Democratic banner., 1850-03-11

Benton IN this State, are engageu III
Idisunion. The charge is ungenerous, and the
term revolving to our senses. Has the freedom
of speech become so prostituted that a freeman
cannot utter a word of condemnation against an
unjust and ubiquitous measure, without SUBJECT
ling himselfto the Charge of being a disunionistT
Tor is this "wolf howl" to be held in terror over
Igood men, TO seal their lips and silence the voice
of indignation against wrong and injustice9 IT
so, OUR boated liberties are bnt "sound and fury
signifying naught." The Union was establish
ed to secure these rights, and its virtue is lost
when they are destroyed.
We do not pretend to sanction every thing
THAT is said and done By Southern statesmen, but
lis it not strange the wrongs Of the North, violat-
ling the Constitution as they do, should he over
Hooked BY men claiming to be dispassionate, and
1.-The South condemned and abused for acting on
the defensive? It is a well known fact the pro-
visions of the constitution, in regard to the re-
capture of fugitive slaves, have been rendered
null and void by the Legislative and judicial ac-
tion of many of the non-slaveholding States
thus violating the supreme law Of the land, and
trampling under foot the rights and security
which originally induced the South to enter the
Union-but when the independentrepresentaiive
from that section, the elected guardian Of their
Interests, tells them that he too has rights under
the constitution, that their acts of injustice have
violated that instrument and virtually dissolved
THE bond Of union, exhorts them TO desist from
their mad career and restore to his constituents
THE protection guaranteed to them by the original
compact, the aggressor is called the opPoser, and
the opposer is called a ''traitor."
When he says the Union is dissolved by the
acts of others, does he declare for . separation,
or avow himself in favor of disunion? He tells
us that his people love the Union and her insti-
buttons. To prove this, he points to their deeds
|of valor on the battle field, and their sacrifices
flor the good Of our common country. He exhib-
Its 10 US their jealous devotion TO its advance
ment and prosperity, and assures us that wrong
and oppression, can alone change their feelings.
, When petitions are presented for a dissolu-
lItion of the Union, do Southern men vote TO re-
%ceive them? They turn from them with dis
gust, and cave their glory and shame TO Hale,
,ISewsrd and Chase, to Wilmot, Roo. aud Gid
dings.
! Northern church ministers refuse to mmun
Idenounce US as criminals, and political associa-
|tions declare US unworthy Of connection with
lIthem. Yet all this must be taken with passive
obedience and a spirit Of non-resistance. Men
lin our own midst regard it with cool Indifference
land praise the authors Of mischief, the real enc
mics Of the country, US devoted patriots and low
Iers Of the Union.
! We point out these things in deep regret, hot
,Ifor the purpose Of arraying sectional feeling,
(which we deprecate, but 10 correct il possible
THAT morbid feeling which 10 dead 10 the wrongs
of the North, and sensitive TO the imagined errors
Iof the South. II individuals would cease TO
tltrouble their brains about disunion and set them
selves to work for the arrest Of fanaticism, in or
Ider to remove the unfortunate cause of their ap-
,|prehension, they might save to themselves
I%groundless fears and aid to queli much IN
necessary excitement.
Before closing, we will take occasion TO
say that if Buffalo will read the Southern
elAddress for himself, he will cease to re-
gard it as asserting any ~"prineiPle" in ia.
rIvor of disunion; and, divesting his mind of
prejudice, he will never again assert that
the "Jackson resolutions pledged this State
to cooperate with the South in carrying
out that "prineiple"-that is, disuniOn.-
The individuals who advocate these mea.
sures have given as many evidences Of
their attachment to the Union as "Col. Ben
ton and his friends" They claim to be as
patriotic and think their measures best cal
; culated to secure that object. They oppose
}, all measures tending to interrupt the friend
ly relations of the States, and refuse to sur
render principle at the bidding Of bloated
ambition.
Iz-The meeting in Warren recommended
sWsrrsnton, as q suitable place for holding
the Congressional Convention in this dis
itrict. II is true that Warrenton is near the
centre of the District, and we feel assured
THAT the Inequalities other citizens would
be a source Of pleasure to- the delegates
f|but would not st. Charles be a more &C.