The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-20

presented extracts from II 10 our readers, but
were prevented from so doing by the pressure
ofother matters upon our attention. His views.
however. having lost none of their vigor OF APP
plicabiIty by the delay, we now in part fulfil
our original intention by publishing two extracts
containing arguments which to our mind are
unanswerable.
"PRAcTIcABnITY OF A SOUTHERN CoSFEDERAcY.
But il is said We can form "A great Southern Con-
iederacy, and become more than ever before pros
porous and powerful. Who can tell whether, even
If separated from the North, this formation of a
Southern Confedcracy would be practicable! Where
would il Begin What States would il include
Certainly not Virginia, or Kentucky, or North Car
DINA, or Tennessee, or Louisiana. But suppose
them all willing 10 take counsel for the purpose,
can any be assured that they would unite in
general Southern Governments Will there be no
differences of opinion, no antagonist interests? We
all know the difficulty with which the present Con
federacy formed, the obstacles that delayed
and almost defeated its adoption by the States after
it had been laboriously shaped and settled by the
convention OF States. Will not the came Difficult.
ties beset the union proposed? Why, there is hard
ly State in which there are no opposing interests
within its own limits. Up-country and low coun
try, property and population, have each their
staunch and sometimes bitter advocates. We all
remember the hot and incorporating disputes
between west and east IN the last Virginia conven
ton; and do we believe that IN convention Of the
Southern States, sppposing such an one TO exist,
there will be nothing but the milk and honey
of mutual concession and forbearanco, no hos
tile feelings, no conflicting interests, imprac
ticable, obstinate, unyieGing minds, He that
believes this knows nothing of men public
bodies. For my part, firmly believe that the
present Confedcracy is the first and last which
the country will ever see If that be DESTROYED
there is forthwith forever end 10 confederacy in
North America Tins Ia my solemn conviction,
and forewarn our citizens Of this truth No fu-
ture confedcracy can be sanctfed like the present
by the memories OF the past; by associations with
the great men and great events Of the grand epoch
of American history; by the wisdom and VIRTUES OF
the Father Of his Country. If this Union cannot
stand, there is hope for the continuance Of any
other. The spirit of Impotence confederate
rule, which our example will sanction and estab-
lish, will prevail forever. The smallest real or
supposed injury or inconvenience inflicted any
one member OF any future supposed union oil
States, VIII be enough 10 induce that member to
abandon ito secede, to break up without scruple
or remorse. They would become mere temporary
partnerships as the English statesman describes it,
like partnerships for the sale of dry goods or gro.
ceries, to be dissolved with little reflection or
difficulty. We see this plainly enough, as far as
the North Is concerned No one believes that New
England and Pennsylvania could permanently
unite, or that any State would long endure the ar
rogent and intriguing spirit OF New York.
' But VIC fatter ourselves that in the South il is
different, that we have bond of union in the nsti-
tuition OF slavery which alone will insure our CO.
heson, that ice would stand united if all the world
were at variance. Is the necessity OF union among
the southern States any more apparent than was
tic necessity of union among all the States at the
end Of the Revolutionary war? They were then
feeble communities, exhausted by long war, with
out money OF credit, in debt at the mercy of Eng
land, unless they adhered to each other and yet it
required the almost superhuman exerions Of the
abest and best men Of the country to persuade the
States toaccept the present form of government.
Men are not swayed by reason, but by passion, by
prejudice, by interest real or posed by the per-
O " ne art Of dente
by notions and iancies, powerful while they last,
however short In duration Will the South be ex-
empt from these disturbing influences? Most
suredy not. Besides Is II certain that there will
be no difference opinion the subject of slavery
even in the South itself. Was there no difference
In the Virginia convention? So long the question
concerning slavery is between the North and South
we may count on unanimity of opinion and feeling
IN the southern States, however much they may
differ as 10 the mode Of proceeding in vndcatin 2
their rights, or redressing their wrongs. But when
the question Is purely southern are sure that
we shall find the like unanimity? Will the noun
tain region agree with the coast, Will the men OF
Buncombe, or spartanburg. or of East Tennessee,
or West Virginia, consent to enjoy greater po-
ltca weight than the slaves of rice and cotton
fields: Most surely they will not They would
demand the white basis as the basis of representa-
ton. The slavcholding population would be gov
erncd by those who hold no slavcs and the line Of
division between shareholders and non. shareholders
in the South would be drawn clear, strong, and
indeiaceabe, with fixed majority in the hands Of
abundant causes for difference and disagreement
and that the hope that all will be easy aud smooth
IN the formation of Southern Coniederacy ia a de
fusion and snare! Ii will not be easy. Once
break up the present Confectionery, and the princi-
pie OF voluntary cohesion is gone forever In this
as IN every other movement of change or revou
uon' men never 60 back The principle of voIun-
tary association among the States will cease to er
let. IL will be followed by confusion and disorder
fret, and last by the forced combinations brought
about by temporary interests military power
In NHa ralst tanr a
suits oi peace, civilization, and refinement viii be
rodden under foot by the rapacious and ambitious
dcmagogues, who begin with beng courtiers to
the people, and end with being their tyrants To
all this what answer can possibly be made, but
that we are peculiar people; among us there can
be no dissension; shall enjoy perpetual bar
mony from Mason and Di1ons line TO the gulf no
dispute or discord can ever disturb the fraternity
OF our people; a new series Of ages will descend
from Heaven; the lion will lie down with the lamb,
the turbulent passions OF men, and the crimes they
lead 20, will no longer dciorm the face Of society
and justice and the golden age which have left ali
other regions of the earth, will nevertheless revisit
our own. II for this shadow and delusion The
mere dream OF distempered ina ginstions, we let
60 the substantial blessings Of law and order, and
peace at home, and security from abroad we shall
most justly become a byword among all nations
This Is no occasion for listening 20 the voice Of pas
sion, or petuance or indignation, how ever Justly
excited. II y one too grave too solemn. No mat
ter how much we may detest the vile factions that
disgrace the nation, let not permit proper
hitioIttutt OF lnem 70 hurry u into acts, the
suite OF which no human sagacity can pretend to
ioresee Let Us not permit minds 10 dwell
lightly on the terrors unspeakable Of civil war and
become INSTRUMENTS 10 accomplish what the worst
men Of the North are seeking and striving 10 bring
about"
"THE ADMISSION Or CALWoREfA.-Is the admis.
sion Of California into the Union the measure that
will Justify the destruction of the admirable crea
ton produced by the convention Of l7s7 and the
restornton Of the political chaos which the great
men oil that day 20 narrowly and hs ppiy escaped
II II is said that there much Of irrceuarty Of
want Of conformity 20 precedent, Of haste Of disor
der, In making California a State, we may fairly
admit II. The advocates Of order know the ad
vantage Of iorms and wish 10 see them strictly OBJ
served They would have been better pleased IT,
IN The formation Of government for California
there had been no departure from the regular ave
tematic mode Of proceeding in similar cases But
the whole case OF California IL anomalous There
has been nothing like Il in the history Of the world
The rush Of multitudes into the country-the char
nctcr of great part Of these advonturcrs- nc.
cessity for vigorous government without delay to
prevent absolute anarchy all these things con.
sutute an exceptional case quite ne much that
of Texas. cuJallv lac al