The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-23
Northern and Southern Spirit.

Northern and Southern Spirit.
It has been boldly and unblushingly declared
by the pipers of qualification" that the only re-
sistance which the Fugitive bill would encoun-
ter at the North, would proceed from few fana-
tics. without weight or influence in their respec-
tive communities. The larger and better class,
it was stated, would acquesce and even aid in
the execution of the law. The fallacy and folly
of such statements are conclusively demon
strated by the proceedings of the last few
weeks, and the aid and comfort given to the
fanatics by thisvery "more sensible GLASS;" whose
cooperation was so confidently relied upon. A
notable instance of this has been afforded at
Boston, by the published declarations Of the
venerable josiah QUINCY, one of the old
est, ablest and most influential citizens of that
place-for many years n member of Congress,
and subsequently President of Harvard Univer-
sity. Such man speaks the sentiment of no
small faction Of fanatics. What he says carries
with it the conviction of communication his
age his reputation, his elevation above even the
suspicion of personal motives, advanced as he
is in the vale Of years, all are conclusive evil
dences of his sincerity, while they give authority
to his exposition of the sentiment of the State.
Prevented from attendance at the mass meet
ing called to repudiate the law, he sent a letter
in which he condemns the bill in toto-in every
aspect-and ridicules the idea of its enforcement
In Massachusetts, as too absurd for any one Sc
rously to entertain.
''The letter is long, and contains historical
sketch Of the operation of the law Of 1893 in rea
ton to the surrender Of escaped slaves, with de-
tail Of some particular instances. But the chief
part is the view which Mr.. Quincy takes of the
danger of the laws being enforced here, and the
alarm being felt by the colored people lest they
should be Kidnapped and sent South This alarm
he regards as baseles, will appear from the few
extracts from the letter which our space will allow
US to make.
"In the first place, then, it ought, in my opin-
ion to give reasonable satisfaction to that class Of
our inhabitants uhe colored people) that, in the
State Of Massachusetts,, person has been delp
cred TO his master ander the iaio Of 1893.
Persons, therefore, under these circumstances,
ought to rest at ease, with the assurance and in
the confidence, resulting from the above fact that
IN the State Of Massachusetts, the law Of 1850
will be just as imperative for sixty years to come,
as the law Of 1903 has been for sixty years past.
But no such fear or apprehension (of aid being
given TO recapure fugtives) concerning the power
of the new law, can, in my Judgment reasonably
exist within the State of Massachusetts. Past
events sufficient guaratees for the future. The
great mass of intelligent Southern shareholders
understand the universally of the feeling in
Massachusetts on the subject Of this law, and
respect 1t, and have neither expectation DESIRE
that 1t shall be made to have retrospective or
retroactive effect. 1t is possible, that ONE one
two interested individuals, running for luck, or
desirous of creating excitement, may attempt to
put the law in force, in Massachusetts. But the
great body of Southern shareholders understand
their interests too well to desire to see created In
Massachusetts, such an excitement as would re-
suit from an attempt like that affecting the slave
Hamlet, in New York; whereby person long
residing as freeman in the State should be Sc
crety seiz ed, handcuffed, and hurried out Of it
counsel for protection, to the laws Of the State,
or the sympathies of the vicinity. Any man, Of
fcer or layman, engaged in such attempt, III the
State of Massachusetts, If successful, would, | ap
prehend, find it difficult afterwards, long to re-
main resident in land, the feelings Of whose in
habitants he had so universally outraged"
The reading of the letter was frequently inter-
ruPted by loud applause, and some of its more
emphatic portions were received with three
cheers"
To such an estimate of Southern, spirit have
the national" Misunderstanding politicians Of the
South brought the Northern mind-until they
are convinced that "the kick too much" in which
reposes the hope of every trampled people, can
never be Inflicted. "The great body of Southern
shareholders" are supposed to be gifted with
that blessed faculty of extracting good out of
things evil, 80 conspicuously exhibited by some
of their Representatives, devoutly returning
thanks for being cuffed and kicked only-the cere-
mony of nose-pulng having been "by particu-
Jar request" omitted. As the submission of the
South is supposed to be, so are the aggressions
of the North, infnle-and daily displaying new
shapes of injury and insult.
Not from the trading politicians only come
these aggravations to wrongs already perpetrated
not from her fanatics or her misguided FOOLS
but voices Of such men as JOSIAH Quincy ami
mate and encourage this crusade against South
ern property and Southern rights, and impose
new burdens on "the strong Ass crouching be-
tween the two burdens of Northern aggression
and Southern submission.
And has the South sunk so low as to make
these predictions good, by servile acquiescence
or passive apathy when her honor and her safety
plead trumpettongued against the deep damna-
lion of her taking of, and call for action ere it is
too late
If her sons finch or falter now-if those who
have talked so boldly are craven at heart: and
ere the echo of their Legislative resolves of
resistance have died away, with bated breath
will whisper now, "our safety is in submission"
then indeed will the South DO elevated on n
pedestal of shame for scorn to point its slow
unmoving finger at through all future ages.
If this is to be the issue, the hour of Southern
destiny has not only arrived, but passed by, and
her children are to be hereafter the bornthralls OF
the Higher Law-for the name of UNION will
have proven not only stronger than slavery, but
stronger than liberty also.