The southern press., 1850-09-05
Course Of the wa.hington union,

lnlnlI.nnn..on
Course Of the washington Union.
The Editor of the Union occasionally pub
fishes letters addressed to him in appreciation
of his recent course, but suppresses those which
condemn it. .r .a...s....-
We received the following from former sub
scriber of the Union, and as the original had been
directed to him, we have waited for its appear
anee in that paper. But seeing nothing of it,
we insert it. The letteris written in plain style
but it contains more good sense than all the
editorials of the Union. and the speeches of Mr..
CLAY and Mr.. FooTE in behalf of the Compro-
mise plan put together %.
BENTON, LowNDEs Co, Ala, Aug. 7, 1850.
Mr.. Thomas RITcHIE- ,u.i,.
Sir: paid you short time past for your week
ly paper It is not what respected it would be; il is
not what it was during the many years my father
and large family connexion, subscribed and
read it-most of them have discontinued it within
the last two months; and, sir, that is my wish
also. If you choose, hand the balance due me,
with the two dollars enclosed, to the editor Of the
weekly Southern Press, il not, keep the bal
ance due me and stop your paper, as don I wish
to encourage or circulate it.
This course has not been hastily adopted, but
deliberately, after mature reflection. We are all
here opposed to the Wilmot Proviso. You taught
us to oppose it or resist. Why then, sir, should
we take the bill proposed by the Committee Of
Thirteen' The WiImot Proviso excludes the
South from all the Territories; SO does the COM
mttees bill, with Henry Clay at its head. II does
more, by going three steps beyond, viz: buys u
large part Of the State Of Texas, with money in
part ours, to give as a bond to pacify free-soil-
ISM next it legslates the slave trade in the Dis
trct and last, in the clause pretending surrender
fugitive slaves, gives to the slave in slave State
the right of trial by jury-to try his right to free
dom, binding the master in a bond Of one thou
sand dollars to give his slave the right, and thus
too after proving and sustaining his title in free
State Call you this sustaining Southern rights :
Besides this sustaining of bill which efectuay
excludes the South from all territory, and for all
time odous and insulting to every citizen of every
State South, you cap the climax by taking the
old Federalist Henry Clay for your leader, whose
principles you have taught me from my infancy
to detest. What strong meat hast thou fed on
at Washington, to produce this mighty change
| would not lift the veil if could.
l am States-right Democrat, and an old Union
man in Modification time. am moving now, as
heretofore, when under your Aad, against consoli-
da,on, and for the right of property and sover-
eighty Of the States, with equality and liberty as
my motto. This, sir, you once wanted; still
want 1.-THE Constitution secures it.
The South paid her money, shed her blood in
the requirement Of this territory; and sir, we here
are foolish enough to believe, as you did six
months ago, that we do really own a part Of the
land; and believing this, is it strange that we as
preemen in free country, should insist on our
President, or what party rules, we want our
rights, and if this is denied to us, upon the heads
Of the North, and not on ours, must rest the
blame.
am plain farmer, have not been, nor do |
expect ever to be politician. But, sir, the South
has rights, and for one am ready to defend them.
should not stop until the enemy leaves our gates,
wise God Did the States surrender their sover-
gnty when they entered the Union' did they not
expressly reserve their rights of sovereignty, as
you have always taught us' If so, whencearrises
the sovereignty Of the will of a reckless majority,
setting aside law and Constitution, and battering
down the equality Of citizens, of States, well as
natural and reserved rights, at one fell swoop,
under the poor and humiliating plea or threat,
that it is the best you do, and better take that
than fare worse' 1t is not the best we can do
now, much less SO, had our friends not proved
themselves traitors by their acts--throwing them
selves into the front ranks Of the enemies Of our
just cause. Even if it was the best, let the enemy
lay on the last, and save us the ignominy Of rob-
berry and disgrace from the hand Of our fathers
and sons. Hungary would have been free bu,
| for her Georgeys; so would the South but for
her her Ritchies, her *** &c. Ii
is the best we can get, is it' If SO, spike youl
guns, "throw your garment over your head
and hide your face from the disgrace of youl
| fathers; and if surrender we must, let our swords
| pass into the hands of the enemy; let him have
the credit of the victory, and save your South
ern brethren the mortifying spectacle Of serving
the Hales, or be pushed aside, while Foote and
Richie denounce as ultras and traitors those
Southern men who ask the poor privilege of being
let alone and secured in their rights south of the
Missouri line; concession enough, (too much,) as
you have often told us, to satisfy all save only
those who aim at our destruction. Shame, shame
my father, would to God you had never lef
Richmond If you can't help your friend, fo
God s sake don t help the liar.
| With due respects,
JOHN HARDY, Jr
| P. S.-Editors Of the "Southern Press" tn,
above is copy Of letter addressed to fathe
Richie, with two dollars enclosed for the Press
You can use this as you may think proper.
]. II. Jr.