The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-25


Z men communicate will, the world, sor with
each other, upon their ownspeculiar inter-
ests' So far from writing, or permitting
anything to be written, which is calculated
to defend the rights Of the South, OF state its
case, the papers here are engaged in luing
4 the South into false security, and ia man
Eufacturing there an artificial public sentiment,
suitable for some Presidential platform,
though al the expense Of any and every in
ltesest you may possess, no matter how dear
Tor how vital and momentous.
i This state OF things results from party OBJ
legations and regard 70 party success And
they but subserve the ends Of their estab-
Iishment in consulting their own interests,
and the advancement Of the party to which
Ithey are pledged. You cannot look to them
as sentines over interests that are repugnant
to the feelings of the majority Of the self
sustaining paity.
IN the Federal Legislature the South has
some voice and some votes; but over the pub
! lie press, as it now stands at the Seat OF
Government, the North has controlling in
huence. The press OF this city takes it,
tone from that OF the North. Even out
Southern press is subjected, more OF less, to
I the same influence Our public men, yes,
our southern men, owe their public standing
and reputation too often to The commentator
and praise of the Northern press. Southern
newspapers republish from their respective
! party organs IN this city, and in 50 do
ing, eproduce--unconsciou doubtless, IN
most instances, Of the wrong they do--the
northern opinion in regard to public men
and measures How dangerous such state
Of things must be to the fidelity Of your re-
representatives. it is needless to say! They
are but men, and itwould be unwise 70 sup
pose that they are beyond the reach of temp
tations which influence the rest Of mankind.
Fellow-citzens, it rests with ourselves to
alter this state Of things, SO far as the South
is concerted. We have vast interests, which
we are bound, by many considerations, to.
defend with all the moral and political means
in our power. One Of the first steps to this
great end is to establish a Southern Organ
here, a paper through which we may COM
mune with one another and the world at
large. We do not propose to NEEDLE with
political parties as they now exist; we wish
to cnlist every southern man in a southern
cause, and in defence of southern rights, be
he Wing or be he Democrat We do not
propose to disturb him, or to shake him in
his party relations. All that we ask is, that
he shall consider the constitutional rights Of
the South, which are involved in the great
abolition movement, as paramount to all
party and all other political considerations.
And surely, the time has come when all
southern men should unite for the purpose Of
sef-detence. Our relative power in the
Legislature OF the Union is diminishing with
every census; the dangers which menace us
are daily becoming greater; and, the chief in
stlument in the assaults upon US is the public
press, over which, owing to our supineness, the
North exercises a controlling influence. So
lar as the South is concerned, we can change
aad reverse this state Of things. 1t is not
to be borne, that public sentimental the South
should be stiiled or controlled by the party
press. .a..g
bet US have a press Of our own, as the
North has, both here ard at home-a press
which shall be devoted to Southern rights,
and animated By Southern feeling which
shall look not to the North but Tie South for
the tone which is to pervade it. Claiming
our share of rover in Federal Legislation, lei
US also claim our share Of influence in the
press Of the country. Let US organize in
every Southern town and county, so as to |
send this paper into every house in the land |
Let US take, too, all the means necessary to
maintain the paper BY subscription, so as TO
increase its circulation, and promte the
spread of knowledge and truth. Let every
portion of the South furnish its full quota OF
talent and money TO sustain paper which
ought to be supported by all, because it viii
be devoted to the interest of every Southern
man. 1t will be the earnest effort Of the
committee who are charged with these ar
engagements, to procure editors of high talent
and standing; and they viii also see that the
paper is conducted without opposition, and
without reference to the political parties Of
the day. With these assurances, we feel
justified in calling upon you, the people Of
the Southern States-to make the necessary
efforts to establish and maintain the proposed
paper.
@ A. p. BUTLER,
..E JACKSON MORTON,
.."s. r.. TOOMBS,
3. ...'.. j. THOMPSON.