The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-07

must owe its origin to some other cause than sud
den increase in the spirit of enterprise the part
OF foreign shippers to this port.
But 1t would be great error to suppose that in
either OF the above terms the value of the goods inn
ported here for foreign account as shown by the
above statements, Appropriated to the value Of the
importations actually belonging to foreigners. The
relative increase may possibly be shown, but it is
well known that we have among us many houses,
branches of establishments abroad, and who being
measurably interested in the importations which
they enter at our custom houses, enter them
owners, thus placing them on the record as Ameri-
can importatons, and rendering it impossible to
ascertain what interest in them belongs abroad.
The Southern Quarterly" an Organ of
Disunion.
We regret that the Southern Quarterly has
embarked in the agitation that disturbs the
country. The unhappy controversy which di-
vides US may more appropriately be conducted
by the political journals of the day. In these,
discussions can be carried on, facts stated on
both sides, and more just estimate formed of
the merits Of measure, than in the exclusive
pages of party Review. These works are
published in sections, interpolated with all that
may strengthen the view of the advocate, or all
that may give force to the argument of the enc
my OpilllOH 10 luiAiiIlidlCu WIN
absolutism which tolerates no dissent, and ad-
mits no refutation. Reviews have been al
ways unsafe schools for the formation of opin-
ion, even when they have been avowedly polit-
ical or polemica in their character. But when
a periodical, established, like the Quarterly,
for the ostensible purpose of promoting the
cause of literature, descends TO participate in
party or sectional strife; when professors adjust
their gold perfocals to level the artillery of dis
union, or calculate with scientific precision the
explosive force of political projectiles-it can
not be expected that they can pass entirely
without apprehension. The last number of the
Southern Quarterly contains series Of arti-
cles, in our opinion, inconsistent with the char
acter of literary, critical or impartial work.
/. They violently assail the Union of the
States.
2. They misrepresent and condemn the poll
cy Of the Wing party.
3. They advocate the doctrines Of the CAL
HoUN or Abstraction party.
An article headed Southern Convention"
embodies all Of the pemicious fallacies to which
we have adverted. 1t is introduced by pre-
face which, after the manner Of GIDEON, ac-
counts for the decline Of all the powerful ma
tons Of antiquity. 1t properly regards morali-
ty and justice as the only principles upon which
any nation can permanently prosper. 1t traces
an allegorical resemblance between the chosen
people Of the Almighty and the most favored
nations Of modern times. 1t pronounces the
inevitable decree upon all who feel power and
forget right. 1t enforces this denunciation by
the usual examples drawn from ancient history;
and, as a corollary, pronounces the Northern
States Of the Union ga doomed people"
Now, we agree with the reviewer, perfectly,
that disregard Of law, human OF divine, OF the
arrogant recklessness Of conscious power, will
ultimately bring destruction upon any nation.
We agree that when the purposes Of a govern
ment are only restrained by its power TO accom-
plish them; when it is sustained in any measure
of national aggrandizement, because Of the ma
tional advantages to be anticipated; we admit
that the tendencies Of such a policy are to de-
stroy the nation itself
Let us try this reviewer by tho principles
which he has himself laid down. We under
stand him TO approve Of the annexation Of
Texas, which he terms can alliance Of the
South with kindred people"--he condemns
the North for toiling 10 defeat annexation. We
see that the reviewer has been a Locofoco; be-
cause he commends the administration Of Mr..
Polk as "singularly brilliant as any by which
il had been preceded;" whilst kNDRrw JAcK-
SON bears "clarum ct venerable nomen," albeit
+" he has occasionally waged war upon the Con-
stitution and the rights Of the South" Now,
with these favorable opinions Of Locofoco states
men, can this moralist forget that the aggres-
sive policy which he 30 pungently denounces on
pinated in the annexation of Texas and the Mex
lean war7 Has he not in terms asserted that
this powerful and INSCRIPTIONS North ''toiled
strenuously to defeat" the one2 Has he not de-
monstrated that the South is somewhat respon-
sible for the other, when he asserts that "the
volunteers from the South numbered twice as
many as those from the free StaiosW Has
he net proven that this lust of domination and
abuse Of power originated under the administra-
ton Of Southern Locofoco Presidentsl The
only answer to this is, that the annexation Of
Texas was no acquisition Of territory, and the
war with Mexico was not conquest, by pow
erful nation Of one which was weak and dis
tracted. But when the reviewer laments the
evil examples Of Greece, Rome, Egypt, and
Persia, let him remember that the pernicious