The North-Carolina standard., 1850-03-20
TIE scHAREEsToN. MERcuRY

THE CHARLESTON MERCURY. :
Certain politicians and papers IN this S,ate hav,
uniformly been in the habit. when they wished 10
cite pnejndice against the Nashville Convention,
charging tha: it was gotten up BY South Carolina
and that the Charleston Mercury, a Disunion pape
they pleased to term it, has been the prime ad
wiser and instigator in the matter. They have char
ged that paper with wish and with designs against
the Union, and have asserted, and over again
that there nothing that the North could do thai
would satisfy its expectations the Slavery ques-
on. Let these shameless demagogues blush, if blush
they can, when they read the following noble tribute Of
that paper TO the recent Speech of Mr.. Webster The
truth is, the Mercury is sounder than they in its
attachments to the Union, and is taking the only
steps in common with the Southern people generally
which are calculated to preserve the Union.
Speaking of MIR. Webster's late great effort on the
Slavery question, the Mercury says:
"Mr. Webster's speech on Thursday on the Com
promise resolutions of MIR. Clay, emphaticaily a
great speech noble in language, generous and
cilia,ng in tone, and in the matter having gene
ra broad, powerful tendency towards the peaceable
and honorable adjustment of the existing controversy.
Nothing has occurred during this session to give us
so lively regret as our inability to publish the ample
and admirable report Of this speech which appears
in the 1nte1ligencer and Union of Friday The latter
paper has paid well deserved tribute this great
effort of the Massachusetts Senator, in language
equally truthful and felictous. We cordially respond
to that testimony of approval, and take the occasion
to say, that whether not merit the character Of
ultraism, literally allowed to us, we have never
had any of that ultraism which could prompt US to
view such discussion of great public question
Mr.. Webster has here presented to the country, with
any other feelings than admiration and delight.
Not that we wholly agree with hm-not that there
are not many points of disagreement, but now here
has he urged his opinions Extensively; and when he
reaches the true grounds of the present controversy,
he marks his way clearly, and reads SO Loyalty
the plain track Of the Constitution and pledge of the
Government, that the difficulty is not to agree but to
disagree with him. With such spirit as Mr.. W eb-
ster has shown, it no longer seems impossible to
bring this sectional contest to close, and We feel
now, for the first time since Congress met, a hope
that it may be adjusted.
Not till the question of the continuance Of this
Union was boldly raised and forced upon the consid
Grafton of public men as a practical study, could
such speech as this of Mr.. Webstcr's be made. So
long as it was only Slavery and Anti-Slavery-the
triumph of the North the South in matter of
tional dispute, he could only have spoken with
halter round his neck, and the warrant for his
ton waiting the close Of his remarks. The North
would have listened to him only with amazement
deepening into rage, and he would have gone forth
q
home. But the question of the dissolution of the
Union, he may speak and hope to be heard and
heeded-even hope to be borne forward on the great
tide of public approval. For to no other State is the
Union certainly the foundation of all power and
growth as Massachusetts, and whoever saves this,
the fountain head of her prosperity, the very life
blood of her and varied industry, may look to be
forgiven, though he contradict multitude of avote
and cherished prejudces. They will not be blind to
the excellence of the thing, however sentmentally
they may grieve at the manner of doing it.
MIR. Webster will certainly not escape denunciaton
altogether. That whole brood of factionsts who live
the bitter fruits Of Abolitionsm, and whom he
condescends to give look or two of broad scorn,
will come out of their holes and dens and hiss around
him with vcnomous malignity. He seems, however,
clearer precisely at those places where the contest
most certainly involves great practical results. He
would not take such pains to find solid ground for his
POSITIONS if he had not determined to defend them to
the last
These last speeches of Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Web
s;er, destined to great fame, and to produce
lasting effects. Perhaps they either of them, the
greatest effort Of its author and If they to be the
last, they would each form fitting keystone to the
arch of fame won by forty years Of distinguished
public service 1t is noble to think that such minds
should 80 preserve their powers that at time when
they have almost reached the term of human life. they
meet exigency moro trying than they have ever
yet encountered, and make it the of their most
triumphant intellectual display. The occasion is not
greater than the who have coped with it, If evil
spirits do not mar their work, may yet look to
them as having given new vitality to the Union."
The friends of Mrs. Miller, says the Baltimore
Correspondent of the Union, have published card
in the Patriot appealing to the public throughout the
country to assist them in arresting Henry c. Baker,
of Winchester, Virginia, whom they dehounce in no
measured terms as the cause of her disappearancc,
and all the subsequent misery inflicted her friends,
by the uncertainty and painful apprehension as to her
real fate. They assert that he left Baltimore Mon
day last for Winchester, in Virginia, and on Wed
nesday reached Harper's Ferry, on his way back to
Baltimore, when he received telegraphc despatch,
which induced him TO return to Winchester, where
he still remained at the latest advces. 1t is also in
timated that, if alive, Mrs. Nj. may possibly be
creted in Baltimore. The statement concludes by
stating that the father and husband of the lady in
Washington city, and that information to the father.
which will aid him in the and rcpossession of
his daughter will be gratefully received, and lay them
under lasting obligations to their informant.
The Odd Fellows and Masons arc said to be active
in the work of benevocnce and charity in California.
They have purchased in conjunction part of Suffers
Fort, for seven thousand dollars, in which to estab
lish Hospital for the sick and disabled. Col.
Winn rho ia a member of both Orders nresides over