The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-06-26

the people Of the Northern and South.
ern States. Here is difference ofc
mate and productions throughout
territory stretching along tho whole Vel,
Of the temperate zone, affecting ,hepur-
suits and characters of.lhe people ipha.
biting il. But the great difference
the oHe.great ditference--li,e greatest
which can exist among people isthe
institution'of slavery. This alone sets
apart the Southern States,as peculiar
people--wi,h Independence 10 their
internal policy, is the condition Of their
existence. They must rule them.
selves, or perish. Every colony in the
world where African slavery existed
with one exception, has been destroyed;
and il this has been the case under the
oldannd effete governments OF Europe,
will it not prevail under the dominion Of
the restless people Of the Northern
States! They do not practically re-
cognise the inicriority Of the African 10
the Caucasian races. They do no, re.
alize, because the circumstances OF
their condition do not compel them 10
realize, the impossibli,y of an amalga-
ton between The races. Exempt from
the institution Of slavery, i, is not sur
prising that their sympa,hics should be
against ns, whilst the dogma OH which
they profess TO build their system Of free
governmenl--thc absolute rule of thc
a,qiority-leuves no barrier 10 their pow.
er in the affairs OF the General Govern
ment, and leads them 10 its consoida.
tion, Religion too false or real-fres
their enthusiasm against an institution,
,,vhica many of lis professors believe 10
be inconsistent with its principles and
preceF,s. To expect forbenrance from
such people, under such circum-
stances, lorards the institution Of slave.
ry, is manlteslly, vain. If they have
been false TO The compact made with us
in the constitution. and have allowed
passion and preiudic. 10 master reason,
they have only exempllEed that frail,y
and fallibili.y ofour nature; Which has
produced the ne cessity of IN, ssf5s srfl.s
nerts, and which, If unchecked, ever
produces wrong. The institution Of
slavery having once entered the popular
mind OF the non-slavcho!ding States, for
action and control, the res, is inevitable.
If unrcs!ralncd by lis, they will 90 on
until African slavery will be swept
from the broad and fertile South. The
nniure ofthings therefore, indcpcndcn,
Of experience. tcachcs US lha, :.crc can
be no safety in submission.
To submit 10 evils, however great,
whilst they are endurablc, is the dispo
silion Of every pcople--cspeciaIly Of an
agricultural people, living apart, and
having no association in their pursuits
but the responsibility of preserving n
tree government rests with nll its mem.
bcrs, whatever may be their pursuits,
and no, alone with those who have the
power or the will to destroy Il. a
minority, by submission, may as much
betray ihc constitution, us n minority by
aggression. The constitution does not
protect majority; for they have all the
powers OF the government, in their hands
and ca>. protect themselves. The linn
itations of a constitution are designed to
protect the minor,y--lhosc who have
no power, against those who have il.
liencc, the great motive and duty Of
sclt.protcction is peculiar TO minority,
independent Of that faith 10 The consii-
tuition which they owe in common with
The majority. They mus, pro,cc, them.
selves and protect the constitution; aud
il they fail in this double duly, they are
at least as culpablc as those who, in
aggresslng upon their rights, overthrow
the constitution. And the public opin
ion of the world is in conformity with
these views. The opprcssor is hated
but the nnrcsislingly oppressed is des.
pissed. More respect follows the tvrant
than the slave who submits to his pow
cr. The Southern States, therefore.
although minority, are not exempt
from The responsibility ofprescrving the
constitution, and, in preserving ii, 10
protect themselves.
In whu, way shall they preserve the
constitution and pro,cc, themselves :
AS general rule, it is undoubtedly
true, that when, in government like
ours n constitution is violated by a
majority, who alone can violate il in
matters of legislation, il canno, be re-
stored 10 It's integrity through The or,Ii.
nary means Of the government for
these means, being under the control OF
The majority, are moi available 10 the
minority. 1t is for this rcasonlhat frc
quent elections of our rulers take place
in our system Of free government, in
order that the people, by their direct
intervention, may change the majority.
But ihls resource cannot avail us in the
violations of the constitution, which now
press and harrass the South. By
changing their representatives, how can
The people OF the South atlec, the ma.
.lority in Congress and restore the con.
slitulon? Their representatives arc
true; and have done all that men can
do, to preserve The constitution from The
nggressionsoflhc majority. Removing
them, and putting other representatives
IN Congress, could have no effect in