The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-11
From The Mobile Register.

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COMPROMISE OF SOUTHERN RlGlrs--YlELD-
ING SOUTHERN MISUNDERSTANDING the few
firm and unyiclding papers of the \orlh, who
territories, and are disposed to grant them til,
Pennsylvania probably stands at the head botl
in point Of talent, uniform consistency and com
prchelsive nationality. The leading article OF
that paper of the 10TH concludes with this para.
graph:
ave again appeal, therefore, to our friends
from the Southern States, to aid in removing
from the path Of legislation the threatening
troubles growing out Of the, slave question:
| riley mW be called up0m 10 yield certain pre1u.
dices as others hare dome; bm they mW iose n,
rights which they may assert and enforce unie7
/ The Constitution, and will in the end maintain the
same position they have always occupied, as part
of political family whicI, is only strong becalls,
each member is dependent upon the other, and
all are equals and brethren"
We invite the attention Of our contemporary to
the passage we have italicised. Specify some
prejudice it woull have the South TO Weld, and
then we beg the distinguished editor to scrutin-
ize the specification closely and answer us, upon
the verdict of all uncloudcd mind and an Impair
tnl judgment, if it be not q constitutional right.
he would ask Us to give up. Name any prelu-
WV PEI DC "ii"'i pooCS " pitNCHb SCttic-
ment OF the slavery question, and we pledge
every Southern State, presumptuous as it may
seem, to cast it TO the Winds That we have
prejud!ces, it were useless to deny. They do
exist among us, but they are of modern growth.
The time was, not many years since, when fra
tcrnal feelings between the two sections were
strong; when social intercourse rested on u
basis Of reel roca confidence and respect; when
II Southern man, visiting the North, was secure
from insults, and from plundcr 1t is far other
wise Eow He has lost caste where before he
was an equal his feelings arc outraged at every
turn his property is stolen, and he sees, all
around him, the evidences of deep laid conspiracy
to make him the victim of systematic plumber;
and last of all he feels the iron hoof OF power
upon his neck, steadily crushing him to the
earth, and trampling upon his political rights.
These things are producing their Legitimate,
their natural fruits. "Do men gather grapes Of
thorns or figs of thistles" Prjudices, wide
spread and rank have grown up among us. Our
feelings are becoming alicnated from the Union
IT is just well to confess the truth as to deny
and conceal it, and u good deal more honest
we defy any union-loving man in the South (and
we believe there has ever prevailed Il deeper
and hoIier love Of the Union here than in the
Nortl) to lay his hand on his heart, and declare
ofStates glowing as warmly there, rs in times
past. But we tell the Pennsylvania, that deep
rs our prejudices are and cool our love has
become, do us but Justice, simple justice, let us
live with you as equals, give us our covenanted
rights, and harmony and brotherhood may yet
be restored.
But we arc invoked TO "yeld certain prelu-
dices." which we fear, when interpreted, only
means that we should nagnanimously yield by
compromises some political right. Well, COM
promise il very proper word, and a very plausi-
bic one, but there is good deal Of the ad cap
iandum in il, when we arc told and know it to
be true, that the Constitution itself was the re-
suit of mutual concession and compromises
Those who talk so glibly, and mouth these
terms so pcrs uasivey however, forget the differ
ence between q compromise when two parties
are negotiating to effect contract, and COM
promise after the contract is signed and sealed
If the Union were now TO be formed, we should
be very ready to make and ask concessions.
But that is not the ca e; far otherwise. The
Constitution is formed. The bond is signed
and sealed. We point to its covenants and its
guarantees, and we demand that they shall be
observed and respected. We are unwilling :"