Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-29


columns as we'll for the respect we bear for the wr
ter as because it, in great measure, expresses SEN
timents in which we heartily concur. Yet winnie we
oboo~f,1ix, oxnross our coincidence with the main
seone and tenor of the letter. must beg to be un
dsstood as doing so with certain grains of allowance
NVs concur with the writer in believing that per-
distance in aggression to the extent of deprving the
South Of her lust share in the public domain-refu
sipU or neglecting to restore her fugitive slaves-a
boishinp slavery in the District &c. would not only
Justify, but must inevitably produce disunionl Sol
far we will 20 but with all due respect for those
who are more experienced than ourselves, we must
sov that we cannot assent to the idea OF dlsunlon
anv how Owe regard peaceable separation as prac-
tcaly impossible and for these reasonsE Ninetenths
of the people of the North, and nearly half OF the
eonle of the South even Of those who believe IN the
propriety of separation in certain look upon
secession as an extra constitutional remedy purely
revolutionary in its characterize contingency not
proyided for and in which community must 1all
back upon its natural rights totally irrespective OF
anv merely conventional arrangement. In such
case it would be almost impossible to secure unanim
iv or to arrange boundaries between excited parties
without adding to the excitement. Neither would
division remove the bone ofcontention The terrific
ries would still remain and it is hardly to be suppo
sed that those who could not agree while united
could enter upon peaceable compromise, with all
their passions aroused and no longer restrained by
the tics of common country and common inter-
est Besides, new bone of contention would arise,
in the disposal of the public property OF various
kinds Ships, munitions of war; warehouses; every
thing-to which section would they belong Which
section would command the Mississippi! which
would be Uncle Sam o. We might multiply rea-
cons for regarding peaceable dsunion as practical
ly impossible but forbear as they WILL no doubt
suggest themselves to every thinking man
With this explanation, perfectly agree with
the writer of the letter. In certain cases already
specified, disunion would be the only remedy, and
would, we believe, be inevitable. We do sincerely
hope that no such dire necessity will arise Should
it arise, we believe it will be met promptly and de-
cidcdly but in the time, no honorable effort
should be spared to avert what we cannot but regard
as misfortune, only less than dshonor or degrade
ton. I'VE are no submissonists- neither are We dis
unionists. The prevalent feeling of the people, #
we understand it right, is to avert disunion five
honorably can but not to avert it at any cost; J.
Those who represent the Southern people as DESTROYS
of withdrawing from the Union, think nista-
KEN but those who represent them as willing to
stay in it on any terms-no matter what-are far
mistaken.
For the life of us, we could never see the differ
ence in principle or in practice between the So
called " American SYSTEM" and the Wilmot proviso
and kindred doctrines The direct operation of eth
er is to give preference to the peculiar institutions
of the socaled free States over those of the slave
States-to protect the products of free labor at the
expense of those of slave labor THE protective tar
if system is but sort of financial Wlmot proviso
Every interest protected by the tariff of '42 lc
c:t c1 III te North and not dollar of slave labor
or capital invested in it and the protection afforded
was in all cases at the expense of the agricultural
interest, in which alone slavery is employed1
As the writer justly observes, Mr.. Clay and his
Southern Wing coadiutors are more responsible for
the present state of things than the Southern Demo-
Gratis. Yea, we will go farther, and say than the
Northern Democrats. The school of politicians to
which Mr.. Clay and his wing friends belong, has al
ways maintained latitude of construction in regard
to the powers of the General Government, which the
Democratic party has always combatted This has
been conspicuous in every issue which has been made
since 1890 Take, for instance the subject of Inter
nal improvements by the General Government. A
United States Bank. A protective tariff &C. In all
which the Democrats have been the side of rigid
construction of the Constitutions and for limiting the
hcuOn or General TO most clearly
defined powers, while their opponents occupied
grounds directly the reverse. And it may be remark
3D. that upon all these questions, the Democratic
platform has become the settled policy of the coun
try and in the last canvass the Democratic doctrine
that of nonintervention, and now, after all thu
abuse that heaped upon Gen. Cass W. find Web
ster Bell Clay, and others of his opponents trying
to crowd to that platform to the country il
this the eleventh hour. We may remark, that not
principle of national policy which has stood the
test, has emanated from, the Wing party--not one
great democratic principle to which time and expe
rience does not add strength. Owe believe the slave
ry question will be settled upon tie Democratic
ground of non-ntervention violated by the Modelling
of the administration in the affairs of California;
Dublin COUNTY, n. c., March %, 1850.
OfesTS. Editors received letter from Hon S. ASH
time SINCE asking views upon question of slave
~ the tariff, &c enclose copy of my answer which yo,
may publish in the Journal | quite so vain as t,
suppose that opinion about these matters deserves
consideration but do think is high time every South
who does not wish his poserity if not himself
be made hewers of wood and drawers of wator for tn
North, to speak out. Respectfully,
A. Q. GRADY
Hon. WILLIAM S. AsHE-Dear Sir-Yours of the 10Th ult
has been received in which you desire my views the
tion of slavery, the tariff &C. WE'LL for reasons Civ
pOOnable share of the public domain Or least to con
tnue the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific give
solemn pledge that she will forever hereafter cease to agi
he to