The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-03-27
"Men crush the worm, but pause before they wake
The sleeping venom of the folded snake."

North Carolina for the reasons before given s more
doubted one side, and calculated by the other
than any other Southern State. Without meaning tc
provoke then, let her proclaim that she knows hel
rights, and knowing, will maintain them. Let he1
boldly unfurl her flag. the glorious stripes and
of the Union, nailed to the flagstaff of the Consti-
tuition. But should that flagstaff be broken and cas-
away, lei her own original flag. as of thirteen in
found waving with the liberty cap conspicuous there
on. in the place where foated the torn tattered and
dishonored flag of the Union. But Heaven forbid
that this event should ever happen! Perhaps it is
true that by the administration of the General Gov.
eminent burdens and advantages of the Union have
been very unequally distributed; that much larger
portion of the revenue, by unwise and unjust sys
tenn OF taxation, has been collected from the south than
from other parts of the Union, and that by still
unequal expenditure of the in the different
parts thereof, the South has been impoverished, and
the other portions of the Union enriched. Besides
this, have contributed more than our portion to
the wealth Of the Union by great staple produc-
tons, and more than portion to her glory in heI
achievements in arms. But grant that, in these things
injustice may have been done u.s. and that it is likely
we WILL through all time TO come, be equally unfor-
tunate. what are considerations such as these, to
the many advantages the Union has, and we trust
will continue to afford US 1t is better to enjoy
in peace and security, than to have great riches
constantly exposed to the grasp of the spoiler, and
which only be held amid the din Of arms and the
outpouring Of blood. This peace and security the
Union, under the constitution. has SO far afforded US.
peace and security we could no longer hope to
joy after its dissolution. Even among ourselves,
strife would be inevitable. This Union could not be
dissolved without involving long and bloody strife
among the members composing it. Grant for a mo-
ment. that one portion Of the States should be willing
to acquiesce in the quiet secession of another portion
from the Union, what would become of our vast
domain-of our armaments, and the countless items
composing the public treasure! Would the seeding
he rayil1S
Certainly not The same considerations of honor and
just regard to posteriy which would prompt seces-
sion, would also prompt to insist carrying with
US portion of what had been acquired by the COM
mon suffering. But would those claiming to be ad.
herents to this Union, agree to just partion! We
need not hope and The sword, the only earthly ar
bitter between disputng communities, would have to
record its decision in blood. Nor would decision
he final; but by successive appeals, this fearful lit
igation would probably be protacted Though indef
mite ages But if this were not so there are family
jewels belonging to this great confederacy, which ad
nit Of no partition. To whom would belong the sa-
cred mementoes of urRevolutionary Fathers! Which
Of Us would inherit the impershabe laurels gathered
in the war of 1879. And even those yet green and
reeking with tho blood of vaorous sons, lately
won in the campaign in Mexico, would have no Just
claimants.
All these national trophies would cease to be of
value for no would be left to appropriate them,
and they would be completely lost if swallowed
up in the ocean wave.
Who is there, either at tho north south, that is
willing to soc the sponge of oblivion sweep over the
record that speaks Of the gallant doings-the holy
brotherhood-the profound wisdom-the great moral
achievements of the people of the United States of
America! Is the proud distinction of an American
citizen to be forever lost-tfat name which is now
a passport of honor to him who bears it in any of
tho four quarters Of the globe! When the people of
this land 60 abroad, that is the title BY which they
desire to be known. We may boast among ourselves
of being Virginian, Caronian, Georgian, a
New Yorker, Pennsylvania, native or inhabitant
of this or that State. But abroad these respective
States are scarcely heard of-they are unknown to
fame, while the most ignorant among men would
blush to own that he knew not the fame of the Unit
ed States of America, or that her flag waved among
the Proudest of the proud Of the nations of the EARTH
Yes, the title of American citizen is more honor
able now than that of Roman in the ancient days.
Even the great Apostle, ST. Paul, was not insen-
sbe to earthly pride, not to value the title of the
Roman citizen and when one spoke in his presence
of having purchased that HONOR he somewhat boast
fully replied, "but / free born" And SO,
wherever an American citizen may go-whatever
may be the boastfu titles claimed even by the
bles of the earth; he may lift up his head among
them and exclam, "b but was free born-1 am an
American citizen" But dissolve the Union. and
witt it that charm will also be dissolved. Are not
these considerations (and the half has not been tod
sufficient to induce every sound head and honest
heart to pray for the perPetuity of this Union And
who desires its dissolution? Not we Of the South,
for ardent love for it has enabled to bear much
very much. At first we were annoyed by the out
cries of religious fanatacism against institution in
terwoven with the very texture of existence and
while pitied the short-sighted folly of those fan
atics. and felt under the descriptions of moral in-
fanny they were disposed to heap upon US, we could
not but respect the motives that prompted them.
Religious fanaticism may do much mischief-it may
involve whole nations in moral confagration, but
the spark that kinded it came from Heaven; and
while we mourn over the consequences, we cannot
but respect the source from whence they proceed.
But from different source does danger now threat
en- The lust of civil power, and the desire of
political triumph are the impulses that prompt
these attacks upon our property-onr peace-and our
domestic quiet. The religious fanatics are but as
torchbearers for the political ncendiares, and only
here and there in the anti-slavery ranks is found
bosom burning with religious zeal, while the fires of
hell itself warm the hearts of the masses of those
who constitute the ant-slavery army at the north.
1t is time, then, that we should speak; it is time
that We should warn one another, ere we find our
selves entirely surrounded, that cannot escape,
and closely pressed upon by the foe, that arms
cannot be welded to advantage. Political strategy
is as dangerous as the strategy Of war; and there is
your adversary, and it 10 the part Of wsdOn to act
before that period arrives. Must we wait until eve
~ post has been seized by the enemy, and nothing
is left us but to surrender at discretion, fight at
disadvantage! But by taking our position in time,
within the yet unshaken rtressof the Constitution,
and manfaly defending it against the first encroach-
menis Of the foe. we may be able preserve both
and ourselves. Ii We must PERISH let US perish ur,-
der its ruins. TO give it up, OF to suffer one frag-
ent Of it to be destroyed without resistance, is ihe
most certain way to consummate that dis0nipn that
we 90 much dread. Il 10 to cry loud against en-
croachuents upon the Constitution, and to declare
our dissemination at every hazard 10 maintain it, that
we meet, and not for the purpose Of plotting against