The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-07-02
TnE ONLY COMPROMISE

tHIINffM - ANN -
Why should we oppose ~
In this opinion are contained IDEAS both false
and humiliatng. In the first place, II implies
,ha, we haze to make a compromise, and IN
the second place, that, knowing this, we have
by all this upfoar, been haggling TO get as
good a one as possible. This may be the Opin-
ion Of some men upon the present question,
but il is not the idea Of the subject upon which
the South has been heretofore acting.
As to the obligation to make a compromise,
we conceive that the reverse is the case,--that
The Nashville Convention assembled to declare
the rights Of the South, and that the obligation
10 make a settlement OF differences is on the
part Of the North. We are borne out in this
opinion by the fact that IRE have nothing to
compromise bat Honor-nothing to settle but
our course Of action on being asked and urged
to compromise that. We ask, we have asked,
for nothing but to be recognized in all rights
growing out Of the administration ofthe FEEDER
al Government, as the equals TO the Northern
States TO compromise this is to give up our
all, and 10 gain nothing but ruin,-consequent-
". we donot hare 10 make a compromise.
We declare, that there is no obligation res
ting upon us, moral or physical, to make a
compromise, but on the contrary, we are led
by all such causes to conclude that such a
course would be highly inexpedient and dis
graceful. We base this upon the following
proposition, which we think will not be dlspu-
ted. It is a matter to be governed by present
| circumstances, whether a mere isolated ques-
ton Of right in a particular object or subject
shall be compromised, but it is a course strictly
to be adhered 10, never to compromise a Prtn-
eiple, which, having its foundation in truth,
leads, as circumstances may arise, tothe most
stupendous consequences. The distinction
here is between a Fact and a Principle,-and
ifthe questions now in agitation were mere
abstract facts, 1--WE are at a loss for a word to
convey our meaning with greater certainty
and If the fate of our glorious country DEEPEN
ded upon a settlement Of them, we would say
Compromise, by all means!
Let us suppose that the question Of slavery
in the Territories were, only one Of whether it
would be better policy for us to have slavery
there or not, and we were divided upon it to
a degree to threaten d%isunion, every Patriot
who loved the Union would say, Compromise.
Blu, when the question Is as it now stands,
whether Or not shall the Southern States admit
that they are criminals, from their institution of
slavery, and that they, being inferior from that
and other causes, have not the m rights in
the Territories acquired by the General Gov
ernment acting as their agent, as the Nor
thern superior States--when this question ari-
SEES, based as il is upon a principle, and one
which is continuing, and leads TO such over
whelmingly important effects, we say, stop
, 40 .~-~-. ~a.~.s yo~s insaisine and degrading
! desires, or any part Of them, therefore we can.
4 not compromise with you. 1t appears to be for.
gotten, in the multitude of words used on this
D subject, that this is the state ofthe case. We
have never admitted that the North had any
rights in this controversy, nor have they any
principles involved, except those which have
been established upon a wrong foundation,
Covetousnessy--and If they have no rights, how
, can we compromise! This then is the con.
clusion,-Since TO compromise is to make mu.
: tual concessions Of right, and the North have
no rights to concede, we cannot compromise
, and to gids away the principle of our equal.
ty with the North, we cannot do and exist
What then becomes Of the intimation that an
obligation is resting upon us to make a com.
promisei Il is unfounded in Theory, and
equally so in fact, for we of THE South, we Sou.
therners at least, do claim to be an honorable
people.
! What then is there no outlet, no method
, OF escaping the present dangers in which we
seem placedl Shall the aggression of the
North be consummated, and resisted by us, end
in the destruction Of one, or both 2 AsSuredly
so, as long as the principle of our equality is
attempted to be destroyed. Let this principle
be put aside, safely, and the whole question
resolves itself into a mere fact a mere matter
which can be comppmised-or rather, upon
which a compromise may be adjusted without
any sacrifice of honor, 1t is upon this state of
the case that the line of 80 Q 30 has been pro.
n%ounced b.. the Nashville Convention as the
ultimatum of the South.
Here is the complete case, There is a quar-
rel about these Territores-the North wishes
all tor her present and ulterior designs, allow
ing us atrightto none. We say that we will
not do this but for peace sake we win divide
II, you take all north, we all south Of this line.
II they agree to this all is right,--each State
or each section composed of sovereign States,
has its sovereign rights recognized over, not an
undivided, but a regularly partitioned muiety.
The rights of each are preserved, though not
completely the honor of the South, at least, is
untarnished And this adjustment is so propo-
sed as to give to the South unalteable rights