The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-13
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.

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THE SLAVERY QUESTION. ID ianot to be dis.
gused that the subject of slavery has become
more dangerous and exciting, thana any former
period of our national existence We are in the
midst of crisis more threatening TO the unity,
happiness aud prosperity Of the country than
any that has ever occurred before. 1t must be
apparent to every man, and especially TO our
cool, calculating and far-seeing brethren Of the
North, that this exciting and excitable question
Involving the vital interests of the whole South
cannot be longer agitated without weakening
and endangering those ties Of political brother
hood which bind together the two great sections
of the confederacy.
We have been panied to see the many wrongs
and outrages which the Abolitionists of the
nth have time and again committed upon the
rights and property Of the South; and almost
every exchange" brings US an account Of new
outrage or larceny. We have observed too,
with what cold indit'er nee our Southern breth-
rem hive been treated, by those North OF Mason
g. Dixons line, who even protested friendship
towards them and for the domestic institutions
of the South, whenever wrongs were to be re-
dressed and kidnapped property restored to the
rightful owners; and while we are free to admit
tlat the disgracefil exhibitions Of the Abolition.
lists AT their public meetings in the North, are
not directly participated in by the masses there,
yet there seems to be tacit approval of their
infamous proceedings by the presence Of large
audiences on almost every such occasion. But
wheu the South has been assaied and traduced
by these foul-mouthed slanderers, there have
been none in those assemblages to vindicate her;
and when her kidnapped slaves have been ex-
hibited to the admiring gaze Of the depraved
and negro-loving fanatics who compose those
meetings, no man was present to lift up his
voice in condennatory language Of such pro-
ceeding.
These may be deemed trivial incidents in the
eyes of our Northern friends, but we can assure
them that they serve no other purpose than to
widen the breach between them and u.s. and ag-
gravate the already portentous storm Of South
efn Indignation which we honestly fear is des-
tined sooner or later to shiver this Union to it's
very base. In addition to all this, we now wit
ness direct attempt on the part Of the North to
deprive the Southern States of every vestige of
equality in the national Confederacy and to de-
ny to them all participation in the settlement of
the new territories which have been acquired no
IL - by Southern valor than by Northern Prov
css.
She is now compelled therefore to take de-
cided and unequivoca stand in defence of her
ust rights under the Constitution; and nothing,
in our humble opinion, can ~ ard OFT the impcnd-
ing danger of dissolution, save wise and lib
eral legislation on the part of Congress. The
South is entitled to all the rights an privileges
which have been guaranteed by the terms of the
social con pnct alike to every portion of this
great Confederacy. With this she has always
been satistied--but if folly and fal,aticsm shall
prevail over wisdom and patriotism in the halls
of our national Legislature, and she shall be de-
MED an equal participation in the benefits result
ing from the Union of the States, the course of
time alone can unfold the fearful consequences
which must inevitably follow: and for those con.
sequences, lamcntabe as they may be, the North
will be res ponsbe.-Daarille (Va) Register.
!
A QUlD FOR ABoLITIONIsTs.-On the first day
of August term of our county court, Peter Bea-
son. a man Of color, was, at his own instance,
sold into perpetual servitude Peter was eman-
cipated by the will of Mr.. Farrow, who died
some years since, and the laws of the State for
babe his remaining within its limits for more
than twelvemonth This law Peter saw fit to
set at naught, and tho consequence was that he
was indicted for remaining in the State against
| the form Of the statute. On the first day Of
count, however, Peter pres ented himself volun.
tary, and entreated that the penalty of the law
| highest bidder which was accordingly done, and
Peter secured n good home for life.
| This little incident furnishes two lessons. The
first is, that even the intelligent slave at the
South has sense enough to know that his condi-
ton here is far preferable to the degradation and
plupersm to which lie would be subjected in
free State. The second is, that the horror and
cutlery at the North about the evils of slavery,
result either from ignorance of the nature of
the institution, or the more devilish act of i'll
Northumberland Wing.
S,,r or S,,r ,o, Jr~~, ,rr.. E,ann