The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-12
Adherence to the Union.

we tdhC TIC ioioWlHS dIuClc IIOiu Tie
New Orleans Picayune of the Sd instant,
and believe it is but fair exposition of the
feeling which animates large majority of
the people of the South. Little did the wri-
ter imagine, we think, that almost ere his
ink should dry such extreme opinions would
be put forth at this capital as those con-
tanned in the speech of Mr.. CALHOUN:
"THE UNIoN-IT MUST pREsERvEp."- ITO what
fatal abyss and by what frantic excuses do mad
men seem bent on hurrying this nation? And what
melancholy picture does the condition of this
country exhibit-a spectacle of weakness and
crime--the weakness which would by apathy or
indifference suffer uncounted blessings to be wan
tonly thrown away, and the crime that would light
the fires of destruction and die in the flames il has
kindled, rather than yield barren victory over
pride and prejudice to an adversary.
History bears long record of extinct States that,
after hourishing proudly, have gone into decay
and persisted from the roll of nations Some fell
by foreign invasion, and many by the corruptions
of long period of prosperity that had enervated
and debased them-but with all there were periods
through which the philosopher trace the insen-
sible growth of the principle of evil which cmascu-
lated their vigor and finally destroyed them. But
that this nation so full of the first glow of robust
youth-so marvellousin its sudden growth of great
ness that is yet in the earliest stages of its mighty
and indefinite expansion, which is the wonder of
all nations else, for its Astounding prosperity its
renown in war; its vast achievements in the arts of
peace; the simplicity and beauty Of It's government,
and the liberty and security which it dispenses and
guarantees to millions Of industrious and prosper
Gus people-that this nation, without one shock of
external violence, or one real grievance within,
should be on the verge of dissolution, convulsed
with the fear Of dissolution-about TO break up and
dissolve itself into chaos, and like stately ship,
go down under clear sky and with smooth sea,
without sign WARNINGS too monstrous a con-
ception to find any parallel in the annals of the
world. To permit il would be crime against
Providence, and treason to the hottest hopes and
noblest interests of the human II liberty as
she has presented herself in this hemisphere, for
the admiration and emulation Of the rest Of the
WORLD growing up in the fresh forests of the new
world where tyrannyand privilege we're unknown,
unfettered by any ancient rule Of wrong, and long
prescription Of power and interests which else
where clog her footsteps and drag down 10 ruin all
who struggle in her cause IT, with all these oppor
tunities, preserved as il were in continent kept
unoccupied till the emancipated minds Of the best
and bravest in Europe were ready and trained to
take and improve 1t for her use; IL, thus favored
and nurtured, and having grown strong and pros
porous among the nations, she per ishes now by the
parricida hands Of faction, where the yearning
nations Of the old world look again with hoper The
contamination Of her ruin here, in the destruction
Of the fair fabric Of government within which she
is enshrincd, and with which her worship is incor-
poratcd in the hearts Of her true votaries will be
received everywhere, where men have aspired to
frecr institutions with a wall Of bitter despair.
Who will take the responsibility Of pushing the
discords which have convulsed the country 10 this
awful issue1 Who will justify themselves to their
consciences, to the world, 10 posterity for with
holding any cxertion and refusing any sacrifice
which might be needed 10 avert a calamity 30
dreadful 10 every heart What man, looking stea-
Oily at the horrors which may ensue from rash
ness, from obstinacy, from passion, even from
thoughtess temper, will not strive TO be calm, 10
bear and 10 forbear, to seek counsel in brotherly
patience and register vow in hts heart Of hearts,
that under no possible provocation will he do any
thing to aggravate the bad feelings which are 30
rapidly usurpng the place Of rcason--that on no
consideration will he join in the calculations Of the
possible profits Of revolution, or speculate on the
fragments which this that portion Of the country
might save out Of the general wreck Of disunion;
but, not permitting himself 10 believe that the
Union can be dissolved by rational men, and not
relaxing in the most firm determination 10 preserve
it, at all costs, against all violent efforts at dis
ruption, he will do all things which justice, and
honor, and magnanimity will permit or can
quire TO conciliate, to soothe, to satisfy all.
And how little, after all, Is wanted TO the dispo-
sal Of this portentous question. What the South
asks for Is TO be let alone She asks for no affirm
ance Of law, or enactment Of law, TO fix her
rights in the Territories. Content with the Const
tuition ms il is she believes her rights TO be pro-
tccted by the Constitution. AT all events, she is
willing and has offered 10 submit to the decision Of
the judicial tribunals established by the Constitu-
ton. The North, nearly unanimously, declares
that no such constitutional rights exist to hold
slaves that the disability thus fixed by law is con-
frmed by nature, and has been fixed by unalterable
circumstances White labor, they boast, has super.
seeded slave labor absolutely in all the Pacific terri
tory; and the sentiment and interests Of the nhab-
itants have decided that no slave State can be
erected in any territory derived from Mexico. Yet
with pertinacity which springs from passion and
pride more than reason patriotism, they insist
on forcing forward measures which their own