The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-16
FRIDAY, MAY 10. 1851.


in the States. III the power OF the federal gov
eminent can be consolidated, and the unity O
the several States destroyed, there will remain
but little practical restraint on federal encroach
ment, for no power will remain to resist it. The
operation Of federal parties is to divide and dis
tract each State. For as a State is general,
divided between the two parties, and one or the
other of them is the party that yields the fed.
eral government, that party, for the time being
is opposed to all resistance of its abuses being
to some extent responsible for them Hence it
is that ever since the full development of par
ties in the United States, South Carolina is the
only State which has made most effectual oppo-
sition to federal usurpation: and this is because
she has not been divided by party like the other
States. Hence South Carolina has never been
fayorite with either of the two great national
parties. She never would submit to their dicta-
ton, nor enter into their schemes. Hence, how
ever, she has exercised more power in the Union
than any other State. The earliest and most
steadfast advocate offree-trade and hard money
federal currency, she succeeded finally in estab-
fishing both in federal Legislation. And as she
has been 30 long and steadfastly opposed to fed
eral encroachments on the slavery question, it
has naturally occurred to the friends of thig
movement, who are also such devoted champi-
ons of federal Union, to attempt to create dis
union among her people.
For this purpose itsnas been alleged that her
constitution is arstocratic, that it gives more
power to citizens of one class or district than
another. And it is hoped by this expedient to
excite.il will between the two classes.
This attempt was begun few years ago by
a Mr.. BRISBANE, formerly citizens of the State,
but who became nm Aboltionist and Socialist,
and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. He wrote and
printed pamphlet there for this purpose, and
sent large numbers throughout the State The
effort failed. The attempt was renewed by Gen.
HoUsToN, in a letter that was published lately in
behalf of the Union, Gen. HoUsroN being pecu-
liarly appropriate champion of that cause from
having voluntarily left this Union for Texas
many years ago, and having opposed the inco-
peration of the State into the UniQn to the last
General HoUsToN was however demolished 30
cruelty, that we supposed no prudent person
would be found following in his footsteps
But recently the hteligencer made similar de-
monstration. The enthusiasm and vivacity, with
which that organ has so long commended for the
rights OF the masses against the privileges of
classes rendered it peculiarly proper to volunteer
in tits case. And yesterday the Washington
Union, has inserted an article in the same be
half from the Southern Patriot paper recent,
established in Greenville, South Carolina, op
posed to the almost unanimous sentiment of tn
people and press Of the State--a paper whic
breaches devotion to the federal Union, and des
truction to the State constitution, and of cours
is forthwith rewarded by the Post Office Depart
ment in violation Of law, with lucrative advertise
ments to the tune of probably couple of thou
send dollars, and is besides tickled by the notice
of the President with present Of the congress
sional debates.-Such is the array Of federal par
tyism and patronage and Unonsm, now en-
gagged in the patriotic effort of exciting discon
tent and division in the State of South Carolina
in encouraging enmity against her institution
institutions that have rendered her one Of the
most envied, the most dignifed, the most in.
fuental, and the most eminent States of the
Union.
The principal complaint now made against
the constitution of South Carolina is, that i
gives representation to property; that it gives
to the weather. or larger slaveholding district
greater power, in proportion to white population
than to the other.
Well, this complaint is equally applicable tc
the Constitution of the United States. Thi,
complaint, if reasonable and we-founded, re-
quires the repeal of the clause in the federal
Constitution, which gives to the South repre-
sentation for three-ffths ofher slaves. And we
would like now to know of the two great ma
tonal organs, since they thus assail the const-
tuition of South Carolina, whether they are also
hostile to the same element in that Of the United
States
We think it is important now for these organ
to take their position openly--for the constitu
ton of Virginia, is still more obnoxious to thei
assaults than that of South Carolina And W,
want to know whether these demonstrations o
theirs are intended TO effect the contest now
going on in the convention of Virginia, az wei
to excite vulgar odium against South Caro-
lima. The existing constitution of Virginia, like
that Of the United States and South Carolina
assigns to the slaveholding region larger repre-
sentation than belongs TO its mere white popu.
laiiop.
We have regarded with deep interest the con
troversy in Virginia on the basis question. W.
know that question is of great importance, no
only to her. but to other States, and to the Union
The pretensions Of western Virginia are IA fata
in principle to the Constitution of the Unite
States as to the existing constitution of Vii
ginia And we are sorry to see, whilst we ar
writing, that joint committee Of the two sec
tions has made report, which we consider
mere mediterranean Of the question for fiftee