The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-16

attempts at the South TO resist the combinations
of the Abolitionists by similar combinations were
denounced as reasonable, and whilst the infu-
ence and spirit Of abolition were shaping and
controlling every election at the North, from that
of President down to the lowest State or Fed
eral officer, Southern people were denounced as
disloyal TO the Union because they met together
in convention TO ascertain the dangers to which
they were exposed and to consult about the most
effectual mode to resist them.
| This systematic deception was practised not
only upon the people of North Carolina but the
North were kept in profound ignorance of the
opinions of the people Of this State so far as
their opinions could be gathered from the acts 0
their legislature. At the session of cur legis-
| lature two years ago, series of resolutions was
passed, upon the subject of slavery, with singu-
lar unanimity these resolutions were moderate
in their character and spoke the sentiments OF
both the great parties which divide the State
Attached to these resolutions in their final pas
sage through the Legislature was an extract from
Washingtons address, laudatory of the Union
of the States this extract alone was seized upon
| by Washington journal and trumpeted through
out the North as the sole and eXcluE i've opinion
Of North Carolina upon subject more vital to
| her interest than any which could possibly occur
allude to these facts Mt this time, not from
any importance they now have, but solely us IL
part of the secret history of great event, and
as illustrative Of the truth exempliied in the
history of nations, that the most important re-
suits are sometimes brought about by the most
insignificant causes.
Illuminating as these facts are to every North
| Caronan jealous of the character of his State,
they are nevertheless true, and the people would
prof from them if hereafter, in all matters deeply
affecting their own interests, they would seek
| tba fr,r ,l;uhI th,n
papers in Washington city, dependent for exis.
tence upon official patronage.
At the last session of our Legislature two years
ago, more than twelve months before Congress
passed what is called the compromise upon the
sub ject of slavery, series of resolutions passed
upon the same subject, expressing what was
thought to be nearly the unanimous opinion of
the people Of North Carolina. | will now read
two of these resolutions for the reflection of the
Senate. The fourth resolution is in these words.
Resolred, Thot the enactment Of any law by
Congress which shall abolish slavery or the slaue
trade in the, District of Columbia, or shall directly
deprive the citizens of the States of this right
of emigrating with their slave property into any
IF the territories of the United States, and of
exercising ownership over the same, while in
said territories, will be an act not only Of gross
injustice and wrong, but the exercise Of power
contrary to the true meaning and spirit of the
Constitution, and never contemplated by the
trainers thereof.
This resolution passed the Senate with but
two dissenting voices, and the House with but
ten
The fifth resolution is in these words:
Resolred, That while we do not intend hereby
3 to be understood as conceding that Congress
has the power under the Constitution, to enact
G law prohibiting slavery in any portion Of the
# territories of the United States, yet for the sake
: of preserving the peace and promoting the per
: petuty of the Union, we are willing that the
g basis of the Missouri Compromise should be
l. adopted in reference to the recently acquired
= territories of New Mexico and California, by ex,
: tending the line then agreed upon to the Pacific
d Ocean. This resolution passed the Senate witt
: but two dissenting voices, the House with but
: six-nearly an unanimous vote of both political
parties
d would ask the Senate to remember that these
G resolutions were passed before the coming in o.
II General Taylor's administration, before any &C
= ton had been taken either with California o
New Mexico to make their accomplishment i'm
5 possible they were, may say, the unanimous
l. OPT, ion Of TIC two parties in the State at tina
C time; the wah Of North Carolina, Il State deepl
o in the qW,.., Of slavery, a State which ha
t. hem rwa;s Conservative in her character, ant
~ which gave &c III '"o SiS'"tioH v
&c General Taytbr to the Presidency.
d These resolutions were laid before the Con
n eress of the United statcs, but attracted no at
n tention, and produced no results; and smp
now serve as Il record that the Legislature Of tina
day did all in its power for the safety and perpe
J. tuitv of the Republic in an important crisis
9 In governments constituted like ours-baset
J. upon public opinion Legislative bodies can sim
3 ply point the way for all other purposes thei
e acts are inefficient, unless sustained by the ac
tive cooperation of the people
e The cry Of disunion raised in Washington
} city last winter and spring, was an adroit move
IS nent calculated to alarm the public mind, ant
r divert it from a sober and attentive considera
d ton of the action of the Federal Government
And, sir, the planners of this movement have
II succeeded marvclously they have persuaded
y the people TO believe that the late Compromise
J. passed in entire contempt and disregard of tn,
e resolutions of our legislature, has saved tn,
c Union, and launched It forward in long carce
of honor and prosperity.
t, have never, Mr.. Speaker, at any time be
V eved there was danger of violent dsmember
o ment of this Contederaay. Ny reading Of his
h tory teaches me that there is but one instanc,
e on record of a people fighting for great prin
J. ciple. allude to the revolution Of '76, an err
II when land iobbers, spectators in government
l. contracts, or in thSpublic funds, had but litt
$, voice in the movements Of the people. Tha
t, age Of virtuous sentiment is gone, and has bee
succeeded by one of cold pretence.
f The Southern people now are too comfortable
: and prosperous to resist the action of the Fed
t era' Government with any other weapon than
resolutions and mass meetings, which have
r ceased to attract any attention. When the nc
lion Of the Federal Government begins to beal
openly upon their prosperity, when it is visible
to the dhllcst capacity, they may then rise in
their might; but it will be like the rising Of
Sampson after he had been Shorn Of his strength
in his hours Of daIIiance; they may pull down
the temple Of liberty, but they will not be able
to preserve it or strengthen It.
- 1t has now become matter Of history that
haG North Carolina, together with the other
Southern States, jealousy co-operated in urging
the principles laiG DOWN in these resolutions, the
Missouri Compromise line would have been ex.
tended to the Pacific, and opened that vast 7ctGon
to slave emigration for all time to come. con
tend, moreover, that this is the only way to set
, tie this praot 0uaStion without hrpunr incol