The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-09

HE SLAVERY QUEsrlon.-Wedo not consider
tne oPihiohs OF any one man, two men, or fifty
men, however tinguished, a matter Of vital mo-
ment on subject which equally concerns millions
OF people, III they were we would come to the
conclusion, that there is bnt little hope for the
permanently of the Union---not that there peculiar
plan for the adjustment of the dstracting question
might lead to separation of these States--but
great is the improbability of the entire South
uniting upon it, We have been looking for plat
form upon which we can all stand, and have not
been so fortunate to find il. We thought the
discovery was made about two years ago, but
time which teaches all things, has revealed to us
the fact, that we were grossly mistaken! 1t now
seems that the doctrine OF non intervention by
Congress was a capital error, and nothing can
save our rights and honor but the Missouri
Compromise line! That is the sober Judgment of
some highly respectable gentlemen with whom
we have conversed. What is the Missouri Com
promise ne' As we understand IL, in all of the
territory north of So deg, 80 min, slavery was
expressly prohibited, and south Of that latitateit
might might not exist as the people there should
determine. Are You in favor of the re-enactment
Of that measure and its application to New Mexico,
Utah and California; !" Oh, no!'' they quickly
replied "we are for the Missouri Compromise
line with amendment-we will never consent TO
the exclusion of slavery north Of $50 30 unless
Congress will legalze it on the other side. . ~
This proposition looks fair enough, and if we
could read our constitutional g titles clear;' we
would hesitate instant in joining theirranks.
Having such scruples, we must be pardoned
for adhering to the non-intervention doctrine
little longer. We Southern man in birth,
feeling and interest, and Of course will 60 with the
South, whenever the South will 60 with them
selves! But our deliberate conviction is, that nom
is the strongest barrier to Northern
We may be in error in supposing that
the Constitution is fixture which cannot be been
by mutual agreement. 1t may be composed OF
more elastic materials than we ever dreamed off
!" But" said u very intelligent friend to us the!
other day, whilst we were talking in this strain,
I" Congress has certainly the right to curtail the
boundaries of California-let them fix the South
ern limit at $50 80, North latitude and establish
Territorial government South Of it without say
ing word about slavery" To this proposition
we readily assented. 50 Them" he continued,
(" as there is difference Of opinion to the ex-
istence Of certain old Mexican laws in the Terri
tory acquired from Mexico, let Congress pass an
act declaring all such null and void" Agreed,
again. Now, said we, are you willing to see the
Compromise bill Of the Senate Committee passed
with these two amendments Surely; surely"
he replied, !" that is exactly what want" So
there we were,---not far apart in our views. We
wish that all Southerners could come near to u
compromise. When they do, we will be very apt
to be with them. Until that propitious time ar
rives, however, must beg leave to entertain our
old notions. "--.NashpiHe Union.