The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-16


ousy to the other, because it was regarded as a
common gain. The difference in their re-
sources, or in their contributions To the com
mon good, was as the reciprocal dependence of
the sexes. There was no humiliation in rela-
tive weakness, there was no triumph in supe-
rior strength. Occupying sterile soil, nur-
tured in a rigorous climate, the inhabitants Of
| the Northern States have obtained in exchange
for their intelligence and energy all the ma
terials of comfort and of independence Ice and
granite-the products of their region-manu-
features of which the skill is more valuable
than the simple material upon which it is
exercised; these, with commercial activity as
expanded as the ocean, enable them to COM
mand all the valuable staples of more ia
vored climates. Yet so far from repining that
the bounties of Providence have been bestowed
in measure so unequal, the North has been
proud of, as she has profted by, the fertility OF
the West and the invaluable staple resources
of the South.
The Southern States have looked with in
dulgent qualification upon the growing results
of Northern energy. They have copied their
social institutions, the most perfect in the world.
They have assented 10 the discrimination in
favor of Northern because it was American,
industry. There have been, heretofore, no ac-
counts kept between the great national divi-
sions. If the North sent her seamen to bear
the national flag in triumph over every foe, the
South may have contributed more soldiers to
demonstrate the national prowess upon the
bloody fields of Mexico If the peaceful con-
tests of the North established her ascendency
over the merchant marine of Europe, the in
dspensable staple of the South made the man
ufactures of Europe tributary to the planters
who produced it, But these two sections,
whose interests have been shown to be thus
reciprocal, are now contending for the mas
terry Those who know them feel that if 4
question of resistance or submission be present
ed to the American people, it will be every
where met with the same courageous contempt
Of consequences. Such an issue with such a
people, if once made, can never be compro-
missed. 1t is, therefore, their duty to them
selves and to the world to avoid it. The posi-
ton taken by large party of the North is that
through their agency. There are amongst them
many zealots, who go farther, and consider that
there is a positive obligation upon them to use
all means for its extinction The first class of
anti-slavery men must have been satisfied. The
constitutions of the new Pacific States and the
DEGREES of nature have arrested the -" encroach-
ments" of slavery, without having rendered the
interposltion of the Northern States necessary.
The patriots of the South are endeavoring to
reconcile their fellow-citizens to that which is
inevitable; we trust sincerely that they may be
successful But the second class of anti-save-
~ men, though much smaller, is far more dan
gerous than the first Their doctrine, that it
is duty to effect a change in the social in
situations of the South, is contrary TO the funda-
mental principles of civil and religious liberty.
| The Constitution of the United States was
adopted with the institution of slavery exist
ing. The States of the Union, except as to the
powers surrendered for common purpose, are
separate and sovereign. The citizens of one
State have no moral or political responsibility
for the erroneous systems or institutions of
another. Every citizen of every State has
right TO form his own faith upon the dictate of
his own opinions. Divine revelation has made
il as clear that one cannot be condemned for the
sins, as that he cannot be rewarded for the vica-
rious merits Of his fellow-ctizens. The Decla-
ration OF Independence afirms this right of free
opinion in terms not TO be mistaken We can
not compare this attempt to invade the domes-
tic institutions Of another people TO any thing in
history except to the Fanaticism Of the Holy
War, Then the recovery Of the sacred sepul-
chre and the relief fthe Christian slave were
the justification of a crusade which spread cor
ruption and misery through Christendom,
sowed hostility that ages has not eradicated,
and subjected the Christian to a bondage en-
| HANGED by the traditionary crueltes of his fa-
natcal ancestors. The interference Of one peo-
| pie with the opinions OF usages Of another must
always be productive Of eternal anmosity and
enhanced wrong.
We have no idea that those who advocate
abolition can do more than divide the Union.
| The idea Of using the power Of the Govern.
ment to destroy the value Of what the South
calls property, we must be permitted to tell
them, is wholly chmerical. The institutions
Of this country are now running under as much
pressure as they can bear any attempt to in
crease it must result in explosion. There can
be no emancipation under the Union.
| Regarding, then, disunion as the infallible
result Of continued agitation, we shall in our
next examine its effects upon each Of the great
sections Of the Union.
The first American