The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-28
ScEKE CoseREss Hall.



a.a Time Of fiction, Nine Months.
Mr.. North, seated in easy chair--Enter Mr..
South. 81. s.'.'
Mr.. South.--Well, my good friend, it is along
time since we have settled accounts, and as we
have been very successful in business lately, |
should like very much to pocket my share, es-
pecially of the land we have acquired by our skill
and capital.
Mr.. North, rubbing his hands eagerlg-O, by
all means, my good friend at moments
warning. ! have brought the plats of all the
lands in Texas, New Mexico and California.
Here they are. See what lot. There is
enough for both of us-and therefore mean to
take all. (Asidc.) " s-s. T.
Mr.. South.--Well, presume all that is neces-
sary, is an equal division How shall we manage
that s. ..s..'..,... t.... NV. W. ,s @...,.s
Mr.. North.-O, as easy MS kiss your hands.
Here now is the land in California. You can't
go there, because, you see Providence has de-
creed otherwise. The land is not fitted to your
system of agriculture; the climate don't suit
your slaves; and therefore, you may as well
turn il all over to me. ....."
Mr.. South.-That would be an equal division
with vengeance. ,s a .., .... 49,.
Mr.. North-But my dear friend, don't be i'm.
patient. ! shall make you amends in Texas,
New Mexico and Utah.
Mr.. Somh-O, we'll if that is the case, shall
be satisfied. presume you mean to resign all
your claims in that quarter, and leave me in full
possession?
Mr.. North.-Why-no-h em-not exactly.
will be candid with you. You know, you are
called man-stealer, dealer in human flesh, and
all that sort of thing, and the tenants of New
Mexico AMI Utah, have perfect horror of negro
slavery, though they don't mind that of Indians.
If were to allow you the whole, you could not
60 there, without hurting the feelings of those
honest people, especially if you carried your pro-
perty with you. But however, like to be rea-
sonable, and will consent to divide with you,
provided you will agree to little arrangement
to prevent your going there and taking posses
sion.'
Mr.. South-And so am to be altogether ex-
cluded from the benefits of the partnership, first,
by decree of Providence, and next, by con-
scientious scruple.
Mr.. Nrh.-By no means, by no means, my
dear friend. You take wrong view Of the sub
ject. You are quite welcome to 60 there, pro-
vided, the tenants will let you. But they have
declared they will not And therefore, | think
may as well keep possession, as you are ex-
cluded.
Mr.. South.-Excluded By what right do
those vagabonds, who have taken possession of
the land, without any authority whatever, and
without the consent of either of us, pretend to
exclude me from moiety of that which is the
common property of us both, as equal partners
in the same firm!
Mr.. North-My dear friend, keep cool. Don't
you know that by the fundamental law of Mexico,
slavery cannot exist there, except among the
white people and Indians? And that Mr.. CLAY
says, the laws of Mexico are paramount in all
our new acquisitions of land and cannot be
changed by any future legislation? Mr.. CLAY
say so Mr.. CAss says so and General FooTE
swears to it. Besides, Colonel BENTON assures
me it is in perfect accordance with the marriage
contracts of Risauoff and Chickakoff, as well as
the Log Book of the Russian Vice Admiral
Krusanitem.
Mr.. Somh-So then perceive, instead of
our conquering Mexico, Mexico has conquered
us, and imposed on US her laws, religion and
institutions, from this time henceforth and for
ever. This is certainly great conquest, glo-
rious extension of Free-soil principles. l now
begin to comprehend what is meant by Free
soilism. 1t is making free with soil belonging
to other people, and cheating me Of my share of
the gains of the partnership.
Mr.. North-Mr. CLAY says so-Mr. CAss
says so-and General FooTE--
Mr.. South.-D-n Mr.. CLAY, and Mr.. CAss,
and most especially General FoorE.
If that from CAss, you take the letter c,
Then CAss is Ass, and Ass so let him be.
Mr.. .North.-My inestimable friend, am prin-
cipled against poetry and swearing. have con-
scentous scruples on the subject, and conscience
with me is above both law and gospel.
Mr.. Souh.-I wish your scruples would ex-
tend to doing me justice, and complying with the
articles of our partnership.
Mr.. Norlh.--My dear, my inestimable friend
keep cool. You arc too apt to get into a
fume about nothing. Listen to Inc now coolly,
and don't swear, for it hurts my feelings. You
talk about our partnership which is all obsolete !;
the conditions were modified, if not entirely can
celled by the march Of mind and the progress of
the age. l tell you frankly, my conscience will
not permit me to fulfil the conditions of our
partnership. I am governed by higher laws
than those of equity and justice, and in
stead of doing as l would be done by, have
become n convert to the more enlightened
doctrine of doing unto others exactly what
would not that they should do unto me. In
a