Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-03-15
For the Journal.
TUI VH0 JUUIIIdl
WHITEvILLE, n. c., March, 1850


When we scan the history of nations and mark the
downfall of governments, we find more to have fallen
from corruption and treachery, in their midst,
than by the power and skill of their open and avow
ed enemies. Then, when we see dssension, mixed
with hypocrisy, raising its hydra-head in our own
land, does not the sad experience of the word-does
not the Wondering wreck of once fourishing en-
pires call loudly upon those who have honest love
for the Union and just veneration for the constitu
ton to endeavor to avert the angry storm which
seems to be gathering and lowering these Uni
ted States When we behold this beautiful fabric
of Union and its cornerstone the constitution,
so happily adjusted by the wisdom, integrity, and
foresight of our ancestors when we reflect upon
the peace happiness, and prosperity it has secured
to US home, admiration respect which
its success has for abroad when our hearts
become filled with the feelings of TO- and our minds
with the reflections that here tyranny and monarchy
first founl invincible enemy-does it not seem to
every true patriot to every lover of republican ber
ty, that those who would disregard or trample upon
any clause in that constitution, attempt to
link from this glorious Union, should be marked
with eternal infamy and disgrace?
Though some of the causes which have led to the
present commissions of our country were exhibited
very early after the formation of the constitution
yet half century ago, and who, with the most pro-
phetc eye, would have unfolded the pages of
the future, and read to us of the exciting scenes
which are now spreading from the Atlantic On our
East, to the Pacific on our West ? Who then would
have disturbed his brain with the idea that the North
would be arraying itself against the Union and
the South That there where the sword was first
unsheathed to ayenge countrys wrong, there the
dagger would now be drawn to pierce it to its very
hearts core? Such scenes and such reflections as
these must make the heart of every true patriot Ian
guish and sicken. Though there was current be-
lief at the South that the great excitement as regards
slavery was gotten up only by few evi-minded IA
natics at the North, and obtained only with North
ern demagogues, yet when see the Legislatures
of the Northern States, the embodiment of their
wisdom and their feeling drafting Abolition resou
tons and sending them to the Governors and Legis
atures of the South does this Danish that belief
entirely from minds, and warn us that the time
has come when we should unite and form some we'll
contracted plan by which may battle their selfish
aims defeat their evil designs and scatter the dark
cloud of disunion which seems to be gathering and
threatening in our views.
In the great and important crisis which now seems
to shake country to its very centre, proud
to know that the only objects which the South have
in view, to hold sacred and to keep nvolate that
constitution which bequeathed to us oy the wis
dom and goodness of our orefathers and to
unbroken our beloved Union which has so long been
the admiration of the civilized world When we look
at the past history of the South and view her pres
ent position, hearts swell with pride. That she
can hold up spotless character to the world that
she can present of the most brilliant pages of
the worlds history that her escutcheon is bright
and unsued that she has ever been most loyal to
the constituton-and that her col duct towards tho
North has ever been open, honorable, and magnani-
nous. When we see such people and such a cha
racter as this insulted when see that they have
yielded to- and passed by unnoticed, Northern ag-
gressions, until forbearance has ceased to be vir-
tue we feel that can, that will, freely expend
last treasurr and pour out best blood in her
glorious defence. Never has she stopped so low -
never has she far disregarded truth and Justice
as to belle or intermeddle with the institutions of the
North to defraud her of her property and to deny
her her rights Unenvious Of the prosperity of the
North she has never sought the ascendeney her
in political power, but was always too proud-too
ma snanimous- to wish to take the advantage
Does the North presume, upon our long silence that
we have been ignorant Of her selfish alFns-that we
have SO much felt our dependence upon her as &c
weld to any wrong or to submit to any insult we
fol ber not TO deceive herself with such vain deIu-