The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-25


possession, These were the inducements with
me TO vote for law which omitted to secure for
the South the full measure of her rights.
The abolition Of the Save trade in the District
of Columbia was the greater insult and INJURY 10
the South, because there was no abuse Of the trade
here, and because Of the great leading Objects M
tended TO be accomplished by the law. It's hrst
great purpose was, 10 condemn andstigmatIze, by
a national vote, the transfer of slaves from one
owner another upon slave soil. Its second great
end was TO establish precedent for emancipation.
And | do know the bill could never have been
passed unless il had worked the emancipation Of
the slsve and thus, under the pretext of suppress
ing nuisance they work the destruction Of the
property.
! While this bill was before Congress, one vote
was taken which shows the spirit of the North.
There is no adequate law Of this District for the
punishment Of negro stealing; and when 1t was
proposed to make il crime punishable by con
fnement 10 the penitentiary, no Northern senator
voted for the amendment except those noble Ro-
mans, Dickinson, of New York, and Sturgeon, OF
Pennsylvania. No Northern representative gave
the same vote, except McClernand, of Illinois, and
Ross, OF PenDsy lvana, who deserve to be held IN
perpetual remembrance by the people OF the South
for their devotion to Justice and constitutional
right. This refusal to punish negro stealing was
bused on the idea that nothing was TO be done 10
increase the confidence in this property, aud no
direct recognition Of it was TO be given by The
Congress Of the United States.
To stop our just complaints for the aggressions
enumerated, it is said the Fugitive slave blu was
passed But why was this necessary The sur
render of the runaway was expressly one OF the
con promises in theConstitutlon OF 7S9. The law
Of 1893 was ample and sufficient for the enforce
ment of this right among people willing to keep
good faith, and to comply with their constitutions
al Obligations But divers State legislatures had
nullIGed this law, and these States were IN the
Union, having rendered null and OF no effect a
Il l.. IL. Inf al mil
}, LITIGATION was in favor Of the negro fugitive, and,
therefore, the sympathsers made such nullifoa-
ton oommendable. A new law became necessary
A small band OF generous, patriotic Democrats
from the North united with the South IN passing
this new law.
But, one State has already nullifed this new
law, and the public sentiment of the North is
AGAINST its enforcement. Long before we have any
thing more to compromise with, new addition of
this law will be needed. Although feel that the
present position of South Carolina and MISSISSIPPI
p has caused these Norlhern invaders TO hold
breath and keep quiet, with the hope that the
{ wounded and restless spirits OF the South may be
put down under the cry of disunon, and that that
region shall become intoxicated with exutant joy
and pride ut having saved the Union from the
efforts Of those who were striking for the rights OF
the South, yet know his anii-savery feeling VIII
be onward tlll the whole power OF this government
shall be welded for the overthrow of slavery.
For the last twelve years have been here, and
have watched the progress OF abolltionlsm. IL has
grown stronger, more during, and more ihsolenuy
aggressive, each and every succeeding year.
Flushed with their late success, it is idle to sup
pose that the cause is dead, or that all effort Is
now TO cease. What have they, he Abo'itionisis,
gained and what III the prevailing feeling OF the
whole North
Isf. The free use Of the halls of Congress, from
which they can empty upon The South their
loalhsome and insulting abuse OF our institutions.
| 81. Slavery is forever exclude from the whole
/ Pacific coast, and that by the action OF Congress.
Sd. Believing that Mexican law excludes slave
ny from New Mexico and Utah, (and there is
unanimity with the whole North on this subject,
and sufficient diversity of opinion on the same
prevails in the South, to prevent emigration from
that secton,) it follows that the South is efectua-
| y excluded from all the vast territories now
owned by the United States, embracing an area of
| l,90O,0O square miles, except narrow strip of
land OF the State Of Arkansas; and IN order to
hamper us, this whole country south of the paral-
lei of $500, has already been granted in fee simple,
to certain Indian tribes who are guaranteed its
perpetual possession.
I 4th. 1t is almost unanimous feeling and senti-
ment IN the North, that slavery is q moral social,
and political evil, and ought to be abated and the
late action of Congress has fixed the limits its
further progress and has announced to tie South
the unalterabIe will of the North thus far shall,
thou go and no farther, and within thy present
confines, thou art doomed to live and die.
oth. congress mas abolished slavery IN the DiS-
trict of Columbia IN certain cases. and the country
is called upon to acquesce. The principle and
| the power being established, time and the temper
of the country must alone determine the proprety
of further action.
9th. The government of the United States is to
lie released for the future, from all responsibility
for this institution in every shape whatever Thus
common government will become our enemy,
instead of our friend.
7th. BY the admission of California the South
is thrown into minority in all the departments OF
the government. A the protection she receives
is owing 10 the forbearance of the North alone.
The ruling doctrine of the hour Isl that the ma
lorty of the nation must control IN all things; and
1t is the duty of the minority 10 submit and nc
quiesce in the action of that ma iorty all sub
jscts. The belplessness of condition is still
| more apparent when we consider how soon Min |
nesota, Oregon, New Mexico, and Utah will be- |
come States.
9Th. The tendency Of every thing at Washing
ton ia TO federalism and consolidation. The as.
founding increase of the revenues, and the pro Al
gacy of the expenditures of the general govern
ment the enlargement of Executive patronage,
and the army and the navy, and all the operations
of the government, give the central government
such grandeur and power, asto attract all eyes,
and enlist the ambition of the aspiring in every
direction. The centrpelol attraction of the gov
eminent is the stror gest force of the age. States
are comparatively weak and insignificant, and the
power of State now is constant theme Of rdi-
cule
| OH There be doub, that the commercial
and manufacturing interests Of the North have en-
J couraged these assaults and aggressoDs upon Tho
South because there was found the great agriril.
tura interest that refused to favor class egisla.
ton, comforting bounties upon one pursuit, and
/ burdens upon another.
| And now that they have triumphed, they are
knocking at the doors of Congress for their re-
ward. Some having seen the mischievous spirit