Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-06-06
A Dangerous Scheme.

A Dangerous Scheme.
we view with regret any indications Of a
movement such as is contemplated in the cir
cular which follows. We regard it as one of
the startling evidences of the evil results of
harboring sectional feelings.
With all seriousness we would ask what is
to be gained by such movement deprecating,
as we have always done, all movements in the
north, of sectional character, we must enter
our protest against similar movements, from
whatever quarters they may emanate.
DisclaiminS all attempts to excite alarm,
we ask the candid, deliberate class of our read
ers to pause and consider. Our national and
our state councils are distracted by the dissen-
sions which have grown out of an undue ex-
element upon the slavery question. What
was first considered to be perfectly harmless
movement, because unfavorably received by
the public, has been gradually insinuating it
self into public favor, until power is obtained
which it is not only impolitic but dangerous to
WELD.
We trust that the movement Swallowed forth
by the following extracts will not be carried
into effect.
As yet the south has taken no steps to APP
pear and plead at the bar of the world, before
which she has been summoned, and by which
she has been tried already without hearing
Secured by no constitutional guarantees, and
independent of all the world, so far as its do
nestle institutions were concerned, the south
has reposed under the consciousness of right
and independence, and forborne to plead at
bar which she knew had no jurisdiction over
this particular subject. In this we have been
theoretically right, but practically have
made great mistake. All means, political, di-
plomatic and literary, have been used to
centrate the public opinion, not only of the
world at large, but of our own country, against
us {; and resting upon the undoubted truth that
our domestic institutions were the subjects of
no government but our own local governments
and concerned no one but ourselves, have
been passive under these assaults, until danger
menaces us from every quarter. A great party
has grown up and is increasing in the United
States, which seems to think it duty they
owe to earth and heaven, to make war on a
domestic institution, upon which are staked
our property, our social organization, and our
peace and safety. Sectionalsfeelings have been
invoked, and those who WELD the power of this
government have been tempted almost, if not
QuitC oS sOIu tHCii IoNei VI IeSiSldHCe, W wage
war against our property, our rights, and our
social system, which if successfully prosecuted,
must end in our destruction"
There is no paper at the seat of government
through which we can hear or be heard fairly
and truly by the country. There is paper
here which makes the abolition of slavery its
main and paramount end. There are other pa
pers here which make the maintenance of po-
Htioal parties their supreme and controlling OBJ
ject /; but none which consider 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 over, even equal to,
the maintenance of some political organization,
which is TO secure a 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 spolls. The south has peculiar position,
and her important rights and interests are OBJ
jects of continual assault from the majority !;
and the party press, dependent as it is upon
that majority for its means of living, will always
be found laboring to excuse the assailants and
to paralyze all efforts at resistance. How is it
now This abolition party can always be
heard through its press at the seat of govern
ment; but through what organ or press, at
Washington, can southern men communicate
with the world, or with cash other, upon their
own peculiar interests: So far from writing
or permitting 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 lulling the south into false security, and in
manufacturing there an artificial public sent-
ment, suitable for some Presidential Platform,
though at the expense of any and every inter-
est you may possess, no matter how dear, or
how vital and momentous."