The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-10
Prospect Of Disuniop or seoession.

| Prospect OF Disunion or Secession.
II is as well to look this matter calmly in Tho
face Ii is not a subject for sneers and wittcisms
large portion of the Southern people in the
States Of Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and
South Carolina, are alienated from the Union
OF this there is no doubt. The tone of the press,
and the resolutions Of public meetings, indcute a
depth of feeling and resolution which cannot be
trifed with. The first men of,the South are in
volved in this matter. They look upon secession
inevitable and, under all the circumstances, de-
sirable and the attempt to carry 1t into effect will
most probably be made. The State Legislatures
will meet under the effect of the common feeling,
and measures of secession will be proposed, and
we think, adopted, in some, if not all the States
we have mentioned. Then the prudence and for
bearance Of the people of the United States will
be put to a severe test. The Federal Government
is in the hands Of men of extreme federal notions.
Their claim OF power is as eXtravagant as their
incompetency to WELD it is notorious. What
shall be done when one or more States shall for
malIy resolve upon secession from the Union, and
determine TO resist the execution Of the laws of the
United States 1t will be easy to expound the
Constitution, and spin out the theory of it; but,
unfortunately, it will be dead letter. The union
of feeling and confidence will be gone; and that is
all the Union has worth preserving. When
measures for disunion adopted in accordance
with the current sentiment Of several States, the
work is done. The Union can then only be pre-
u
lighting for. The employment Of force will not
be duty, but crime Of the darkest dye.
We shall not discuss the theoretical power Of
| the Federal Government to compel State to sub
mission by military force. 1t is an idle question.
The Federal Government may act upon indi-
| viduals, may suppress an instruction, any
thing OF that sort, but to arms against State,
or combination of States, is quite different az
fair. No express provision is made for such a
case; for 1t was not contemplated ever to occur;
or If 1t was, 1t was foreseen that any effective
| remedy would be worse than the disease. We
do not believe that any measures this Congress
will pass can Justify secession or revolutions but
we can judge for these Southern States. Whether
they are light or wrong makes no practical differ
| ence. They are dissatisfied with the Union, and
prefer secession to all appearance at present. If
they are resolved upon it, where is the remedy ?
The only one for II is, forbearance and concession
on the part of the Federal Government. The
first hostile gun against State ends the Union.
IL might Re possible to establish central despo-
tism IN the hands of majority in Congress, and
IN the hands of sectional President, but it would
only establish Union to be !oathed and abhorred
not the glorious union which has heretofore ex-
listed and which has been the pride OF every
American 1t is as well 10 take this matter into
serious considerations An impression prevails
that the men Of ultra views in the South are few
in number. This is fatal deluslon, depend
upon it.
II the disaffection South Is not deep seated per-
manent and decided, then language and action
/ give no indication that can be relied upon. The
movements in several of the States evince tone
Of feeling, not to he nude light Of however it may
he condemned. Jeers and menaces exceed
ingly out Of place. Earnestness and determine
ton are not to be met by q hes and threats. The
States in question are members of this COnfeder
acy. They speak equals to their peers, and
have right to be heard. They have had enough
to irritate and provoke them, and they are not to
be appeased by ridcule or by violence, or by as
Stunning doubtful constitutional power which they
/ don't acknowledge.
We affirm that the submission Of these States
cannot be compelled. The Federal Government
has not the power and it would be sacrilegous to
to exercise it if it had Persuasion, Cancellation,
and concession are the means, and the only eectual
ones that can be employed. 1t is humating
confession, that the destiny Of three million ne
groes should be the question to dissolve glorious
confederacy Of twenty millions of white men-that
this should be the stumbling block in the way of
the model republic, whose brilliant career has as
tonished the world, and made the throne Of every
tyrant tremble Is this the capacity Of white men
for sell-government' Are they to fall out about
negroes, and bury the hopes Of civil liberty in a
premature grave? Verify, if this turns out to be
| true, we had as well inquire how white men are tc
maintain their free institutions, and leave the
negro to take care Of himself. Some of the fret
States seem to consider that they are bound only
to legisate for the benefit Of the negro of the Sout
against the white man. If this course is perse
vered in, the result is easily foreseen. Every de
cison in Congress is made to hang upon the ques
ton: How can it affect the negro in the Southerr
States; not how it will affect white men. TIL,
people Of fhe South will not endure this always
| There has been enough of it. Consult the feeling.
and wishes Of the white man, South, and he will
take Of the negro better for the interests Of thu
black race than all the fanatics, North, ever car
| or ever will
But we only intended to call attention to th,
subject, and we repeat that the indications in TIT
South give ample ground for serious apprehen
sions.-LouisritLe Democrat.
SANTA FE MEErNc.-DoubtIess the most i'm
portant Santa Fe meeting that has yet been helt
in the State, was the one held on the sacred and
consecrated battle ground OF San Jacinto. This
meeting was principally composed Of citizens from
the counties Of Harris, Liberty, and Galveston
After the citizens had congresated, the meeting
was called to order by james Morgan, who nomi.
mated Ashbe Smith, President. Harry II. Allen
was appointed Secretary Of the meeting.
DR.. Smith stated the object Of the meeting. lie
said The object OF the present meeting, as stated
by Col. Morgan, is known to every gentlemen
here, yet it is well for clearness of understanding
and tn C despatch Of business to state that object
in form. We are assembled, gentlemen, to take
into consideration the attempts which are making