The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-19
From the baltimore american.
The south and Disuuiou.

The illusions 10 a dissolution of the Union by
southern gentlemen in Congress-, in the event Of
certain contingencies, have become Of late very
frequent "a to be quite familiar The general body
of the people, believe, i'm all parts Of the
try, not inclined to countenance 20 much agta-
ton this subject some of their representatives
seem disposed 10 excite; and as for the desperate
resort 10 which reference IL often made, IL. Ia
thing which the consdcrate sense Of the country,
we believe, does not regard in the light of possible
reality. No sane man contcmplates suicide a
remedy for tho ills of life.
But there arc evils, short Of disunion, which may
be brought upon the country to its sorrow, IL some
harmonious adjustment of this question Of slavery
is not accomplished before sectional animositics
become invctcrate, Some, indeed, whose opinions
entitled 10 weight, ready to believe that dis
union il IL be not attained-as we think II cannot
be-may yet be attempted in the event of extreme
measures on the part Of the North. A Washington
correspondent of the Boston Courier says:
"If you ask me what is the tone Of northern men
here, answer IL Is Of seriousness and alarm at
the ultimate issue Of the slavery question II is be-
lcvcd that an influential portion Of the southern
men really desire to scccde and that they arc using
the slavery agitation ms a weapon 10 accomplish
their purposes. II Is believed that another portion,
acting under the mingled influences ofpride appre-
hcnson and resentment, will continue 70 stand the
champions of the peculiar institution, and trust in
luck as TO where they will fetch up, not knowing
whether they viii be forced by circumstances %
side with the dsunionists, or whether they viii find
their account in finally adhcring to the Union. II
does not seem 70 DO believed that the South pur-
suing policy Of intimidation merely, notwith-
standing appearances. And confess do not be-
liove that this Ia Mr. Calhouns policy and he is the
head and front, the presiding genius of the whole
movement. Were Il not under his guidascc, i.
would wear much less formidable aspect. He has
been engaged for two years in shaping the present
condition Of things at the South, and Il appears 10
me, has been looking constantly forward TO dsunion
az a sort Of inevitable necessity. And while he
must sec, ne Governor Crittenden alleges that dis
union IL perfect remedy for tho disabilities Of the
| South, am well CONVINCED that he Il inclined to
| regard II the best Of which the case admits"
What Mr.. Calhoun's Interior purposes may be Il
| is not for us 10 conjecture II they contemplate
disunion Il IL probable that his good sense and
judgment will not fail 10 disclose 70 him, In due
time the desperate nature Of such resort AZ that
and its utter nsdcquacy TO remedy any OF the cvils
OF which the South complains. But " the southern
States, the cuinenty conservative portion Of the
Union, would be content 70 act In their conserva-
tive rather than in their sectional character they
would find no difficulty, in cooperation with the
constitutional conservatism Of the North, In main
tanning 10 the fun the rigbtfu and proper influence
70 which they are fairly entitled; and the idea o.
| disunion would assume 70 them The same absurd
| aspect which Il presents to the country generally
With some Of the southern politicians, however, 4
seems 10 be as much labor Of love 20 attack Gene
raj Tayors administration as Il IL 10 dcnounce IN,
| aegressions Of the North.