Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-01

was there greater error In no part of the Union
the pulsations of the heart warmer or the ope-
ratons of the intellect more active than among the
people of this State. But from the causes already
assigned our aggregate action is not altogether con-
sstent with these individual characteristics Public
opinion everywhere must have attained certain vol
ume before its action can be felt; and this volume
must be in proportion to the numbers and space up
and within which it is to act. The public senti-
ment of North Carolina, therefore, upon this great
question, is not yet understood abroad-perhaps,
even by great many, not fully understood at home.
1t is important that it should be understood both at
home and abroad, and now is the time to begin its
expression. This expression must begin somewhere
and in some way and know no place or way at and
in which it can better begin than here, in the adop
ton of these resolutions. They embody, believe,
the true sentiments of the people of North Carolina
and it is allmportant that it should be known that
they do. 1t is important to own position among
our sister States 1t will have decided effect on the
controversy now going on. fear some of our South
ern brethren look upon with contemptuous doubt
constituting silence into sordd love for the flesh
pots of Egypt or dastardly fear of the consequent
ces to which an expression of our opinions may lead
These doubts should be dispelled for honor and
for the success of the common cause. fear greatly
too, that the invaders of rights, from the same
causes mpudently calculate that they may count ON
ally III their wicked assaults upon the great
Southern family, and that will be found treacher
Gus to our brethren and our fathers house. This
emboldens them in their diabolcal attempts One
party is disheartencd by the want of confidence in
support the other is encouraged by the belief
that they occupy that strong position of having
cret friend in the camp of the enemy. Nothing,
am persuaded, will tend more to prevent these en-
croachments upon Southern rights which so serious
ly threaten this Union, than a conviction that the
whole South will be found and undivided in main
tanning those rights at every sacrifice.
Men crush the worm, but pause before they wake
The sleeping venom of the folded snake.
North Carolina, for the reasons before given is
more doubted on side, and calculated on by the
other, than any other Southern State Without
meaning to provoke then let her proclaim that she
knows her rights and knowing, will maintain them
Let her boldly unfurl her flag the glorious stripes
and stars of the Union nailed to the flagstaff of the
Constitution. But should that flagstaff be broken
and cast away, let her own original flag as one of
the thirteen independent States that formed that
Constitution, be found waving with the liberty cap
conspicuous thereon, in the place where foated
the torn tattered and dishonored flag of the Union
But Heaven forbid that this event should ever hap
PEN Perhaps it is true that by the administration
Of the General Government the burdens and advanta
ges of the Union have been very unequally distribu
ted. That much larger portion of the revenue, by
an unwise and uni ust system of taxation, has been
collected from the South than from other parts of
the Union, and that by still more unequal expen-
diture of the revenue in the different parts thereof
the South has been impoverished and the other por-
tons of the Union enriched. Besides this we have
contributed more than portion to the wealth of
the Union by great staple productions and more
than proportion to her glory in her 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 unfortunate
What are considerations such as these to the many
advantages the Union has, and we trust will contn-
ne to afford u.s. It is better to enjoy morsel in
peace and security than to have great riches con-
santy exposed to the grasp of the spoler and which
can only be held amid the din of arms and the out
pouring of blood. This peace and security the I'm
ion under the Constitution, has so far afforded u.s.
peace and security we could no longer hope to enjoy
after its dissolution Even among ourselves, strife
would be inevitable. This Union could not be dis
solved without involving long and bloody strife
mong the members composing it. Grant for a mo-
ment that one portion of the States should be will
ling to acquiesce in the quiet secession of another
portion from the Union, what would become of our
vast public domain-of our ornaments and the
countless items composing the public treasure q
Would the seeding States be willing to surrender
all interest in these! Certainly not. The same
considerations of honor and just regard to posterity
which would prompt secession, would also prompt us
to ins::svv carrying with portion of what had
been acquired by the common enterprise, and the
common suffering. But would those claiming to be
adherents to this Union agree to just partition with
us, or to any partition We need not hope it; and
the sword the only earthly arbiter between dsputing
communities would have to record its decision in
blood. Nor would one decision be final. But by
successive appeals this fearful litigation would pro-
badly be protracted through indefinite ages. But
if this not so, there family jewels belong ing
to this great confederacy, which admit of parti
ton. To whom would belong the sacred mementoes
of our Revolutionary Fathers Which of us would
of 1872? And even those yet green and reeking
with the 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 one would be left to appropriate them,
and they would be completely lost as if swallowed
up in the ocean wave.
Who is there either at the North or South that
is willing to see the sponge Of oblivion sweep over
the record that speaks of the gallant dongsthe no.
ly brotherhood--the profound wisdom-the great
moral achievements of the people of the United
States of America! Is the proud distinction of an