Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-06

form constitution was under consideration they appende
that prosso to il and thus obliged its friends 10 abandon
The people Of the country there being thus persuaded h
their only chapce get into the Union was BY the excuso
of slavery very naturally incorporated the proyso into the
constitution.
The course which you have some extent pursued how
patriotic may be motives and more especially hs
Of the National Intellgeuce to calculated only
produce mischief refer to the attempt to underrate IA
condition of feeling the South by extracts carefully Guile
from Southern papers, letters &c. No mprs sson is therein
body there fully understands, opGons cannot be shaken
relation 10 it, Those persons who kn0U that it
wrong that the South should not be permitted, with her inst
utions TO occupy any part of the common terory such
not accustomed to that the exclusion
outrage on their rights When any man. how high
may be bis position, decaims against the extension of slavery
into any part Of the territory his words produce more eec
the settled Judgment of the South than e dashing of th
waves against the base OF mountain of solid granite The
only effect OF these publications is deceive the North
What possible good result from keeping tbs people of tina
section in profound ignorance of the conditions Of things in
the South Is il wise thus mislead the people there
Why let them know that their movements NAV bring
them into danger Is regarded wise stroke Of policy
IN military commander, TO conceal from his own aoops the
DANGER until be bring them up suddenly upon masked
battery If the Union be in peril nothing seems to me bet
ter calculated 10 increase the danger than such course
this
Even if these quotations should be fairly made from the
particular papers selected must be remembered that they
constitute small portion OF those published in the Southern
States Il may be remarked, too that number Of these
papers are published by Northern men, Of whom retain
their original sectional feelings and adoty endeavofng
10 advance the ani-savey views of the North Other jour
nails partly from party feeling Of opposition movements
which found in the FIRST instance in the Democratic
papers, and partly out of Difference to the of the central
press m this city, supposed be in accordance with the views
the have echoed back what they supposed
would be acceptable here As however, has become man
estthat they Fundamentally aiding the anavery move
ent OF the North they have gradually been taking better
view o. things and have doubt but that ultimately, all
sucn o. mem as are governed by patriotic considerations will
assume the proper position The North is msed by the
TACT that certain Southern willing to sacrifice the
general national interests Of the Union by abandoning the
rights OF their own section and adopting the narrow sectional
claims OF the North. Whether these persons are governed
by misguided patriotism merely seeking Northern sup
port Tor their personal advancement be expected
that they should be sustained by those whose rights they are
willing to surrender. If they have already lost their in
huence, they will inevitably do when their position I'M
derstood and the feeling has become intense The effect Of
these things however, be productive Of nothing but mis-
Chief by misleading the North Had the feeling
IN the old thirteen colonies been understood in England six
months before the the declaration Of independence
luton would have occurred but the British Parliament
and people cheated and deceived by the ministers and
their organs, who declared from time time that the
LIANT on this side Of the Atlantic only from few
bilious and actious men, who making ard exct
ing sedlon to give themselves consequence and that the
great body Of the inhabitants of the colonies loyal
tented and quiet and attached to the General Government
and the union with Great Britain that they would submit to
Whatever laws the Parliament nigh. pass With this exam
pe so familiar to American minds not strange that sim
liar deluson should now prevail
But will now advert another point, viz the means pro-
posed to resist the improper action Of the Northern majority
have expressed the opinion that under obligations to
support the constitution Of the United States all
sistent with its provisions should be exhausted before
should be recommendation to appeal rights above it.
And have hence advised that, under all the circumstances
an equitable adjustment cannot be obtained Of the territorial
question: then ought refuse to pass any appropriation
bills for the support of the Government The idea of refusing
supplies not of American origin It has been claimed in
England the undou5ed right the Parliament to refuse at
sown discretion, supplies the Executive This right too
has IN practice from time time been exercised protect the
rights and liberties Of the people Of England and has
been the means OF e1orng additional privileges from the
British monarchs.
Will be pretended that the of American
ought to do less protect the essential rights and
liberties even, OF the people whom they represent In Eng
and however, nothing less than majority Of the represent
auSes can DO this but under constitution the minority
may effect the same object Nobody will appehend, affirm
that The same act per Sc which would be proper when done
BY the majority, would be wrong effected by the minority,
aching in the provided by the constitution ITSELF The
act OF the majority Is only effective because the constitution
declares but this constitution provides also that certain
acts when done by the minority, shall be effective. This
difference between constitution and that of Great Britain
operates in behalf of liberty, and protect the Of the
minority II is in some respects like the Presidential veto,
which every body admits ought certain to be exercised
though does have the effect Of defeating the action Of the
majority The constitution of the United States, under
which alone Congress acts provides that fifth Of the
bes present demand that the yeas ard nays shall be
taken on any question which be submitted the Speaker
1t also provided that each House may adopt its rules
OF order Such rules have been adopted already the House
OF Representatives, and unit, modified changed by
the House ITSELF as much binding the Speaker and every
member as any constitutional provision whatever. In
codance with these rues certain motions may be made and
the yeas and nays taken from time to time Under the
suion and these rules one-h of those members present
have undoubtedly the power prevent the passage of laws
and to prevent also the adoption Of any motions for change
Of the old rules Of the House PROFESSIONALLY this power
in the hands Of the minority which might be abused so
however, might any other power granted by the constitution
whether given TO the majority, the minority, single
individual as the President Judge other officer If the
minority for mere iactous slight purposes thus to
impede legislation this would undoubtedly be great abuses
but If that minority the other hand, this
system only temporarily ard matter Of defence against
weseed and gross system Of injustice and tyranny the
part OF the majority then their conduct would only be no
abuse OF its powers bat would in fact, be praeworhy
and patriotic action for the protection OF the essential rights
their constituents No citizen has right to strike another
persons but If ore assaed and beaten then be justified
IN striking the assaant until he compes him dess from
bis attack.
Since this mode Of resistance suggested seems to
nave been received with much favor by Southern From
many evidences within my reach select the following pas
sage from letter to me, which present fairly the
view taken in the South far as am able to
he wiiter not only whose opinion will have much
weight that Of any in North Carolina from his stand
ng and talents. but entitled the consideration
Inc TACT that during service of Congress be
was not less distinguished for his moderation and
i've views than for the rmness and ability with which be
maintained them. As the letter from which make the
act was private one, do give the name Of the writer
much as might by SO doing, strengthen the uicous state