The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17
TIL E SOUTHERN PRESS.
SATURDAY. AUGUST II. 1850.
Where the Responsibility really rests.
WASHINGTON CRY.

SATURDAY, AUGUST II. 1850.
Where the Responsibility really rests.
1t is recorded by the historian that the shock
of an earthquake once rolled unheededly away
while two armies contcnded-so rapt were
they in their own STRIFE Asimilar phenomenon
is witnessed here at this moment, in the course
and conduct of the party presses and politicians,
who, in the intensity Of their interest in the Con-
gressional strife, strangely forget that Congress
is not the Country, and seem neither to hear
nor heed the movements of the masses through
out the Southern States, stcrnly significant of
coming perils. The exhibitions of popular feel
ing at the South, are indeed suchAs to awaken
the interest of every true patriot of every one
who desires not to patch up ahollow truce, but to
establish once more the reign of peace and per-
manent tranquility-to settle the existing diff
cultes, not fan the fame of the present danger
Gus discontents.
That such discontents do exist, and that they
have found utterance in most impressive forms
in popular assemblages and associations
throughout the Southern, and particularly the
Southwestern tier of States, can neither be con
cealed nor denied-and it is therefore the part
both Of prudence and of patriotism to listen to
those remonstrances, and devise pcaceablc means
of satisfying that public sentiment SO strongly
proclaimed.
Ours is not, and cannot be made Govern
ment of coercion--and those who resort TO such
stupid threats TO friglten States or citizens into
silence, comprehend neither its character, nor
that of our people, Its frnest foundation is in
the affections of a people who prize it as the
safeguard Of their rights and libertes--who re-
gard It as an ehjecf hot Of serviIe worship, but
81 rational fsspss 4 50 tong rs Il psoaicses fIirsc
obects--but who never have and never will
adopt the doctrine of passive obedience" q
doctrine repudiated even in Great Britain two
centuries ago at the cost of n civil CONFUSION.
The very use of epithets and insolent de-
nunciations tends to increase, not to ailay the
excitement in the public mind; and were the
purposes of this press such rs its enemies and
slanderers pretend, it would seek 10 provoke
en press have poured out upon the heads of all
who have warned the majority of the conse-
quences Of their acts.
Men conscientiously convinced of the Justice
Of their complaints, and of the wrongs inflicted
upon their section and themselves, by course
of legislation which strips them of their prvi-
leges and their property, are not apt to be soft
ened down in their feelings by such fraternal
answers TO their indignant circumstances, as the
cpithcts of TRAITORS" disunionists," "agita-
tors" or by threats Of coercion and the rope
The true disunionists are NOSE who exaspe-
rate anger into implacablc indignation and who
seek TO intimidate, where they vell know they
must fail to convince. The greatest peril that
can menace any country arises from the sup
preston Of the voice Of protest-from &oth-
cred Indignation, smouldering in secret until it
bursts forth a consuming flame.
There has been nothing stealthy, nothing Sc
cret in the action Of these slandered "agitators;n
they have almost exhausted the language Of
warning and Of remonstrance; and il it has
not theirs. No sane man seeks disunion as
matter Of first choice, but only suggests il nsa
last resort, when Southern rights and honor
shall fail TO command the security which the
Constitution in its purity affords and it is in
deed a most stupid libel on the intelligence Of
the public, TO assert that this press was estab-
lished for such purpose, or has sought to hasten
such catastrophe.
Its whole effort since its establishment, has
been to secure to the South the simple acknowl-
edgcment of those rights, the withholding of
which has alone caused the excitement there
and the hope was entertained, and has not vet
been abandoned, that full knowledge of South
ern feeling and of Southern movements on this
great question, would tend to force upon the
minds of the Northern majority the conviction
that if they really desired to preserve the Union.
and with it fraternal concord, that it must be
effected by adherence to the Constitution--not
by overbearing arrogance, and threatened coer-
cion The temper and feeling of the Southern
people at the present time is best shown in the
'NNS'N VI H"piN uiCtbhBS, WHICH, dS hli ds
our space permitted, we have laid before the pub
lie and in the obliteration of old party differ
ences, and old party lines which they prove-for
in Georgia and other Southern States, we find
leading men acting in concert on this question,
whose whole previous policy has been directly
autagonistical.
Every Southern mail now comes ircighted
with such manifestations of popular sentiment;
and the politicians who cannot see the dangers
brewing, must indeed be smittcn with judicial
blindness, and he who does see them and fears
to give the warning is the real traitor
The solemn appeal Of Senator DAVIS, of
Mississippi to the Senate, and the stern warn
Jog Of Senator CLEMENS to t.ie same body,