The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-19
UNION In THE SOUTH.

Union ct the South, means opposition TO Sc
cession AMI adherence to the Constitution Union
at the North, means opposition to the Wilmot
Proviso, and adherence to the so called Compro-
mise of the last session With the latter we have
no fellowship, but the former commands our warm
est sympathies.
That the cause of the Union should prevail in
the South does not surprise us. We never ex-
pected anything else. A year ago in some specu-
latons on the subject, we predicted that should
Disunion he seriously attempted, the first thing
done would be for the Legislatures of the several
States to call State Conventions of the People,
submitting to them the question of Union or
Dsunion. Forthwith, old party distinctions
would be forgotten, the People would be divided
into Union and Ant-Union parties, a general
discussion would follow, and the vital Importance
to the South of the Union, would be so palpable,
as to insure an overwhelming popular majority
against ell schemes Of disorganizaton. In this
faith we rested.
The Nashville Convention was held, while
the great questions springing out of the claims
of Slavery were before Congress 1t was a
lean, spectral assemblage. 1t lifted its skeleton
finger in warning, and adjourned to meet on a
day certain, under the impression of course, that
Congress would mind its pig and q's But with
extraordinary recklessness, that body did what it
was commanded not to do, and left undoue what
| it was commanded to do The lean assemblage
again met, but this tine more consumptve than
ever and, after a few spasms of indignation, ex-
PRED, never to be resuscitated
Meantime, the Legislatures Of Georgia and
Mississippi had rashly committed their respective
States to extreme measures in the event Of the
admission of California as a free State Califor-
MIA was so admitted. Governor Towns thereupon
issues his proclamation for Convention Of the
| People of Georgia, and Governor Quitman calls
an extra session of the Mississippi Legislature to
determine the mode and measure of redress Our
faith kept us comfortable, Governor Towns en-
thussstic ardor for Secession kindled no sympa-
thetic flame. The People went to work to calcu-
late the value of the Union; parties took the
names respectively of 81 State Rights and State
Rights and Unior," and the upshot of the strug-
gle was, the total prostration of the Secessionsts
The Macon Journal of the Goth contains returns
from the various counties in the State which
show majoriics for Union in all the counties but
Elk, and l67 Union delegates to Disunon Peo-
pie who were frightened by the terrible demon
STATIONS of the Georgia Legislature, may now
sleep in peace.
And Mississippi-her chivalrous Legislature
seconded the motion of Governor ouitman-
| L,eys
and then passed resolutions calling Convention
Of the People to determine the mode and measure
of redress for the grievous wrongs inflicted upon
Mississippi by the admission of free State into
the Union. With singular method in their mad
ness, however, and willing to allow Judge Sharkey
and the General plenty of time to bring about the
same result that has taken place in Georgia, they
fixed the time of meeting one year ahead-some-
where about the middle of next November They
knew when they did this, that one year from this,
scarcely county in their State would return a
Disunion member of the Convention.
Texas furnishes another striking illustration
of the hollowucss of this cry of Disunion in the
South A little while ago she was bristling with
bayouets, il some Of the newspapers were to be
believed. "An or None" Down with Federal
Usurpatioun-was the battle cry. Governor Bell,
another specimen Of the warlike tribe, called an
extra session, and recommended raising troops to
resist the encroachments Of the United States
Clay was in trcpidasion. Cass mcurned over
the portents of coming war and bloodshed. The
speculators in Texas bonds were shocked at
the want of patriotism manifested by stubborn
members of Congress who opposed grant of ten
millions to Texas, ut the fearful hazard Of war
with that formidable State. The Legislature Of
Texas met--the telegraph duly chronicled war
like speeches, and bills for raising Texan army
TO march against the United States troops in New
Mexico-nervous men in Congress began to
shake-Pearce's Boundary bill with its ten mil.
lions to the martial State went through the Sen
ate-the House gladly received il, and would ad'
nit of no amendment enough stubborn mem
hers held out TO defeat 1t twice, MIR Representa-
tive Howard of Texas voting against 1t, too-the
last time by mistake. Then came the disclosure.
Mr. Howard was frightened-he had supposed
Northern men would be more yielding, but was
taken nn and consequently must take the back
track With trembling esgerness he moved a
second reconsideration, an unprecedented mo-