The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-01

zation the equality the liberty nay the existence
of fourteen fifteen States of the confederacy-al
rest upon the result of the struggle In which
engaged. We must maintain the equality of our
political position in the Union we must maintain
the dignity and responsibility Of our social position
before the world; and we must maintain and Sc
cure our liberty and rights, so far our united
efforts protect them; and, II possible, must
effect all this within the pale of the Union, and by
means known to the Constitution. The union Of
the South upon these vital interests is necessary
not only for the sake of the South, but perhaps for
the sake the Union. We have great interests ex
posed to the assaults, not only of the world at large,
but OF those who, constituting the majority, WELD
| the power of our confederated States. We
must defend those interests by all Legitimate means
or else perish either in without the effort. To
makea successful defence, we must unite with each
| other upon the one vital question, and make the
most OF our political strength We must do more
we must go beyond intrenchments, and meet
even the more distant and indirect, but by means
harmless, assaults which are directed against US
| we, too, can appeal to public opinion Our
sailants act upon theory-to their theory op-
pose experience. They reason upon an imaginary
state of things-to this may oppose truth and
| actual knowledge. To do this, however, we too
must open up avenues to the public mind we, too
must have an organ through which can appeal
to the world, and commune with each other. The
want OF such an organ heretofore has been perhaps
one OF the leading causes OF our present condition.
There 10 no paper at the seat of government
through which we can hear be heard fairly and
truly by the country. There is paper here which
mount end. There other papers here which
make the maintenance of political parties their su-
preme and controlling object. but none which con-
slider the preservation OF sixteen hundred millions
OF property, the equality and liberty of fourteen or
fifteen States, the protection of the white man
against African equality, as paramount or even
equal to the maintenance of some political organi-
cation which is to secure President, and who is
an object OF interest," not because he will certainly
rule or perhaps ruin the South, but chiefly for
the reason that he will possess and bestow office
and spoils The South has peculiar position, and
her important rights and interests are objects of
continual assault from the majority; and the party
press, dependent it is upon that majority for its
means OF living, will always be found laboring to
excuse the assaans, and TO paralyze all efforts at
resistance. How is it now The abolition party
can always be heard through its press at the seat
OF government, but through what organ press at
Washington can southern men communicate with
the world, or with each other, upon their own pc
culiar interests? So far from writing or permit
ting any thing to be written which is calculated TO
defend the rights of the South or state truly its
case, the papers here are engaged In luling the
South into a false security. and in manufacturing
there artificial public sentiment, suitable for
some Presidential platform, though at the expense
of any and every interest you may possess, no mat
ter how dear or how vital and momentous
This state of things results from party oblga
tons and regard to party success And they but
subserve the ends Of their establishment in consult
ing their own interests and the advancement of the
party to which they are pledged. You cannot look
TO them sentinels over interests that are repug
nant to the feelings of the majority of sefsustain
ing party.
In the federal legislature the South has some
voice and votes; but in the public press it
now stands at the seat of government, the North
has controlling influence. The press OF this city
takes its tone from that of the North. Even
southern press is subjected more less to the same
influence. Our public men, yes, our southern men,
owe their public standing and reputation too often
to the commentator and praise of the northern
press. Southern newspapers republish from their
respective party organs in this city, and in do
ing OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, doubtless, in most in
stances, of the wrong they dothe northern opinion
In relation to public men and measures. How dan
gerous such state of things must be to the fidelity
of your representatives it is needless to say They
are but men, and it would be unwise to suppose
that they beyond the reach of temptations which
influence the rest of mankind.
Feow-citizens, it rests with ourselves to alter
this state OF things far the South is concerned.
We have vast interests which we bound by
many considerations to defend with all the moral
and political means in power. One of the first
steps to this great end is to establish southern
gan here paper through which we may commune
with one another and the world at large We do
not propose NEEDLE with political parties they
now exist; wish to enlist every southern man in
a southern and in defence of southern rights,
be he Wing or be he Democrat. We do not pro-
pose to disturb Thorn, to shake him in his party
relations. All that ask is that he shall consider
the constitutional rights of the South, which in
volved in the great Abolition movement, as para
mount to all party and all other political consider
atoms And surely the time has come when all
southern men should unite for purposes of self-de-
fence. Our relative power in the Legislature of
the Union is diminishing with every census, the
dangers which menace daily becoming
greater, and the chief instrument in the
saults upon US is the public press, over which, ow
ing TO our supineness, the North exercises con-
trolling influence So far the South is concerned,
can change and reverse this state of things. II
is not to be borne that public sentiment at the South
should be stihed or controlled by the party press.
Let us have a press Of our own, as the North has,
both here and at home-a press which shall be de-
voted TO southern rights, and animated by south
ern feeling; which shall look not to the North but
the South for the tone which is TO pervade it. Claim
ing our share of power in federal legislation let us
also claim share of influence in the press OF the
country. Let US organize in every southern town
and county, 30 as to send this paper into every
house in the land. Let take, too, all the means
necessary TO maintain the paper by subscription,
increase its circulation and promote the spread
of knowledge and truth. Let every portion Of the
South furnish its full quota of talent and money TO
sustain paper which ought to be supported by all,
because il will be devoted TO the interests Of every
southern man. IL will be the earnest effort of the
committee who charged with these arrange
ments to procure editors of high talent and stand
ing; and they will also that the paper is con-
Quoted without opposition and without reference TO
the political parties Of the day. With these
ances, feel justified in calling upon you, the peo
pie of the southern States. to make the necessary
efforts 10 establish and maintain the proposed pa
per. A. p. BUTLER
JACKSON MORTON,
II. TOOMBS,
J. THOMPSON.
May 6, 1850.