The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-15
linausnes Of the soundest political phiiosophy and

prominent reasons, among many others al COM
mand, which strongly urge in favor OF dlsso-
luton of the Union. As the intelligent reader
will readily perceive, they have respect to, and
are drawn from those things which constitute Ihe
basis and rudiments upon, and oct or whch he
publican Governments, and the great interests ana
prosperity of those who live under them, ilatu-
rally exist, and must necessarily spring. ana, as
the tendency of all things i'll this day Is for peace,
and the general uprising and widespread pros
perity of mankind--a peace and prosperity found
ed upon unchaDging scientiical principles, and UNI
ceasing progress, and therefore permanent--any
error committed here, must necessarily work far
greater evils, than even that which is sure TO
spring from the direct interference and agency of
the Government, in promoting by Legislation, sec
tional pursuits, and fostering individual and mer-
cenary interests. The considerations here pre-
scented, like those principles which compel the
separate existence of families among mankind, are
alike philosophical, ana Indispensable to the peace
and prosperity of the citizens OF republics. And,
it is the law Of nature among confederate states,
well us the heads Of families and individuals,
that when they cannot live together in peace, they
should separate; and if that cannot secure their
quiet existence, then state of war is natural and
inevitable, and that is the end of the argument!
But the good aud the wise-and especially the
young and resoue OF the earth-hope for better
things; and these latter will ardenty and joyfully
struggle for the truth, In this instance as well
all others, no matter which way it may lead.
will now consider and endeavor to answer
some of the many and startling objections, which
are continually being put forth through the news
papers, and by pubic speakers, in and out Of
Congress, against a dissolution OF the Union.
But, before proceeding to do so, will briefly ad-
vert to the probable state of things " hich will eX
ist IN the country, with reference to, and during
the tendency and actual progress of dissolution.
For, without due reelection upon the SUBJECT AS II
seems to me, many persons seem TO imagine that
the necessary conventions, and perhaps other pub
| lie proceedings, through the agencies OF which
alone, the South can consummnte It's separate po-
litical organization, while in the Union, will be
interfered with and broken up by the authority
and military power of the General Government
But humbly conceive that this il great mistake,
and groundless apprehension. II the plan which
has been suggested for the accomplishment of the
object should be adopted, and the South should
fortunately succeed in carrying it OFT before an
open rupture takes place, either in the halls of
Congress or elsew here between the North and the
South, no interference with her proceedings will
be attempted, because none will be called for or
justhable under the Constitution and laws Of the
United States, on the part of the Chief Magistrate
OF the Union Not even proclamation will he is
| sued by tie Executive, because no law of tho
United States will be violated, attempted to be
iniringed or evaded by those engaged ia the bus-
ness of dissolution. The United States authority,
its Judicial power and proceedings, existing IN
and distributed throughout the South, the collec-
ton Of the customs in Southern po It's, the trans
poraon Of the mails, and in short, all other mat
tiers appertaining to, and under Federal jurisdic-
ton within the limits of the Southern States, will
continue and p oceed in their usual course until
the final organization OF the Central Republic shall
have been completed Fortunately for the South,
and the future peace of our country, in this juno
ture, treason can oe committed only by overt acts
IN taking up arms against the people OF the United
States, or IN giving aid and comfort to their enc
mics. And, therefore, there can be no treason, on
the part OF the people of the South, IN quietly as
sembllng, from time to time, in as many ccnven-
tons al may be deemed necessary for the pur-
pose, the language of glorious old Declaration
OF independence, OF altering or abolishing their
form of government" and, in this instance, simply
to modify the external structure Of the system,
as to make two republics out Of one. And il
would be monstrous indeed, if this inestimab!e
right should now be questioned, and such an at
tempt opposed by any body or power living upon
and known to American soil But il, in the tnce
OF every principle Of republican Liberty, our peace
abe proceedings in this behalf should be wantonly
and violently assailed by the Federal powers that
be, then there will remain but one umpire by nch
the contest can be settled, and that is the sword
And wo be TO INN W. first gives occasion for
drawing it in such Il struggle But to proceed.
IT has been often said of late, and, seemingly,
WIN sincerity, on the part OF those making the
declaration, and among whom there are many of
the most dislngush,d politicians in the country,
such as Clay, Webster, aud Cass, not to mention
the thousands of newspaper editors, wondrous
wise, that if dissolution Of the Union should
take place, Their would Immediately arise difficult
ties between the people, North and South, which
would lead to continual wars between them, and
finally result in the downfall and utter loss of re-
publican liberty! Now, this is very strange and
startling, and, in my Judgment reckiess declara-
tion and assumption; and the question naturally
arises, how can this thing be: where is the reason
for 1t, and in what particular way will it occur? 1t
is most generally imagined by those who put forth
SUCH statements, as we may learn from vague in
uinaions, ana bctu guessing on their part, to that
effect, that apprehended awful catastrophe will
spring from border collisions and strife along the
llile, separating the slaveholding from the non
s'avehoidlng States, in consequence Of the running
AVA, and the theft of the slaves contiguous
!heteto. But, surely, this IL a great mistake, and
Ia proof of the error, will here, in few words,
ana!yze this raw | cad and bloody bones case, and
show Its utter want of foundation in truth.
ANA IN order to arrive at a clear understanding
Of this matter, it will be necessary to take brief
survey of the motives and feelings which now in
duce the Abolitionists to entice away and harbor
the slaves OF the South and also to notice the &C.
tual state of things, as it respects the relation Of
the whites and free Blacks and esp eciay the con-
dltlon OF the latter, in the nonsaveholding States.
There can be no doubt Of the fact, that the ma
nonal disgrace and modification which the anti
slavery'tes say they feel, in living under gov
moving cause of all the efforts which they mphr
IN behalf of runaway and stolen sa, es, and ne.
adjustment of the system of slavery itself I,n-
ing IN the same uairn with the slaveholdingS ",h
they feel, and, 90 doubt, mary Of them, hor. -tly
too' that they are in some degree, responsible FIR
The horrld ain, and cruel inhumanity, as they re-
ally or Approximately profess to regard it, arising
our OF lis existence and continuance ; and thus,
whiie they cannot remove il by direct legal enact
mehts, they show their feelings and zeal in oppo-
saon to 1t by petsioning Congress for the aboli-
non OF, and in enticing away, and, as they seem
10 THINK, magnonimously assisting in retaining the
slaves, whenever aud wherever an opportunity OF
fers! But, let no one at the South be so far dc
ce'ed IN regard to this matter, to suppose that
any part OF this great zeal and seeming magnar-
unity OF soul, springs from sincere love towards
the poor liberated blacks for the past history and
actual condition of the free negroes in the North
ern States, abundanty proves the cont ,ary. They
nave ever been, and are now, a separ, tie and de-
graded class Of beings in the midst of their pre-
tended Northern brsthrer,, except in the single
point of political equality, and which is mere
mocSery under the circumstances which surround