The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-20

| lima, they are preparing to meet the exlgency
like men. Mr. DeSaussure is an old and intlu-
entail citizen, leading member of the bar, and
gentleman of natural Judgement:
REMARKS OF w. F. DESAUssURE, ESQ, on
taking the chair at adjourned meeting or tho
citizens Of Rchland District, Thursday, 9Th Sept.
1850.
This meeting has assembled for the purpose Of
receiving the report Of the committee appointed
to draft constitution for the Southern Rights
Association, and to consider the propositions sub
mitted at the former meeting.
Nothing has occurred since that assembly, 10
shake our conviction that the country is IN immi-
nent peril, and that an urgent necessity exists Tor
tile formation of associations throughout the
South, to produce concert of action and to orga-
nize the means of defence. On the contrary, the
sky is more dark and lowering, and portends an
approaching Storm In all probability Congress
will adjourn without passing any bill upon the
Territorial question, except to admit California
with her present limits and constitution, eXcud-
ing the South from any share in that vast country.
Under the circumstances attending the formation
of that constitution, this Will be substantially 10
enact the Wilmot Proviso, which the Northern
power dare not attempt in u naked form, from the
absolute certainty of firm and unanimous resistance
by the South
\ Will any Southern man counsel SUBMISSION to
it in the fraudulent shape in which it is now pre-
government to California without the Wllmot Fro
viso, and thus forced her to exclude slavery by
her State Constitution, in order to obtain admls-
sion.
This is question of political power, and It is
quite manifest from the temper OF the Abolition
party, that if, in addition to her present prepon-
derance the North is enabled to WELD against us
the enormous power which the control of the ter
ritories acquired from Mexico will furnish, there
is no longer safety for the South IN tins Union.
And how do the sections stand affected? With
the North it is question of power; with the
South of safety, of existence.
Has the North any fear Of the growing power
of the South' This was the cry in former days
but how stands the case now? With Canada In
reversion, with Minnesota soon to be admitted,
with Oregon TO be carved into several States, any
pretence that the equilibrium Of power may be
disturbed to her prejudice, is ridiculous. The
more especially as she claims that New Mexico
will be Free-soil, whether the proviso be applied
to it or not, and the South has been content to di
vide California, and surrender to abolitlonlsm by
far the largest and most valuable portion.
The struggle of the Northern section is for abb
solute mastery--and what then will be con-
diton' We shall be represented in Congress, il
is true, but is Ireland represented IN the British
Parliament not with power to serve or save her,
but only the privilege Of witnessing the edics
corded, by which she is inundated. The time
was, when though IN minority, we might have
trusted something to the magnanmty and sense
of justice to the North. Are you content now to
commit your destinies to their tender merciesi Is
your confidence revived by the present attempt to
appropriate to themselves all the new territories
in defiance of justice and the Constitution Are
you rendered more confdng by the manner in
which her people have seduced from you your
slaves, and laughed to scorn the constitutional
provision for their re-capture. Are the doctrines
taught by their presses and societies in utter con-
tempt of their constitutional obligations, such
to reassure you, Do the message of President
FILLMORE and the letter Of his Secretary, Mr..
WEBSTER, to the Governor of Texas, demonstrate
that we are living under government of law ora
government of force No, gentlemen! no con-
quered province of imperial Rome endured
the oppression reserved for you, if you fail now
IN your duty to yourselves. You may read your
destiny in the history of ruined Jamaica, fyou
crouch before lawless, power and sectional am
bition.
In their fierce spirit of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT the
North is deaf to the most obvious suggestions of
prudence. They propose to erect the vast terri
tory of California into one State, covering 1000
miles of a-coast. To convert distant territory
nearly as large as half the old thirteen, with a
motley and dsaffected population, into vast en-
pire. Will this be the Empire State of the Union,
or will il be an Empire by ITSELF How long be-
fore their present dscontents will end in that is-
sue' Will no AARON BURR be found to further
the schemei Will Lieut.. Gen. BENTON not be
disposed to put himself at her head, and resent
he injuries, real pretended, done to his pro-
ege! But all this danger the North is willing to
encounter sooner than miss their ambitious pro-
ect of acquiring power to destroy you.
Ii may yet be in our power to save the Union,
'ut this can only be done by firmly insisting upon
IA. rights under the Constitution, and our equality
n the Union. If we fail in this struggle, am
prepared with you to abide the issue. If it lead
o disruption Of the Union, welcome that sooner
han submit our destinies and those of our
hildren to the unlimited power of an unscrupu-
Gus majority, who trampIe upon the Federal
compact, and appeal to an authority higher Than
hat which they have sworn to obey