The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-22


,nent at home and abroad, and ,corking il 10 The
sordid private interest and oppressive policy Of
| 100000 oaoners Of slapes."
Another most influential and Impressive wri-
ter advises the northern States to hold this Ian
guage to the South: Slavery is yours, not ours,
and on you the whole responsibility of it must
! fall. We wash our hands OF it wholly. The
object now proposed is to be effected by amend
ments of the Constitution, and these should be
sought in good faitiI; that is, not as the means
of abolishing slavery, but as a means of remov-
ing US from participation of its guilt" Mas
sachusetts, thereupon passes a resolve for an
amendment to the Constitution, and tells us that
the Union may be made permanent by its adop.
ton. r3 $751; " r#a.
These things came from the conservatives.
The abolitionist, from his severe heights, tells
Us, "the principles which the abolitiopists were
mobbed for disseminating in 1885, have now
been proclaiming by the legislatures of sover-
egn states and form the tie which connects to-
gether large minorities, to say the least, of the
national parties. And this, in spite of the vati-
cinations of the prophets of i'll, who foreboded
nothing but mischief to the cause OF liberty in
the free states from the agitation of impractical
bic fanatics. Their steadfast and uncompromi-
sing adherance to the highest dnti-slarery idea
has brought up the public mind 10 its present
point Of progress. BY the same fidelity alone is
10 be carried on to yet higher state Of adj
pancement. The greatest possible expedicncy
is rigid adherence to the highest absolute
right" What that highest idea is you can we'll
| imagine g.. ......
| That may not appear to you to indulge I'M
reasonable alarms, will quote from the most
| illustrious, experienced and enlightened states
man of the age. Sir Robert Peel said There
have been mighty commissions in Europe
Their mighty heavings have already teen felt on
the other side of the Atlantic. Look at Martin
ique! These are useful lessons by which Bra
I'll, Cuba and the U. States will do well to take
timely warning My belief is that the events
which have just happened in Europe must pre-
cptate the time of the final extinction Of this
slavery and of the slave trade hope that the
abolition will be effected by timely precaution
on the part of governments; but there will be
m increasing sympathy with the condition of
slavery. But whether there be wise and provi-
dental legislation on the part of governments or
not, believe its doom sealed; that slavery can
not long survive; that it must, at no remote Pc
riof, be extinguished."
Take these indications of entiment-connect
them with the fact that not member of Con-
gress from any non-slaveholding State voted for
the recognition of the equal rights of the citizens
of the States in the territories none for the
protection Of slave property none for division
by the line of the Missouri Compromise, and all
for the admission of California; that the differ
ence between them was whether the assurance
of the existence Of Mexican laws and the laws
Of nature was sufficient to exclude slavery from
the territories or whether assurance douby
sure" should not be made tripy sure by the
Wimot Provso-and you will be prepared to
render an answer to the question, whether we
shall have peace?
| The question now occurs, what Is to be the
final issue of this My conclusion is, that draw
your lines as you may, arrange your ultimatum
to please the most supne, submissive or AFFECT,
the time fast approaches when your lines will
be crossed, and your "ultimatum" set at nought
and divided. The conflict between the Federal
Government and the institutions of slavery has
commenced. We might extend a puny and
sickly existence to our institutions by submis-
sion and compromise. If We should consent to
accept as aims from our enemies such scraps and
crumbs of jul tice as they may vouchsafe to our
mean and beggarly opportunities, peradventure
some motions Of compassion might be expert
cnced which would serve to diminish the ruin
that menaces those institutions. 1t is unques-
tionably true, sir, all that we have is at stake
but need not tell you that we have power
ability and resources adequate to maintaining
ourselves if we are true to ourselves. There is
no reason for the proud and powerful c0mmu-
mites which constitute the Southern States, to
endure injustice or to submit to oppression.-
We hold the issues of the future in our own
hands.
Having attained the conclusion, that renewed
agitations will follow in the States and in the
Federal Government, the question comes, what
are we to do? For one, make no professions
Of love to the Union apart from an equal and
impartial administration of the Federal Govern
ment, and rigid adherence by it to the Consti-
tuition. The Union rests upon the good pleasure
of the people of the several States, and may be
dissolved in so far as the people of any State is
concerned, whenever their feelings or interests
require it. No government in my judgment,
should be changed so long us it can tolerably
serve the ends of its adoption And every people
is bound by the highest earthly obligation to
overtuoa a government which systematically ar
rays itself against the institutions upon which
its peace, prosperity and hopes depend
| 1t is not my purpose to inquire whether past
agitation or the legislation before us furnish the
evidence of such deliberate and settled hos
tility as to authorize resort to extreme meas
ures of redress The Constitution of the United
States derives its authority in this State only by
the will and pleasure of the people; and its au-
thority over its citizens may be terminated by a
declaration of the same will.
The fate of the citizen of this State is then in
the hands of our people, and for one | would
have it in no other hands.
This conservative position enables us to hold
counsel together, and to determine with delib.
Grafton and care, those questions which concern
our future welfare
Independent of any conclusions affecting the
Government, there are measures that present in
justice and the appearance of future peril de-
mand of u.s. The General Assembly Of lS4s
pledged the cooperation of the State in defence
of institutions "common and peculiar" to the
slaveholding States. The manner of that CO.
operation and the efficiency of the concert should
be ascertained and provided
We should know what States are willing to
defend our common institutions, and against
what invasions.
You cannot but have observed the angry de-