The southern press., 1850-11-01
The True Policy.

adopted bya portion OF the Southern press, and
the vain hopes of cancellation and compromise
which it has continued to hold out while the
march of aggression goes steadily on. The
only stand made in defence of Southern rights,
and which extorted even a show of compromise
from the Northern assailants has been made by
the slandered aagitators," exposed to fire in
front from the North, and to fire in the rear
from its Southern sympathisers. Not content
with refusing to cooperate with the Spartan
majority of the Southern delegation, who, in the
face of oboquy and slander breasted the torrent
of sectional and partisan fanatcism-not salts
fled with remaining passive, some of the South
ern compromisers have strenuously endeayored
to class the Free-soilers and the "Ultras" to-
gether, as equally dangerous and destructive
thas giving the most effectual aid and comfort
to the enemy. ......
Nor have they desisted from waging this war
upon their own natural allies noac, when the
results of their folly have exhibited themselves,
and proven beyond the possibility of doubt the
fatal error into which they were deluded and
duped by the cry of Compromise-but still in
the face of facts-n despite of reason of patriot
ism, and of the instinct of self lfpresevaton--they
obstinately shut their eyes to the light, and de-
nounce all who will not consent to aid them in
keeping the people also n'the dark.
We admit that it is a hard thing for men to
confess that they have pursued the wrong course,
to retrace their steps, and follow the paths
which they have abused others for pursuing !;
yet, the pride Of opinion should yield to convc-
ton, and duty command the sacrifice of selfish
ness on the altar of'patriotism. An honest error
may be forgiven even by those who have suffered
from its consequences, but an obstinate persist
ence in it, even after it has been plainly exposed
is an offence which demands and will meet a
heavy eEpiation.
So long as the Compromise measures were
pending, and even a hope of some little good
resulting from them, by the purchase Of paciiica-
ton at the price of all the interest of the South
in the common territory, could be induged in
there may have been the shadow of an apology
| for the timid and desponding to lean on that
broken reed, and hoping against hope, counsel
acquiesccnce. But noao, to insult is added
injury foul outrage to wrong and robbery
perpetrated under the forms of legislation, and
the very consideration claimed for the sacrifice
of Southern rights and honor is scornfully re-
fused and repudiated by the North.
Nop Mob Law rules supreme in the North,
trampling under foot, not only the Constitu-
ton, but the rights of our citizens under
the common law-robbery and murder are pro-
claimed from the pulpit as religious duties
and the conscience" of the Northern kuave or
fanatic is "a higher law" than any other Noao
the master seeking his property is hunted fug-
tive in the highways of the most refined and po-
pulous city of the Northeast-and Abolition
vaunts it's triumphant appropriation of all the
new acquisitions, and its fell purpose of re-
enacting the scenes of Saint Domingo at the
South.
When such have been the first fruits of his so
called compromise" that any Southern man
should still dare to pipe songs of peace, and
preach patience, forbearance and moderation"
argues either the blindest fatuity the most in
trepid obstinacy, that ever the world has wit
messed. But when they even overstep the
limits of defence, and assail all who will not
throw charitable veil over these repeated out
RACES and aggressions-who refuse to fiddle
while the house is burning, and like faithful
sentinels, warn their friends and brethren of the
rapid spread of the conHagration, whose urid
glare lights up the whole horizon-wheD, we
repeat, they seek to silence the watchmen on
whose vigilance the safety of Southern homes
depends, they place themselves in an attitude
which it is difficult either to pity or to pardon.
Is this n time to be singing the strains of
party-or to be piping pacifcaton under the au-
spices of factions, both of which seem vieing
which can first secure and then sell the South to
the Free-soil fanaticism? Or is it not wiser to
initiate the example of Ulysses, who stopped
with wax the ears of his mariners, that they
might safely sail past the isle of the Sirens
lashing himself securely to the mast of his own
ship, the while.
The taunts, the threats, the acts of the North,
inspire indignation and defiance in the heart of
the true Southerner: but it sckens his soul to
witness the eff Jrts to fan the embers of party
strife at home, amidst those who are and should
act like brethren, and whose all is centred in the
common triumph Of common cause.
Sad is the reflection that there should be Bit
terness and contention, where concord union
and harmony should prevail, in our own house.
hold-and the Southern movement be impeded
by the arms of some Of h sons. Whatever
may be the motive which prompts such efforts,
the effect is not the less disastrous to the per-
manent peace of the whole country. Divisions
and distractions within our own camp embolden
, would recoil and retreat from the assault--but
who raises the rallying cry of party and sows
the seeds of mutual distrust, that he may divide
and conquer. Against any foreign foe the
South would be united, but our enemies claim
TO be brethren, and seek to serve us even as