The southern press., 1850-09-05

For one, i think the favor OF this omission mas
been over-estimated at the South. If the effect
lie legislation of Congress, or of the existing
laws in the territories, be, 70 exclude the slave
holder from an iDgress upon them, or to make his
situation there uneasy and difficult, it appears to
me a matter Of but little consequence, how the
injury is accomplished
Bulwer, in one of his. novels, describes thief
nstructing her pupil upon the relative values OF
robbery and stealing, as professions. " II you
wants what is not your own, says the venerable
mother, "try and do without it, and If you can
not do without it, take it away by insinlvaton,
not by bluster. They swindles does more,
and risks less, than they as robs. have never
been able to find difference in the results to the
Southern States, between the bold, brave process
of the Wilmot Provso, and tie sly, stealthy,
both terminate in the appropriation Of all the
conquests of Mexico, to free-soil demands, and
in the exclusion Of the Southern stakeholder
The politician gains as much, and risks less, by
adopting the latter plan, and hence Its recommen-
dation.
| have congratulated you upon the defeat Of
Mr.. Clay Bill All the accounts from Wash
ngton City show us, that the " snake is scotched,
not killed" The principles Of the bill will be re-
vived, in their most offensive form.
The Southern States have with perfect unanim-
ty, declared, that under our form Of government,
their citizens have clear right to migrate with
any of their property 10 the territories of the
Union, and that Congress has no power to pro-
hhit them. The States constitute the sovereign
authorities from which the Federal Government
derived its existence and power, and for which il
is trustee. The principal Of the duties it is held
to perform, is that of guarding and protecting pro-
perty, held under the laws of the States, within
the range Of its jurisdiction. The Compromise
bill OF Mr.. Clay was framed upon the principle
that IN the territories Of the Union, Congress had
no duties to perform in regard to slave property.
1t made no recognition Of the title of the slave
master, nor provision for his security. On the
contrary, all duties and obligations towards him,
were studiously and systematically abandoned.-
The bill only provided ample means for a conten-
tious litigation of his title to his property. Thus
dispute, embarrassment and contention, conse-
quences which every government seeks to avert
from its citizens, were elaborately and curiously
interviewer into this plan OF adjustment, and this
portion offered to the Southern States, as their
share of the compromise. l say offered, but when
one recollects the imperious and arrogant tone Of
the framer Of the bill and Of of his utants
| should have said that the Southern States were
commanded to receive with thankfuness, the share
| which the conscience of the framer OF the bill per-
mitted him to offer.
Had this bill been framed as a platform for
presidential aspirant, and his followers, and
never to be used in practical legislation, grant
you; it was marvelIously fitted for the Object
The Northern and Southern supporters of the
bill, have varously described the results to flow
from it. The free soiler and the STAKEHOLDER,
have, each been told to bless themselves, with the
fruit it bears. The bill its vital point, was
framed for exposition, and every shade ofopinion
could be collected from the expostions which have
been given to 1t. This uncertainty, doubt and
mystery, which makes it the darling Of the plat
form, politicians should render it an abomination
to republican community. The people exact
good faith, plain dealing, open hearted sincerity
and truth; in their ordinary intercourse. Their
| laws and policy should possess the same charac-
teristics. We want, at all times, and now more
than at any other time, plain and ineligible un-
derstanding OF all our rights. The Southern
States cannot endure in safety any obscurity or
doubt, as to the relation which the Federal Govern
ment is to maintain to the Shareholder.
What then is the duty of the General Govern
ment to that class of property, wherever it may be
found' My answer is that in whatever situa-
ton the Federal Government finds slave master
with slaves, its duty towards him is to recognize
his title.
The duty Of ascertaining property belongs to
the States. Whenever it comes within the juris-
diction Of the United States, their duty is to re-
cognze the title held under the laws Of the States
and to protect and guard it. The great powers
deposited with the Federal Government, were
given, not only, to carry into effect, its special
objects of the union, but, also, to maintain the
rights reserved to the States respectively; when
ever, therefore, the Federal Government abdcates
this duty Of affording security to American pro-
perty within its jurisdiction, and leaves it to con-
tention and dispute, it violates its constitutional
obligations. These obligations require a plain
recognition Of the title of the owner, and vigorous
measures for his security. The refusal Of these
is injustice. This injustice involves the existence
Of the Government itself A confederacy Of States,
one portion Of which systematically degrades and
dsparages the titles of the other to their property;
in the common territory Of which there is no
| common enjoyment-is most destitute Of vital
principle. Such scheme Of government is wholly
impracticable. No State Of this Union will long
continue under reproach and dsparagement The
| nOheSt. dearest which an m
can feels, is, that which binds him to his State. 1t
is the fountain Of his patriotism, the spring of his
noblest efforts of public virtue.
/ Whenever he finds that State placed under re-
proach unjustly-whenever his relationship to it
is source Of dishonor and disparagement, he is
ready to bestow his life for her. The continued
efforts of the Northern States to afiiX a stigma
upon us, have brought the Southern people to this
temper-a strong Of the injustice of any dis
elimination on the part Of Congress, in its deal
ngs with property in the States, has rendered me
extremely reluctant to support anything which
involved the slightest concession to this spirit of
injustice. The South from the peace Of 1888, has
been engaged in concessions to the same insolent
spirit. Instant upon the treaty Of peace claim
was made by the Northern States, for a share in
the western territories falling within the States Of
Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.-They
claimed them, because the war of independence
was carried on with the common blood and
treasure, and the fruits of which should be shared
IN common. virginia ylelueu 10 the claim, ana
by the ordinance of 1887, slavery was excluded
from territory equal to one-third Of the Union,
and the non-slaveholdng States from having one
fifth, was placed in possession Of near six-tenhs
T Of the whole.
The acquisitions from France under the Louis
lana treaty were divided under the Missouri Com
promise, so that the North acquired three fourths
of the whole. Oregon has been appropriated en-
tirely, and the demand is for the whole Pacific
: coast
The result Of these compromises is that exclu-
holder may carry his property is not so extern
sive, it was when the independence Of the
United States was acknowledged. In the same
degree that the power of the Northern States
has increased, has their spirit Of aggression in
creased.
have said, that have been reluctant to admit
any inequality, either directly or by implication; |
agree with you that the Missouri Line secures
only portion of our rights, agree that the adop-