The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-02
ADDR E s s
southern Rights Association OF Aiabam

70 - by b. Boykin. s.. ag
Tho tonic presented to the Southern people
.t th;s iuncture is of such momentous charac-
Tor mo- 10 swallow up all minor difference Of po-
I;t.aI oponion, and resolve itself into question
of self preservation. National Wing platforms
or Democratic platforms cannot be constructed
of such capacious dimensions as to enable the
respective parties to stand tremendously to-
gether. Vital questions going to the safety of
property and to the security of homes erect bar
riers against such partisan cohesion. South
ern Wings and Southern Democrats must first
waive the instincts peculiar to man, and ac-
knowledge the supremacy of party rule over the
laws OF justice and honor before they can coal
csc with materials 80 discordant and hostile
The DEGREES ofihuman nature forbid the congo
NAL union Of parties, where the one is seeking
the subugation of the other. The structure Of
political compacts presupposes equality among
the parties contracting, and any disturbance of
this equality interrupts the relations established
by the compact, and throws upon its members
the responsibility of violating its terms On this
fundamental question, the South is ready to
place the issue, and to abide the award
From the commencement of this confederacy
of equal soveregnties, the Southern States have
been true to the constitutional bond of its union
No charge to the, contrary has been brought
against them. But how has it been with the
Northern States The barrenness of its soil
and the inhospitality of its climate have sought
relief and support in those superior natural add
vantages which God has vouchsafed to the
Southern section. Governmental aid and protec
ton have been successfully invoked to equal
ize physical distinctions. But did it stop here
So far from this being the case, the power of the
Federal Government has been employed and d.
rected to make the one portion of the confed-
eracy support and enrich the other In spite,
however, of unequal and unjust legislation, the
South has prospered. Contributions, to be sure,
have diminished her wealth, but still she has
managed to stand the levy and thrive @" -
The North, prcsurning upon our further ca
pacity to pay tribute and to live, and upon our
willingness to yield obedience to her exactons,
has pushed her demands to point which in
wolves our very destiny. 1%
These demands bring US soberly to ask the
question, has the South cause for alarm ure
her institutions in danger? A few facts will
serve to answer these questions. Within the
short period of sixteen years the spirit Of aboi-
ton has grown from handful of fanatics to an
organized army composed of men of power and
influence. So rapid have been its rise and pro-
gress that it now controls the policy of our gov
ernment and threatens an entire revolution in
its political, religious and social organization
Striking at the basis of the constitutional COM
pact, it carries in its principles the elements OF
destruction. Religious bigotry and political
fanaticism have united to prosecute an exter-
minating war against slavery in the Southern
States; the battle cry is that slavery is sin on
earth, and q, crime against God, and that the
work of reform must 90 steadily forward until
the earth shall -have Eeen purged of this pollu-
ton, and Diety appeased. Processing to be
bound by obligations higher than the Constitu-
ton ITSELF their standard of action is above le-
gislative restraints Ia In vain are constitutional
barriers set up against their progress. In vain
are solemn compacts appealed to as binding.
In VAIN are the dire consequences to which their
acts tend, pointed out and made manifest. So
great has been the impulse which the progress
of abolition has received, and so expensive and
powerful has it grown, that its proportions are
now so vast as to overshatow all other ques-
tons. At the North all ages, sexes and condi-
tions-all creeds and denominations are deeply
imbued with its spirit. 1t il the rubric of their
religion, their politics and literature, and by
these influences it threatens to bring the South
ern States under its sway, regardless of conse-
quences. To these facts, and to the dangers
which they portend, we ought not to be insen
Ssible Lamentable, however, Is the admission
that many are disposed to 60 on their way4re.
joicing, imagining that ais aceR,-all is peace
and safety. This delusion admirably serves our
enemies. 1t enables them the more successfully
to accomplish their purposes, by quietly draw.
ing the web of their policy around u.s.
Unfortunately for the South the character and
influence Of these Abolitionists have not been
properly estimated. Few men ever supposed
that they would have accomplished so much ir
so short time At first their work was done
under mask. Now all DISCUSSES are thrown
off and their plans are prosecuted with bold.
ness, despatch and an efficiency which show
that they feel their strength and are determined
to make us feel it too. The trumphs of the
past are their heralds of the future. They have
succeeded in excluding slavery from all the
Mexican acquisitions; and surrounding the slave
States with Gordon of free States they have
succeeded in destroying the political equality of
the Southern States, and weakening the securi-
ties of our institutions; they have practically
engratted the principles of their odous Wilmot
upon the legislation of the country. Forms
with them are of little consequence when the
end can be as readily obtained in one shape as
another. The slave trade has been abolished in
the District of Columbia This sets up another
landmark directing the way to n kindred mea-
sure-the abolition Of slavery, itself within the
District. Abolished there and excluded from
all the territories, will the Abotionists stop half
way in their work! Is there anything in their
history to induce US to believe they wi
Strengthened in their position and eager to see
their honest purposes" consummated in glo-
nous victory, the next blow will be struck at
the abolition Of slavery in the States themselves
Meantime the South is advised to be passive and
indifferent to what is occurring. If she contin-
ues to slumber, her doom is already recorded.
1t would be well for Southern men to contem.
plate the consequences which will Cow from the
movements of the Abolitonsts and Free-soers,
unless checked in some way or other. Nothing
short Of the entire abolition of slavery in the
South, it may be fairly assumed, will satisfy them
Indeed for this we have their often repeated
declarations; and conclusive evidence of their
sincerity Of purpose is not wanting! In such
an event, what would be the condition of fittings
in the slave-holding States The picture even
in water colors, is frightful to look upon. In
these States, there are now at least three mil
hons OF slaves Their value at this time may
be computed at sixteen hundred millions of dol
lars. The lands which they cultivate (of dimin
ished value without this species of labor with