The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-22


CRATE distinctly acknowledged; while the Cen
eral Assembly of Alabama repudiated in the
resolutions have quoted the same doctrine
We all felt then that the Government did owe
duties to the property of the Southern States,
and that the blood and treasure expended by
them in the war, were not compensated by the
cold aud neglectful principle thus put forth by
party politicians. The shortcomings of both
parties in the presidential contest which fol-
lowed, in no wise obscure the majesty and dig
nifty of tho principles our State declared nor
remove the obligation to naintain them.
No candid man will pretend tina. any condi-
ton OF things which can occur, will establish
slavery in New Mexico or Utah. III there was
the slightest tendency to such result, the ex-
pedient successfully practiced in the ease of
California would be forthwith employed to pre-
vent it. >@
The case of Texas remains now to be exam
ined. The administration of Mr.. Polk acqui-
esced in the claims of Texas east of the Rio
Gfande. He ordered tho military at Santa Fe
to cooperate with Texas in organizing its gov
ernment Gen. Taylor withdrew the order for
cooperation, but directed the observance of
neutrality. A few persons DESTROYS of holding
Office in new state, and probably stimulated
from the United States, originated an opposition.
Mr.. Clay, in his hostile assault upon Gen. Tay-
lors recommendations, commented with severi-
ty upon this order The probability is that some
Of the public men of Texas desired money for
her more than soil and sovereignty Whatever
may be the motives, the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Tex
as, hardly thought of before this session ofCon-
gress, became indispensable in the end Presi-
dent Fillmore within month after his elevation
to that high Office, sent to Congress message
denouncing the acts which Mr.. Polk approved,
and Gen. Taylor acquiesced in, and threaten
ed Texas with the army and navy of the Uni
ted States unless Congress should make a set
Element of tho difficulty. Under the impress
sion Of this menace, the bill of settlement was
adopted.
The objection to this bill is that Congress
was called to act upon it under the duress pro-
1dueed by the extraordinary message submitted
to it. The alternatives of civil war or set
Element were presented to Congress, and are
now presented to Texas. The lands east of the
Rio Grande will be attached to New Mexico.
The constitution presented Mt Washington for
that state is significant Of what the con-
sequence may be. Slavery will be excluded,
if not by the Mexican laws already in force,
then by the will of the "many colored popula-
tons" which form that community. Finally,
the burden of doing this is imposed on the pub
lie treasury, and the south contributes to its own
undoing.
The last measure shall notice, is the bill to
abolish the slave trade in the District of Colum-
'bia. The avOwed object of this bill regard
as of no Importance The mode of accomplish
ing the end formed the feature which endeared it
to the Northern people. There were Southern
to proper bill This one they were compelled
to reject. The power of liberating slaves under
certain conditions, involves its existence for every
purpose ST is The first step in the aoay Of gen
eral emancipation" said one Senator; I" true"
said another, shut not the last" The Fugitive
Slave bill passed against the votes of the Offend
ing States, and being received among them with
execration, Kissing and scorn, furnishes no pal
liative for the open breach Of principles and the
fragrant denial Of right and justice in all of the
remainder.
This review demonstrates that the property
Of the Southern States is excluded from the
" common ground" Of the Union, and that pro-
lection has been systematically and on principle
denied, where protection was necessary. 1t
shows, too, that u most fragrant violation of the
fundamental principles of our institutions will
be tolerated, provided it supports anti-slavery
feelings or interests.
Suppose, however, that these measures, de-
rogatory rs they are, shall be acquiesced in-wl
the Southern States obtain relief from the in
cessant assaults the constant irritation, the plots
harrassng imputations, and dangerous machina-
tons of people of the Northern States on this
subject Have we obtained or can we purchase
peace by submission! | can only Judge of the
future by the past and present. What are the
lessons they teach! The slavery agitation has
lasted sixty years. 1t commenced with the aboli.
.. - 81 IA 10 ub, nL
kings and princes and mobiles We're at one time
parties, is now held to be piracy and felony by
the civilized world. The first votes in England
were taken near the end of the last century fol
its suppression and failed to effect it. The agita.
ton about the same time commenced against do
nestle slavery. 1t has expelled the white mar
from Hayti; it has destroyed the wealth and
civilization of the British West Indies it has
overturned the relation of master and slave in
the French, Danish, Swedish, and Dutch colo.
MES and in the republics of South America !; in
the United States it has imposed the Missouri
restriction, the Oregon exhibition and the legis.
lation of the existing Congress. 1t has within
the United States conquered, by its bold and
overbearing spirit, 100000 and upwards OF
square miles of territory for FREE SOIL, in which
the STAKEHOLDER has declared he had an incon.
trovertible right
This contest is an extraordinary one. We
are at war with dogmas, doctrines, opinions
To enforce these, the churches of Great Britain
coalesce with those of the Northern States in
the work of agitation, while the governments in
those communities acknowledge their sympathy
with their proceedings by avowing anti-slavery
opinions and an antislavery policy. The com
bination of religion with politics, sectariau min
listers Stimulating politicians, and politicians wear
ing the gars Of religion, has affected already the
most important results. Besides, these parties
Of natural and social equality and testify as large
fanaticism as is found in the other. These
combinations march straightforward to their OBJ
ject of universal emancipation, without regard
to the disorders, commissions, or revolution they
may produce. The effect Of these combinations
at home and abroad is apparent upon the politi
clans of the Northern States Giving them nc
credit for fixed opinions and settled convictions
we find them pursuing by zigzag course and
covert ways, and the other devices Of political
enpiuaerinu tn secure themselves the same