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

True. this exclusion is contained in the consti-
tuition of California, and Will, we would con-
eede the right of her cor ven ion, had il been
convened in accordance " it'll The law and prece-
dent, to inc orporate sucf pr visions in her con-
sttution as her inter- sts might demand, We
deny the right of the Gre IaraI Government TO
effect, by management ID trckery, what she
could not accon psh by fir and direct means.
Bat, the deed has been consummated, and,
however uniustly it may operate upon The
South, the question may well be asked, whether
we now have the means of redress within our
power! The time was, when, had the South
presented an unbroken front in the demand OF
her rights. she could have secured them. But,
by divisions in her ranks, this period was SUI
fered to pass If we could not unite in oppos-
ing wrongs, when only threatened if we could
not prevent the admission of California into the
Union; how can it be expected that we would
unite in redressng those wrongs when they
have received the sanction Of the law! Can we
deem it possible to drive California from the
Union, or coerce her to admit slavery within her
limits Ifnot, what could we possibly gain by
resistance How improve our condition by ag-
tation! We must submit to this wrong, le"rn
wisdom from the past and in future meet and
repel aggressions at the threshold. II is easier
to resist threatened danger, than redress exist
ing wrongs.
But there is another movement, more alarming
in its character and destructive in its tendency
than all its kindred spirits Of oppression. AL
though it is a blow aimed at the South and
Southern institutions, it may, if unchecked, fall
with equal force upon every State in the Union.
alude to the doctrine contained in the message
of President Fillmore, threatening Texas with
the military force of the United States. A more
high-handed usurpation of power was never at
tempted by despot or tyrant. We may search
the Constitution in vain for setnblance Of
power authorizing the President of the United
States to invade the soil of one of the States,
armed with the military force Of the Union, to
enforce submission to disgraceful dismember-
ment Of her territory, or the settlement of any
other question. This is neither mere aastrac-
ton nor Il consummated wrong, but only threat
ened, and yet, to be matured and enforced to
our utter annihation as sovereign States.
Should Texas in her wisdom, exercise her ight
to refuse the propositions made by the General
Government, for the settlement Of her Northern
boundary, conflict between Texas and the
army of the United States is inevitable. In this
event what course shall we pursue! What
position shall we occupy!
Is there man in the State Of Arkansas who
would hesitate a moment in determining the
proper course, or who would not be found on
the side of Texas, doing battle for the cause of
the South, the doctrine of State sovereignty, and
the Constitution as it came from the hands of
the men who framed it! The cause Of Texas,
in this conflict, must be the cause Of every
Southern Statp-of every man who acknowl.
edges the doctrine of the independence of the
seperate States. Self-defence will prompt Us
to meet and resist this encroachment, and all
federal usurpaton Permit Texas to be crushed
and b rne down by the strong arm of Federal
power, and what security have We that the same |
fate may not soon betal us. Concede the right |
to the President of the United States. to use
the army and navy against one of the States Of
the Union, and the contest between the Federal
and State government is at an end forever, and
there is no barrier to stay the President from
crushing in detail every State in this Union
which might dare to resist his march to supreme
control. Let but one blow be struck. in the ex-
ecuton Of the disgraceful threat of the EXrru-
tive and you may no longer talk Of Consttu-
ton or the Union. No earthly power can pre-
serve them. They will not be worth preserya
ton | am no dsunionist.-Bnt, rather thnn
Weld to this principle, and concede the power o
the General Government to enfore obedience to
her unjust laws, at the point Of the bayonet, !
would say DISSOLVE the Union, for there can BIZ
no security under it.
deem it your duty, as representatives of this
State, to give an expression of your views upon
these questions, that whatever moral weight they
may carry with them, may be felt upon the side
Of State rights and Southern interests.
The Fugitive slave bill, one of the series of
measures passed by the last Congress, and the
only one in which the rights Of the South were
regarded, is meeting with warm and determined
opposition ut the North. An effort will be made +,
to procure its repeal. Should it prove success
full. the South can no longer, with honor to her.
self, maintain her present relations with Il e |
North. The rcpea! Of this act is an undisguised
declaration Of the feelings and determinations
Of the North and he is a mailman who can
longer look for justice or an observance Of our
rights at their hands. The repeal OF this act
should be made to terminate the contest, and
secession adopted rs the only remedy for the !
evil
In view of existing facts, we should take
position, il possible, calculated to prevent
state Of affairs calamitous. But, filling in
this, let us be prepared for the impending
crisis.
We have in the South every production re-
quisitc for either comfort or luxury-every IA
cility Cor mAnutactures-in a word the North
so arrogant and unjust, with her despotic and
INSCRIPTIONS majority, is comparatively unne-
cessary to the prosperity of the South,
But, however superior may Ne our advantages,
and however sure inevitable ruin to the North
would follow separation from us, who could
rejoice to see it! What conceivable advantage
that we might realize, would repay us the loss
of the Union!
1t should be our policy to pursue that course
best calculated to preserve undisturbed those
political relations upon which our unity was
based. If the course of the North remains un-
changed, these relations cannot long be man-
taincd. The North should be taught the i'm
portancc Of this Union, before it is too late for
her TO profit by the lesson by the establishments
far as practicable, Of Southern non-ntercourse
system. Let this spirit be encouraged by lpgis
lative action; let the Southern people act upon
it; stimulate Southern enterprise; inculcate
Southern spirit in our young men, ty educating
them at home let 4 portion Of the capital now
employed in producing the raw material, be in
vested in its manufacture let Southern mer-
chants purchase Of Southern importers, and thus
encourage Southern commerce let every thing
be Southern let Southern capital be employed
in the natural resources of the South; let us re-