The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-10

/ General Government, the Congress, to which this
matter rightly belongs, was fully possessed ofthe
subject, and is actually engaged in the endeavor to
accom- pllsh separation with honor, justice and
satisfaction to all parties interested.
When we regard the action Of the federal au-
thorltles, there is something military and procon-
sular about the movement, utterly alien to Ameri-
can institutions utterly odous to American hearts
| Congress sits in grave deiberation on matter of
vital interest to Stale of the confederacy; an Ex-
ecutive Department arbitrarily sezes on the mat
ter; orders are given by, If not to, military gov
ernor to cut the knot But it is not altogether
military, for that is open, ayowed and manly in
its purposes. The Santa Fe maneuvre is more
like the trick Of county court lawyer to get a
snap judgment.
| Ihave Just read Gen. Taylor's message. He
says mo orders were given" Orders," gen
tlemen, in the sense here used, are commands,
| in writing, and in this sense it is doubtless true
that no orders were given. shall not be guilty Of
the indecorum Of questioning the solemn assever-
alton of the President; yeti Is singular TO remark
that Col Monroe's line of conduct in this matter,
was changed utterly and Immediately on the arr-
val of Col. Mccall, and thereupon the rebellious
| movements took outward form and c'nsisence.
reg ret, too, that President Taylor had been adj
vised TO sign document wherein the duly APP
pointed commissioner OF sovereign State Is des-
| ignated "a certain Il. S. Neig hbors, styling
himself, " etc. trust shall not be forgetful of
| the courtesies of language.
Under these circumstances Governor Bell has
called session Of the State Legislature. The
subject is novel and extraordinary. We met
in primary meeting to express our proceedings.
| TITS not merely right but our duty to do
Gov. Bell is disposed determined, should say to
uphold and vindicate the title Of the State to the
entire territory. This large assembly will sustain
! him in that determination. Every patriotic hon
est citizen of the State will rush to support and
maintain the honor of the State. We will stand
by the Governor and Legislature in all measures
which may be necessary TO assert the right of the
| State to our whole territory and to put down re-
bellion however or by whomsoever instigated.
Like the lsraelites Of old who upheld the hands
Of the prophet that prayed while the battles of the
Lord were fighting, we will uphold the hands Of
the State authorities while vindicating right and
justice. If n grave issue be presented which God
forbid and we be called on to assert our right by
| force against distinguishing citizens Of our own,
though backed and supported by the regular army,
we will do so, and we will do so with hearty
will at the utmost cost and EXTREMIST peril | would
abstain from this declaration did not an intma-
| ton in the recent Executive Message that
would submit to whatever NIGH be done, render it
| proper for us to make such declaration, in order
| that the Administration at Washington may be
disabused OF its erroneous opinion. Threats and
| defiance, or denunciation are abhorrent from my
nature, but know my fellow citizens and swear
by the blood that has been shed on this battle field;
swear by the ashes of the dead heroes which
mouder in the graves beneath our feet, that the
citizens Of Texas will not by rebellion or fraud,
by open violence, nor by any indiscretion, be
driven from vindication of their rights to pre-
serve invoate the territory of II sovereign State.
In the course of his remarks, the Speaker said
there is in our meeting this occasion pur-
pose of disunion avowed or concealed. | would
not, said he, preside over disunion meeting
An expression Of his affection for the Union, was
| warmly cheered. Nor said he- is it question
| ofpolitical party, of whigism or democracy, but
=. a.
State, which appeals to every patriotic citizen,
| be he wing or democrat Nor does the consid-
Grafton of the grave issue now before involve or
| embarrass the g Compromise now before Con-
gress. Ii leaves US free to receive or re ect that
compromise, We may deem the honor and in
terest Of the State shall require.
| DR.. Smith 5 remarks were listened to with pro-
found attention, and elected great applause from
the audience.
The Opium Trade as carried OH between
India and China.
Hunts JNagazine, for July and August, contains
an able article, under the above head, t. I'M the
pen Of Nathan Allen, d. d., Of Massachusetts.
He exposes the ilIegality of the trade, the great
loss Of life occasioned by it, and the brui" con
duct Of the British East India Government in
forcing this article upon the Chinese against their
wishes, and to the destruction of human life, IN
manner anything but complimentary 10 John
Bull.
The importation Of this article into China was
first proposed by man Of the name of Watson,
as the means Of raising a revenue for the East
Indian Government. The proposition, after hav-
ing been discussed, adopted, and that gov
eminent embarked in this wholesale murder and
smuggling without any computation, but to the
great relief of its purse. This trade, carried on
under the auspices of the East lndin Company
and encouraged by England, soon increased il,
such degree, and was the cause Of such an
ole Dcl
ernment became justly alarmed, and arousing
itself from its inactivity in 1898, forced the mer-
chants TO surrender the poison, and then had 1t
destroyed. This led to the celebrated Opium
! War, in which the Chinese, overcome by force
and superior tactics, obliged to submit, and
allow this poison to be Struggled into their ports,
although they refused to legaize the trade.
| An estimate made by several writer's in that
country proves that at least 900 persons are
| annually brought to their graves in consequence
of the use o! this article. But far better of are
they than those who survive, for their misery is
| over, while others that survive, have to endure
their misery. Ii is calculated that people do not,
on average live more than ten years after they
have become victims to this degrading vice.
DR.. q. II. Smith thus describes the effect of
opium smoking.
elf the dose be not talk at the usual time,
there grent prostraton, vertigo, torpor, and dis
charge Of water from the If the privation be
complete, still more formidable train Of phenom-
| era take place. Goodness IS felt over the whole
body, with aching pains in all parts. DiarrhGa
occurs the most horrid feelings Of wretchedness
come on ; and if the poison he withheld, death
| terminates the victim 3 existence"
Good God what a revolving spectacle we have
here Of the humanity and christianity Of Il nation
occupying one OF the most prominent positions in
the Christian world? Four hundred thousand per-
sons brought to their graves in order to obtain u
revenue fur the East Indies Not even the auto
crat of Russia, loads his countless millions with
such loathsome and inhuman tyranny as this. IT.
human ,yrant and despot he il, he would never
have the audacity and heartless cruelty to force
this poison upon an independent and unoh'ending
nation. And this trade, causing all this sacrifice
Of life is encouraged bya nation protesting chris
tianity, without fear aud without remorse
Where is the consistency Of England IS maintain
ing a squadron upon the African coast for the pur-
pose Of keeping few uncivilized blacks from sla-
very, while she forces poison upon the Chinese,
encourages smuggling, and keeps thousands upon
thousands Of them in bondage unsurpassed by
the worst negro slavery Would England dare to