The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-26
From The Louisisns Statesmen.


EVENTS, NoRrH AND SouTH.-The Southern
supporters of the compromise bills fattered them
selves that those measures would secure peace to
the country, satisfy Northern consciences, and put
stop to agitation. Now let us look for a mo-
ment at the course Of events since those bills be-
came the laws Of the land. A proposition fort the
immediate and entire abolition Of slavery in the
District OF Columbia received PIFTY-Two VOTES
IN the House OF Representatives. s5s
In Massachusetts,, Mr.. Winthrop, who opposed
those bills as not going far enough to meet the
views OF the North in some respects, and too far
10 others, is considered the proper man to sue
coed Daniel Webster. He holds the Executive
appointment, and will be elected probably without
opposition. This Winthrop recently voted for
the immediate abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict--a propositions which even the legislature Of
Louisiana declared g must be resisted to The last
extremity, but which, we doubt not, there are a
large number in this quarter ready TO submit to-
when the North demands it.
Next came the great Wing State Convention Of
New York. By an overwhelming majority it
passed the Two resolutions that follow:
q Resolved, That the admission Of California
into the Union State, and with free consti-
tuition, meets with our hearty appreciation; and as
a territorial government is established for New
Mexico and Utah, without any prohibtory clause,
on the assumption that slavery is excluded by
other causes, il is the solemn duty of Congress to
extend the Jeffersonian ordinance these terri
tOTttS OIL uTbl lHutCHuOu lffdL Slavery or lIl-
voluntary servtude is likely to be introduced into
the territories. - s4f&H .Ea
I" Resolved, That our thanks are especially due
to the Hon. w III. Seward, for the signal ability
and fidelity with which he has sustained in the
United States Senate, those beloved principles Of
public policy so long cherished by the Wings Of
the Empire States, expressed in State and county
conventions, as well as in the votes and instruc-
tons of our State egisature--those principles are
essentially national and republican, because they
are just and equitable" I'M
In these resolutions great and powerful party
in the largest State of this Union, repudiate the
principles of the compromise, demand the exclu-
sion Of slavery from the territories, and endorse
the course of senator of New York, who openly
advocates abolition and the amagamation of races,
and contends that the Constitution itself is not
morally or legally binding in respectto slavery
Why are these facts concealed from the people
OF louisiana Why are perpetual appeals made
in behalf OF the Union, without explaining the
real causes that endanger that Union' Why cry
peace when there is no peacei Why say "al's
WELL" when the incendiary with his torch is
abroad Why soothe and amuse the shepherd,
when the wolf is in the fold !? Why wage a ruth
less and elentless war on those who are striving
to defend themselves and their property, whilethe
agitators at the North are permitted to carry on
their nefarious schemes unmolested? Southern
men who venture to speak in defence Of the Con-
stiutIon, of home, Preside and property, are trail
tors and disunioniss. Northern men are " our
brethren" the " friends Of the Union, 'Sc.
Now, we calmly ask the question of those con-
cerned, If they really desire to carry out the COM
promise policy, why do they not make war on
its Northern friends who are already demanding
new concessions from the South? Why prefer a
war on Southern menu The opponents of the
compromise policy in the South are numerous-if
not III majority, they constitute a powerful mi
norlty-powerful in numbers, influence, talent,
energy, courage. Minorities grow, and even now
this minorty-if it be one-is too strong to be
trampled on. Suppose, for instance, the legislature
of Mississippi should call a convention of the peo-
ple and that convention should determine to with
draw the State from the Union--to dissolve the
partnership-and restore the State to its original
overegnty-what power could prevent iii No
tribunal could take cognizance Of the act She
could not be punished for treason. The President
could attempt no military coercion. If he did, it
would involve the whole country. Here then, is
a case at once. mississippi wants nothing from
the General Government. She is sovereign within
her own jurisdiction. The authority of the
United States would cease with her secession from
the Confederacy. Why then, we ask, will South
ern men aggravate the discomfort that exists, and
force crisis of affairs, by denouncing their own
fellow-cltIzens-certainly as honest and patriotic
as themselves-as "traitors," when they merely
strive to preserve the rights Of the State and the
Constitution, to resist aggression, and thus pre-
serve the Union The self-styled friends of the
Union, by this course, are doing more to shake its
stability than all the utras in the world.