The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-11-01
From the Richmond Whig.l
THE UNION,

Our readers cannot have forgotten the
large and enthusiastic demonstration:
in behalf of the Union which were ex
hibited in nearly all of our large cities
some twelve months ago. The Com.
promise measures of the last Congress
had just been adopted, and though
every enlightened and patriotic mind
beheld in them almost the only hope
of the preservation of the Union, yet
so fercely had ragged sectional strife,
that what had appeared at the time to
be well-grounded apprehensions, were
entertained by many that they would
prove Intellectual to restore peace and
harmony TO the country. To the innate
good sense, love Of wholesome and
well-regulated freedom. national pride
and contempt for all idle distractions, so
eminently characteristic of the Ameri-
can people, are mainly to be attributed
the approval which they have so gene
rally met with. Among, however, the
agencies employed at the time to act
upon the public mind, there were none
more efficacious than these great Union
demonstrations in our large Atlantic
cities Among those engaged in them
were comprised gentleman of the high
est respectability and worth, who zeal
ously co-operated. without reference to
mere political differences of opinion
They became satisfied, from indications
every where visible, that the Union was
seriously in danger, and, like good patri-
OTIS, they forgot for the time all party
distinctions and united in holy effort
to put down fanaticism and uphold the
supremacy of the Constitution. How
far their efforts were successful is
known to every reader. With but few,
exception, until very lately, the Com
promise has been faithfully observed
and peace and good feeling seemed to
be restored to the country. Abolition
ism had very generally been thwarted
in its nefarious schemes by the Union
men of the North, and Disunionism had
met with no better fate from the Union
men of the South. In view of this
happy state of things. the Safety Com
mittees appointed by the Union meet
ings had found no occasion for the ex-
ercise of any of the authority conferred
upon them, and if it had continued.
their very existence would soon have
been forgotten. Unfortunately, how
ever, for the public tranquility, late
occurrences have rendered 1t necessary
that the powers vested in them should
be again called into active exercise
The late brutal massacre of Southern
ers in Pennsylvania. followed so soon
by the outrages at Syracuse, indicate
but TOO plainly that in certain portions
Of the North, hostily to the fugitive
slave law still exists in all its original |
force. and renders its execution ex-
tremely difficult, if not absolutely i'm
possible. Naturally alarmed at these
indications of danger 10 the peace of
the Union, the patriotic citizens of New
York have again aroused themselves
to meet the crisis and 10 do every thing
in their power to uphold the sanctity
Of the laws. We find in the last Jour
nal of Commerce the following card,
signed by several thousand of the most
and influential gentlemen
of that city:
We, the undersigned, do pledge ourselves, that
1t the ensuing election, to take place in this
State, on the 4th of November next we will in
5oting faithfully and fairly carry out the Sth Re-
solution OF the Union Meeting at Castle Garden,
ield on the 30th of October last, which Resolu-
ion is in the following words -
ResOired, That, in the opinion of this meeting,
! further agitation of the Slavery question in
Congress would be fraught with incaculable
IN aad
andidate at the ensuing or any other election for
State officers, Members Of Congress, or of the
who is known to be hostile to the
'eace measures recently adopted by Congress,
r any OF them, or in favor of reopening the ques-
ions involved in them for renewed agitation.
No true friend Of his country can re-
use his hearty approval of this action.
That it will do good we cannot doubt
,ut how far it will suffice to allay agi-
alton and enforce respect for and obe-
Hence to the laws, is question far
more difficult to determine.
We are among those who have al
ways approved of the Compromise
measures, and who sincerely hoped and
believed that they would prove final
ettlement Of the angry disputes grow
ng out of the slavery question. We
re most reluctant to abandon this be-
ief, and still feel an abiding confidence
n the good sense and patriotism of the
'reat majority of the American people.
'ut it cannot be denied that the fre-
uent recurrence of such scenes as
hose lately witnessed at Syracuse and
,hristiana would ultimately create the S
in the Southern mind, that it ]
} idle to expect any longer an equality
t fcondition in any union with the North.
he South so far has faithfully adhered
) the Compromise, though at the time
its passage large number of its cit i.
sens regarded it as an unjust and op- .
ressive measure. Certainly they have |
right to require the same faithful and ]
gid observation from the people of the Q
Torth. In regard to the fugitive law,
outhern men are naturally most SEN i
tive; for upon IFS due execution rests
ne of the main securities. not only of a
lie rights, but the actual safety of the {
outh. They cannot forget that the
ght to recover their property is not a
lere creation of Legislatiye enact