Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-02-08
what Should inc south Do

We see II stated that a writer in the Nashville
True Wing asserts that there is not in Tennessee one
man in thousand who favors disunion in any shape,
or under any circumstances" Are we to understand
from this that the Tennesseeans are ready to submit
to the prohibition by Congress Of slavery in all the
Territories and to its abolition in the District OF Co
umbia and in all the States rather than to dis
union This is certainly not the sentiment of the
people of North Carolina if the press may be taken
as an index of public opinion nor do we believe it
to be the sentiment of the people of Tennessee The
mother and the daughter both true and loyal to
the Union but neither of them will submit to be rob-
bed of their cherished State institutional their
rights and property-by Northern fanaticism. They
will resist such outrage, at every hazard ana TO
the last extremity.
1t is not to be disguised that we the eve of
most fearful crisis in our national affairs. Nothing
but bold and united 'front.' the part OF the South
ern States arrest the torrent of Northern 1ana
cism and lead to honorable and amiea6le ADJUST
ment of the slavery question how can ehe ooI.l.-
ring together How c o bs lGSs RrI5
where they stand unless they first decide upon their
ground and chalk out their lines :? How can the
North understand position when they are told
by one we will not submit to the Prorso in the Cali
fornia Constitution by another that the people of
the Territories may prohibit at pleasure. but we
,vould not submit to Interference BY Congress; by
another that we care but little about the Territories
but the moment Congress touches the institution IN
the District. we ready to draw the sword and
throw away the scabbard and by another that there
"is not one in thousand who favors disunon in any
shape, or under any circumstances 2" So long as
these contradictory and conflicting views are spread
before the North we shall not be surprised If they
continue to doubt whether there Is any point at all
at which the South would make a united resistance
Hence unless some definite ground is taken b. ttilv
Southern States-some moderate, reasonable consti-
tutiOnal position be taken, upon which ALL will
unite-a standard be raised, around which ALL will
raly-the probability Is that the North, deaf alike
to the voice of Justice or interest will push their
mol cofa oh Soufh
rights at the risk of sunderng forever those
sacred ties which first united, and have so long and
so happily bound together, this mighty and glorious
Republic until the South will find herself suddenly
reduced to the necessity of choosing between dis
union and dishonor-between resistance and despot-
ism
This melancholy state of things may be averted
by the timely united action of the Southern States
We regard a Southern Convention with the view of
ascertanng and setting forth clearly the sentiments
OF the Southern people this subject, the best and
only method of accomplishing this highly important
object. The action of such body would, of course
not be of legislative character. Such body would
be constitutional assemblage of the people, met
to consult for their common good to instruct their
representatives" Ito petition the Government for
redress of grievances and frankly to declare, when,
their opinion, aggressions upon their rights will
become grievances too intolerable to be borne.
1t is true, in this unnatural contest the South has
no favors to ask But it is time to demand of the
Government to be let alone in the enjoyment of the
rights and privileges purchased by the blood and
treasure of our fathers and guaranteed by the Con-
stitution, and which we cannot surrender without
sacrifice of our liberty, sour fortunes and sa-
cred honor" Thus taking position upon the
broad and safe platform of the CONSTITUTION, it
would be of impregnable strength to the South.
Let her. then take this position, let her maintain it
firmly, and she never be thrown in the wrong.
Then, in the language of that able and moderate
Wing paper, the Charlottesville Advocate, "upon
the North, and not upon u.s. will rest the response
bility of the fearful consequences which may result
from an infraction of that instrument. She has the
po,rer to pass obnoxious to u.s. but she
not force us to submit to them '-RaLeigh Star.