The southern press., 1850-11-04


ey-We referred the other day, to the re-
newed threats, promises, professions, pledges
and resolutions of resistance, by the submis-
sionists of the border rslaveholding States in case
the Fugitive slave law is repealed or materially
modified. We declared we had no confidence
in them, and warned the cotton States not to be
again deceived. And we said that as the right
Of Fugitive slave reclamation affected the border
States chiefly, they could not expect union Of
the other Southern States in defence of it, whilst
deselting the territorial rights of the South.
The Washington Union makes the following
commentary:
We most respectfully and earnestly put the
question to the coed people OF Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, II they
cotton-in with the Press) and even South Caro-
lima. do you intend to desert the other Southern
slave States? Do you intend to abandon the
support of the same cause? Do you yield up the
FuGtiye slave law, which is of such vital moment
to them. and contemplate the formation OF new
league. founded on a cotton basis We know
full well they would answer, No--indignantly,
No--and that he who imputes such reasonable
and unmanly conduct to them blackens their
name with the foulest calumny.
And we most respectfully and earnestly put
the question to the good people of Maryland,
Delaware, Kentucky, and Missouri, if they back
out with the Washington Union, and even Vir-
ginia, do you intend to desert the other South
ern States? Do you intend to abandon the
support of the same cause? Do you yield up
the territories, which are Of such vital mo-
ment to them, and contemplate the formation of
a league with the North on the party basis =
We hope full well they will answer no-indg-
nantly no-and that he who counsels such trea-
sonabie and unmanly conduct for them, insults
their character with the foulest indignity.
But if now, in this age of compromise and
submission, it shonld so turn out that there is
desire to use the cotton States by the border
States to pull their chestnuts out of the fire,
and then to turn round, as the monkey did to
the cat, and tell the cotton States that is all
they are good for, we fancy the latter will an
swer no-indignantly no! ...a.-
The game recently played in Congress has
failed 1t was thought by the cunning per-
formers that the peculiar interest of the border
States could be secured by abandoning the gen.
eral rights of the South. The votes of the
cotton States were readily and honestly given
for the border rights, but when it came to the
territorial rights, where all Were concerned, and
the cotton States especially, the Representatives
of the border States, except majority Of the
Virginia delegation, deserted.
Now it turns out that the rights Of the border
States are most in jeopardy, and the patriots
who counselled the desertion, are calling out lus-
tily on those they betrayed for succor. And
now the cotton States are called on to resist
to dissolve this glorious Union if one Southern
right is invaded, and that the least important,
when they have been denounced as madmen and
traitors for declaring their purpose to resist even
unto secessioE-for all. ..,....... .
We shall unite in no such movement as is
now proposed by the submissionists. First, be-
cause we would not dissolve this glorious Union
for all the fugitive slave laws now or here
after on the statute book. Second, because
we have no faith in the promises or pledges of
the submissionists. We would expect to see
repeated the same game of bluster and back-out
we would expect to see the same men who
now talk so vaiantly, and-treasonably, we be-
lieve is the word-the foremost to pass over
to the enemy with compromise, with submission,
with rejoicing, and with denunciations of those
whom they had deserted to whom they had
pledged their faith in the most public, solemn
and official manner .,.. .......
We don't want to see the Federal army and
navy eannonading great cities in the North to
recover fugitive slaves. Nor do we want to see
that force employed in the slaughter of the
people of Southern State, for the simple exer-
else of the right through their constituted au-
thorities of altering their government, and sepa-
rating from political connection which they
believe fatal to their rights. We are for no such
vulgar futile, and barbarous government.
When government cannot be maintained
without such agents, let it be amended or altered
In this day of progress of liberty, Of reason here
is an occasion to manifest them. ..
The editor of the Union says he would like to
know whether we speak by authority. We ask
by what authority does he speak? ar..a ..s
e A friend who has just returned from the
Eastern States, where he has been spending
several weeks, informs us that the reports from
that section, so far from being exaggerations
have not conveyed half the truth.
He states that the excitement on the subject
of the Fugitive Slave bill is unparalleled, and
the determination to resist it almost universal
among all classes of the population, especially
in Massachusetts, f@.' ......
In New Bedford alone eight hundred run
aways are congregated, and arc openly counten-
anced and sustained by the people. Sympa-
thizing meetings have been held, and the most
respectable citizens do not hesitate to counsel
them to remain and resist, with assurances of