The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-03

organ or press at Washington can Southern
men communicate with the world, or with
each other, upon their own peculiar inter-
ests? So far from writing, or permitting
anything to be written, which is calculated
to defend the rights of the South, or state its
case, the papers here are engaged in lulling
the South into false security, and in man
ufacturing there an artificial public sentiment,
suitable for some Presidential platform,
though at the expense Of any and every in
terest you may possess, no matter how dear
or how vital and momentous
] This state Of things results from party OBJ
legations and regard 70 party success. And
they but subserve the ends of their estab-
lshment, IN consulting their own interests,
and the advancement Of the party to which
they are pledged. You cannot look to the a
as sentinels over interests that are repugnant
to the feelings of the majority Of the self
sustaining party.
In the Federal Legislature the South has
some voice and some votes; but over the pub
lie press, as it now stands at the Seat of
Government, the North has controlling in
auence. The press Of this city takes its
tone from that OF the North. Even our
Southern press is subjected, more or less, to
the same influence. Our public men, yes,
our southern men, owe their public standing
and reputation too often to the commentator
and praise Of the Northern press. Southern
newspapers republish from their respective
party organs in this city, and in so do,
ing, eproduce---unconsciou doubtless, iD
most instances, of the wrong they do--theI
northern opinion in regard to public mem
and measures. How dangerous such statel
of things must be to the fidelity OF your RED
representatives. it is needless to say! The VI
are but men, and twould be unwise to supp
pose that they are beyond the reach Of temp!
tations which influence the rest Of mankinds
Feow-citzens, it rests with ourselves tG
alter this state Of things, so far as the South
| is concerned. We have vast interests, which
we are bound, by many considerations, tc1
defend with all the moral and political means
in our power. One of the first steps to this
5reat end is to establish Southern Organ
here, paper through which we may com.
mune with one another and the world all
large. We do not propose to NEEDLE with
political parties as they now exist; we wish
to enlist every southern man in southern
cause, and in defence of southern rights, be|
he Wing or be he Democrat. We do NOD
propose to disturb him, or to shake him ir
his party relations. All that we ask is, tina
he she'll consider the constitutional rights 0
the South, which are involved in the grea
abolition movement, as paramount to al
party and all other political considerations
And surely the time has come when al
southern men should unite for the purpose 0
self-defence. Our relative power in tn |
Legislature of the Union is diminishing witt |
every census; the dangers which menace
are daily becoming greater; and, the chief in
strument in the assaults upon US is the publ
press, over which, owing to our supineness, tn
North exercises controlling influence. s.
far as the Southis concerned, we can chang
and reverse this state of things. 1t is nc
to be borne, thatpublic sentiment at the Sout
should be stifed or controlled by the part
press.
Let us have press Of our own, as tn,
North has, both here and at home-a pres
which shall be devoted to Southern rights
and animated by Southern feeling; whicI
shallo not to the North but the South f.
the tone which is to pervade it. Camin,
our share of rover in Federal Legislation, lie
US also claim our share of influence in tn,
press of the country. Let US organize il
every Southern town and county, so as t
send this paper into every house in the land
Let us take, too, all the means necessary t
maintain the paper by subscription, SO as t
increase its circulation, and promte tn
spread of knowledge and truth. Let ever
portion Of the South furnish its full quota
talent and money to sustain paper whic
ought to be supported by all, because it wi
be devoted to the interest of every Souther3
man. 1t will be the earnest effort Of tn
committee who are charged with these ar
engagements, to procure editors Of high talen
and standing; and they will also see that thu
paper is conducted without opposition, an:
without reference to the political parties
the day. With these assurances, we fee
justified in calling upon you, the people d
the Southern States-to make the necessary
efforts to establish and maintain the propose e
paper.
A. P. BUTLER,
JACKSON MORTON,
ssr. p TOOMRS