The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-19

sign ana authorship OF the lnterrogative epistle
most richly deserved.
Mr. SoULE in his reply to Mr. STANTON, cited
him to joint letter of the Louisiana delegation
to the Governor Of the State, as an expression
of the views entertained by Mr.. SoULE on the
questions propounded him and promised to
send copy fthe letter to Mr.. STANTON as soon
as it could be procured from Gov. WALKER, who
had promised TO furnish it with the shortest
possible delay" But, Mr.. STANTON, the anxious
friend, could not wait moment for it, and be-
fore that copy was in fact procured, the letter
from the seventy-eight appeared, propounding
the same questions put by Mr.. STANTON
Here is the letter to the Governor:
WASHINGTON, d. c., January 7, 1850.
S1R The importance Of the subject to which
1t relates, the action Of other States on it, our de-
sire to know the views of the State authorities and
to be sustained by them in the approaching crisis
in the affairs ofthe Union, are the motives which
induce US to address you, and through you the
Legislature, this letter.
The agitaling question of slavery, SO far as the
action of Congress is concerned, will probably be
decided during It's present session. Much depends
on this decision The peace and safety Of the
South, and perhaps the duration Of the Union.--
We do not now propose to argue it, The people
OF the South do not require argument, and the
North have refused to listen to it. The Legisa-
ture of every Northern State except one has acted
on il, and have expressed the opinion that slavery
ought to be prohibited by Congress in all the new
territory acquired from Mexico ; that it ought to
be abolished in the District Of Columbia and that
the sale of slaves from one State to another ought
to be prohibited, and have instructed their sena-
tors and requested their representatives TO act in
q, r -.
Northern States have not only refused and ne
elected to comply in good faith and as they did in
the early days OF union, with the Injunction Of the
Constitution for the delivery up of fugitive slaves {;
but have in utter contempt of 1t passed laws en-
forced by penal sanctions, prohibiting their citi
zens and officers from acting in compliance with
it, and the laws passed by Congress under it.
This is practical, admitted, successful aggression
and not defensive notification.
The Southern States have long and patiently en-
dured such aggressions and menaces, soothed by
the suggestions that they were only the work Of
fanatics and factionists, and confined to a small
portion of the population. They now find almost
the whole of the North arrayed against them.
Not only Abolltionists, properly so called, but
governors, legislatures, judicial tribunals, and del
egations in Congress, and all other public func-
tonaries and leaders of political opinion.
But not satisfied with these Entertainments and
menaces we are reproached for our institutions as
association and countenance of mankind. 1t was
not under such feelings that the Union formed
and 1T CANNOT BE PRESERVED If THESE MUCH
LONGER CONTINUE. This is not the entertainment
our fathers were invited to, when the federal
pact was formed. Impressed with these consid-
erations the legislature, we believe, of every
Southern State that has assembled during the last
twelve months, have solemnly protested against
this aggressive course on the part Of the North,
1t is now believed that in every case where such
States have not acted, they will do so, in the
course of the next few months. VIII not Louisi-
ana Jooio the example Of all her other sisters Of the
South? VIII she alone remain silent under aggres
sion We hope not. Silence under such circun-
stances wotd imply acQuiescence IN prong and in
justice.
We are proud of the high opinion entertained of
her, for devotion to the UEion. We lore her the
better for IL, and ,coud not do ourselves, on advise
her to do any thing to change that opinion. But the
impression we have formed here, at the centre of
the republic, and after most mature reflection is,
that decisive action the part the Southern States
at the present crisis, IS not only not dangerous to the
Union, b, that is the best, many think, the only
ray Of saping II.
IF every Southern State unite in a solemn pro-
test, the aggression will cease, and the Union is
safe. But if we are divided-if Louisiana and one
or two others remain silent or dissent the aggres-
sions will continue, This would not, however,
prevent action by others.
1t does not require our unanimous vote of the
South to destroy the Union. Let three or four, or
even fewer of the States fall from the Union, and
it is gone! Louisiana, in such an unhappy event,
which we devoutly hope may never happen,
would find herself, whether consider her as u
part of the South, or part Of the valley of the
Mississippi, in the midst of population where
the adhesion of slavery would be sustained by
overwhelming a majority, that her destiny
necessarily and in spite of her volition, would be
indissolubly connected with them. This great
valley united by the hand Of Providence and
never be disunted. An overwhelming ma
jority Of its people is, and long must remain,
slaveho!ding people, and Louisiana must and will
remain, the great outlet and emporium of its
merce
We suggest no rash or violent action on the part
of the Legislature. All we desire is, that the sub
ject may be taken up and acted upon by the i'm
camness, reflection, and knowledge of facts,
which the important and no longer to be delayed
crisis, respect for our own rights and honor, and
for our sister States of the South, and Just re-
gard for the welfare and safety Of our posterity
quire.
Will you therefore do US the favor to submit
copy Of this letter to the Legislature, with such
suggestions and remarks you may think the
occasion demands.
Respectfully your obedient servants,
S. w. DOWNS,
PIERRE SOULE,
ISAAC E. MORSE,
EMILE LASERE,
J, II. HARMANSON.
His Excellency |. Johnson,
Governor of Louisiana.
1t will thus be seen that Mr.. SoULE, besides
taking a decided part in the debates of the
Senate, where he had spoken with the utmost
frankness and precision had in the strict line of
his duty with his colleagues expressed himself
plainly to the Governor, and asked through him
the advice or instruction of the Legislature. No
man had done more to make known his senti-
meuts in the legitimate and customary modes
But his course had dispeased these iuquiring
Several of them had denounced it,
and had attempted to show that it was factious
and reasonable. They had not succeeded, how,
ever, in making out their charges, and very
coolly proposed to call him to the stand to un-
dergo cross-examnation to help them out III
his answer had not been such as they wanted
they could have amended and increased their in