, and most productive in returns
to the Post-offiee. Itperforms the most difficult
Ocean mail service in the world at lower rate
than any other, with better and faster vessels
and more benefit to Government.
If the Post fancies the company shrink from
any Investigation of their conduct under the con.
tract, he is mistaken. The only exception that
can be taken by Government, is the delay in
commencing the service, and in this respect this
company has done better than any OF the others
except one, and in all other respects, better than
any of them, without exception.
We We're mistaken in saying the Ocean Mail
Steamers took the place entirely of the twelve
Government Steamers first proposed. The law
provided for the construction of four of these
and the late Secretary of the Navy, whose com
prehensive knowledge and experience Of nava
affairs, led him to oppose the Mail Steamer Ser
vice, and to complain of its quality, and the
delay in construction, presided over the
building of the four Government vessels, and
with ample supplies from the Treasury, and
abundance of materials and builders in the Navy
Yards, he had on his retirement, completed one
only, the Saranac, at cost of about six hun
dred thousand dollars. Shortly after she was
ready for sen, she was ordered to take dispatches
to Cuba. On her way she broke her engine
and had to put back with the dispatches, and
now lies repairing at Norfolk, with all her Off
GERS and crew on full pay for some months.
As for what we derive from our interest, il
depends on the dividends or profits the company
can make-and if any body supposes they are
very large, we are authorized to say he is quite
welcome to half million of the stock at par
If we are capable of acting from mercenary
motives, how is our course to be explained 3
With a considerable interest in an enterprise
connected with Government contract, and with
twice as much Of property on the northern bank OF
hot tbof frfS
missionsts to any Northern aggression, to save
the Union. But we would rather give ourselves
and children to poverty, than TO advise or acqui.
esce in any such plans Of plunder, rs the Phara,
sale Post is contending for, or even as We re.
gret to say, Senator Dickinson has voted for
and the editor of the Albany Argus supports.
e We have word to say in behalf of the
Southern members opposed to Abolition in al
its forms and stages; opposed also to any meas
ures intended to obtain Abolition votes, and
arraign rs "Southern ultras," and to charge as
causing the delay in Congressional action upor
the great questions now pending before tha
body.
We shall answer this charge, and at once -
They are in a minority here-a hopeless mi
nority-and therefore have no control whateve
us to what measures the majority may bring be
fore Congress, or when.
If that maj ajority were to bring forward pro
iect for immediate Abolition, these could onl,
vote "no"-if for emancipation in the future
still they could but vote "no." On the first o
these questions, the immediate Abolitonist
would vote by themselves, and would be in th'
minority. On the second question, they woul,
have large additional vote North, and nom
South, unless the proposition were disguised
If it were so disguised, however, as to admit o
different interpretations, and would be likely t,
secure Presidential election, and distribute of
fees, and effect Abolition purposes not sufi
ciently plain, then immediate Abolitionists NIGH
vote "no :" and so would this minority.
The avowed Aboltionist would vote "no," be
cause his desires would be too long delayed: ant
they would vote "no," because the minority Sout
were unwilling to put themselves in a position
which admits that Congress has the right eve
to abolish slavery. In such a case as this, tn
Southern Compromisers would cry out, "behol
the ultras North and South, how they vote to
gether and hinder settlement Of the question
before Congress ?"
There are however a few manouverers, amon
Southerners, respecting the Territorial Bill, VIII
appear to fancy that they can smuggle som
policy into the Bill, whereby negroes can
carried into the newly acquired Territories. with
out the Northern people ever being able to ..fn
IL out" This does not answer Southern con
stituents for they want their rights acknowedg
ed openly, and fully admitted; but if our lif
depended upon the issue, we would prefer t.
risk it upon the the opinion that the North vii
beat these Southerners at that game also, an
instead of the South getting some advantage
unseen by them, whereby to get the negro slave
int, thn now Trrritorips that the North wil