The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-09

IF Texas, or Government have interfered 10 pro
ect that Territory, alternatives 10 be deprecated
by every American who respects the Constitution
and loves justice. There was dictation in the
offer made to Texas II not made by the Pre-
,ident but by law OF Congress, and If Texas vui-
1ntary chooses TO compound doubtful title and
70 accept the offer made her, surely there is
Tor calling her hard names and applying to such
people abusive epithets.
The next subject comp planned of is the abolition Of
The slave trade IN the District OF Columbia and this
measure 10 characterized as advancing abolition,
For my own part, think the have 80 Of
ten witnessed in Washing ton, and 30 often heard
severely blamed by both Northern and Southern
men, tended much more to advance abolition than
the passage of this law.
Ii is certainly 10 be lamcntcd that the balance Of
power between the slave and free States could
not have been maintained in the Senate. We
have struggled Tor IL in vain. 1t is with States
with indivdusls-equalIty OF strength or of for
tune cannot be maintained by either; but this is
no legitimate cause OF strife or revolution And
yet we told that the remedy Of these evils ia
TO be sought for iii revolution; for what is
ion but revolution Is the right of secession to
be found in the Constitution? 1t existed, grant,
under the old Coniederacy, for that a
league; but the Constitution was framed and
adopted, after solemn dcberation, TO form a more
perfect union the States the first time
heard of the right of secession during the pro-
ceedings OF the Hartford Convention and at that
period no people received the doctrine with more
indignation and contempt than ourselves In fact,
II any state possessed the power TO secede from
The Union whenever IT thought proper to do 30,
our Constitution would be a mockery, and
ooasted strength as "a great and powerful
ZION would be despised by foreign powers 1t
is true, if Virginia, North Carolina. Tennes-
see, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana.
Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, were to form
Confederacy and agree to secede. there might be
no opposition for time. But many of those States
form but the entrance and portico to the great edi
fee reared in the West How long would the inhab-
"a,
they must suffer- their ingress and egress in
the hands of foreigners? Would they permit Louis
lana TO be the ally of some maritime power, that
might occupy New Orleans, and harass the internal
commerce of the Mississippi valley? think not. No
line can be drawn that will not involve questions of
boundary and right, only to be settled by the last
appeal; and this country would soon exhibit the mi
SCRABBLE aspect Of the Spanish American States. Be-
sides, such "a contederacy would present no barrier
against the attacks of the Aboionsts of all the
world. The sympathies Of civilized Europe are
against our institutions, and they be not protected
by the Constitution and the much despsed Union,
our slaves would not be worth ten years purchase In
such confederacy, how many causes of discomfort
would occur? How could We with our habits of eter-
nal agitation, be satisfied with our station in it, Our
relative Importance in the southern confederacy
would diminish every year unless We could change
our habits altogether, and instead of devotng all
our energies to political agitation as we have
done for the last twenty years, turn our minds
to the promotion OF commerce, manufactures, and
easy communications by land and water from
the interior to the coast. But, under the lead
Of South Carolina such Confederacy will never
be formed. We unfortunately not renown-
ed for our wisdom or prudence, and our invita-
tons and our aunts will be alike in vain to drive
sister States into measures of violence for
the past. What the future may bring forth,
time will show. But | warn the Northern men,
who love their country and desire to preserve the
Union, that they must restrain their own agitators;
men, whom my own self respect prevents ME from
characterizing as they deserve; men, who are not
fanatics but political demagogue5 Of the worst de-
scription using thefr money and abusing their tai
ents TO deceive and seduce the people, and who
would not hesitate TO elevate themselves to power
over the reeking ruins of their country. The op-
position commenced under my own eyes to the ina-
nous Vaccinations OF these men must be continued
by the united efforts of the good and true of all
parties and the Constitution will be safe and the
Union preserved.
Ii there any among wild to think of
separate State action, to them would say that they
mistake violence for strength. Let them examine
the map and consult the census, and they will see
our relative weakness, and understand with what
ease South Carolina might be prevented from in
hicting any injury except upon herself. But will
not pursue this Illuminating theme-it is improba-
BILE that such ameasure will be rceorted to- Ii would
be as absurd for one to throw himself from pre-
cipcc in the expectation OF iniuring his enemy by
the fall
Fellow citizens, my task is done. felt impelled
to address you friend and brother, by the inte-
rests have at stake in this question; by my zeal for
the honor and welfare of my native State; by the
long experience | have had of the fearful conse-
9uences of revolution, and by my devotion to the
Union, to which, under Heaven, believe we owe
our unexampled prosperity a nation.
J. X. POINSETT.
CHARLESTON, Dec. 4, 1850.