The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-13


We have not mentioned South Carolina be-
cause there can now be little doubt che will Sc
cede from the Union, alone If not joined by
other States-by Mississippi particularly, for
the decision of whose Convention it is to be
hoped South Carolina will wait.
The probability Of this event gives at once
great practical importance to another principle
the right of secession. When South Carolina
secedes it will be at once to be decided whether
she retires in peace or whether the country is to
be rent by civil war, and stained BY fraternal
blood. 1t will be the peculiar duty and interest
Of the other Southern States to preserve the
peace; and nothing will enable them to do that
more etfectually than to have their utmost power
and share i'll the next Presidential election. We
believe that the Southern States will be unani.
nous in favor of the right of secession or at
least of the policy of peaceful secession. In
Kentucky to " hich Mr.. CLAYs Incorporate and
infatuated language last session has impaired a
ferocious aspect, we are happy to see that the
leading papers Of both parties, the Louisville
!
the one in favor of the right, the other Of the
policy of peaceful secession. We subjoin their
articles.
As for the other principles of the Southern
party, they are indemnity for the past and Sc
curity for the future-perpetual hostility to the
principles of the late compromise, and the exer-
lion of all power, the use of every opportunity
TO repeal, redress and countcract the odious fea-
lures of that scheme.
The Southern party is already powerful in its
principles, its talent its number, its wealth and
its organization.
We have seen how faction of fanatics have
acquired in short time the control of Northern
policy and power. If such faction with a
chimera for its object, and self.destruction for
its result, can achieve so much, what may not a
party accomplish, contending for the preserva-
ton of the most successful, the most progress.
sive, and the most brilliant system of society
and civilization on record-a system which over
spreads the most precious of climes and soil on
the land, and controls the richest of the com
modties that commerce floats on the sea.
From the Louisville (Ky.) Democrat.
GIVING IT uP.-"If South Carolina wishes to
secede, we hope she will be permitted to do so
without molestation. Her secession would I'M
doubtedly subject the country to good deal of
Inconvenience, but in our opinion, not enough
to render resort to military force eXpedient.-
| Let her 90 out of the Union and stay out Just
as long as she likes After while she will
come back-if permitted to do Sol wiser and
better State. "-Louisp. Journal,
Here IS triumph of common sense over an
impracticabe theory. When particular case
presents itself, the folly of an attempt to carry
out the theory is apparent. Let this sentimen,
become the current one. Grant to the State of
South Carolina the right to sccede, and no Sc
cession will take place The reason for seces-
sion will be answered.
What startles Southern approximations is, that
there are no limits TO the power of dominan,
sectional majority in Congress, that they may
in the course of time, undertake to control thcS
relations Of the white and black race in the slave
States, in spite of the people Of those States
Hand over to them the shield against aggression
the right of secession-and the South is
Quoted, for, in the first place. this dominant ma
jority will take very good care to avoid sectional
questions and If they are reckless enough to
plunge into them, the minority will have an eff
tectual shield against their action.
Having gone thus far, the editor of the Jour
nal must allow that the President and the Fed.
eral authorities are under no constitutional obi
cations to employ force to reduce a State to
submission. We should like to see the States
come to fair understanding upon this point.
We believe it the very best security against Sc
cession to allow the right in the very framework
Of cur Federal relations. The considerations
in favor of the Union are too great to be over
balanced by any Inconvenience likely to be ex
perienced. If secession were proposed, and no
compusion pretended to prevent it, there would
be no room for appeals to passion or patriotism,
or the spirit of resistance, to nfatne the minds
of men. 1t would be mere businesslik op-
Grafton. Whilst all the glorics of a common
Union and its recollections would be OF the other
side, even more potent than ever.
We hope the editor Of the Journal, now vir.
tuallyr light in the main, will also be right in de-
tails A voluntary Union-nothing else This
is our glory. Let it be the motto Of every pa
triot in the land.