The southern press., 1850-11-04
AZ The editor of the Louisville Democrat

Union should be preserved in the integrity of
lis territory as well as principles. We prefer
that the South should remain chiefly agricul.
tural, since manufactures and commerce are
established in the North. But if the Union
cannot be maintained according to its principles
in love and affection, let there be peaceable
secession, and we shall be able to test the merit
of the principles on which the separate confe-
deracies are founded. There will then be com
petition between the two fo- good government:
and whichever is the best will prevail by secur-
ing the adherence of the most States
We re-publish also from the Washington
Union a similar plan taken by that paper from
an able writer in the Mobile Tribune:
The despatch from Boston on Saturday morn
ing shows a state of feeling in that city which
augurs i'll for the tranquility of the country.
Massachusetts, once principal in robbing Africa
of her children, now would rob the South of her
property. The fathers stole the negroes from
Africa to sell for gain, and their children, whilst
enjoying the profits, would steal the negroes
their fathers sold. A desperate game this, to
play. If they wish to atone for their sins of
old times let them restore to the negroes among
them their ill-gotten gains, with interest," and
thus keep faith with the Union whilst they exer-
else their philanthropy. We regard with deep
interest the agitation now going on inthe North
en States; unless it subsidies, these States must
prepare to separate. If the North has made
hard bargain, and is resolved to trample its con-
ditions under foot, it had better be peaceably
cancelled. .'a
We give this morning an article from the
Georgia aConstitutionalist. The editor is most
Jealous member of the Southern State rights
party, and correctly represents, no doubt, the
position of those who are indisposed to acqui-
esce in the late doings of Congress-. They are
not for secession or dissolution, but they will
prepare for it, and their disposition is only the
more ominous for its moderation. They will
wait and prepare means adapted to the end,
which they will keep in view. 1 @ 's
The present aspect of things is portentious;
not from any immediate danger, but for the
seeds of dissolution sown. Some remedy for
this condition of things must be devised. Our
fathers formed a Union. Their wisdom was
equal to that task Has not the present gener-
alton wisdom enough to see the defects that
have been developed, and invent remedy?--
The apprehension is that the Federal Govern
ment is authorized to use force to compel
State to submission to whatever dominant ma
jority may dictate, and the injured have no re-
source but in revolution against oppression. Ii
this theory of the Federal Government is main
tanned, revolution will come. 1t may be post
poned for time, but it is obvious that the mi
nority will begin to prepare for the worst, and
the constant cry of resistance to oppression will
cngender feeling of hostility to the Federal
Government thot nothing can appease but disso-
luton. ..,..
We are satisfied that the only remedy is a
frank acknowledgement of States right to Sc
cede from the Union, and the form prescribed
by which it can be peaceably done. We shall
then hear no more of dominant majority. A
State will have remedy in her own hands
Our fathers asserted that when Government
became destructive of the ends for which it was
established, it was the right of the people to alter
or abolish it, and to institute new government,
laying its foundation in such principles, and or
ganizing its powers in such manner as to them
may seem most likely to effect their safety and
happiness. Shall we set this down as en- inl-
practicable theory, or mere idle defamation p
Is there no way to make it practical and re-
cognized truth in our political organization!
According to very commonly received theory,
the Federal Government is nothing more at last
than despotism, in theory, and may easily be-
come in practice.
Congress can pass what peases the majority,
President is elected by that majority and holds
the same views. The Federal Court may in
time concur in the popular sentiment, and wrest
the Constitution to the majority's purpose. But
even if it does not, Congress may now pass acts
of intolerable oppression that will not be set
aside by our highest judicial tribunals. The
means necessary TO carry into effect express
powers are now, by the decision Of our judicial
tribu ais, at the discretion of the Federal Legis-
lature--a discretion which is almost another
name for despotism in theory
But however despotc and oppressive State
or whole section may esteem a measure, or Sc
ries of measures, some contend that the Presi-
dent is armed with the whole power of the army,
and ready to see that the law is faithfully exc
cuted
Now if this be true, and there is no remedy
but in a bloody resistance, where is the right of
the people acknowledged to alter or abolish
government held oppressive? This declaration
stands solemn mockerv, and will be reproach,
perhaps, hereafter to the memory of our ances-
tors who put it forth, and then stultified them
selves by forming government from which this
great truth was excluded. True, it may be said
the right of revolution is allowed by this decla-
ration. But the power of n government recog-
nizes no such right as that of>revolution, and
the declaration is idle verbiage if it means moth
ing more. ..s... ..,.! Il. .1
Our fathers surely never intended that the
Federal Government should force a State into
submission. 1t would be contrary to their liv-
ing sentiments and actions.
Some, we know, may hesitate to allow the
right of secession, and hesitate to provide ex-
pressly for its exercise. But if they will reflect
a moment, they will see that the power exists,
and, in the last extremity, viii be exercised sue
cessfully. When it shall come to the test, will
any man sanction the drawing of a sword to
force State to succumb? Does any patriot
want forced Union? Will the spirit of our
people ever tolerate it? If they do, they are
ready for despotism, and it will come sooner
or later. Let it be declared at once that this
Union is voluntary on the part Of the States,
and provide that it shall be, and it will last for
ever No State can thereafter look upon the
Federal Government as a tyrant to be guarded
against. They can be met at once by the fact
that, if the mass of a State think so, they can