North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-02-05
For the North Carolina Standard.
To the Legislature of North Carolina.

aver the same shall be perverted to their Injury
oppression" This being the language of Virginia,
! we have seen proper to quote it-for in any thing
affecting the rights of the States, we never fear to
tread in her foot-path for while on the one hand,
having been ever mindful of the interests of her
pie, the other she has suffered that jeal-
ousy the least to interfere with the obligations which
she assumed as member of the Federal Union.
Has then the trust power confded by the States to
the General Government, been perverted and
abused to result in the injury and oppression
of the slaveholding States = II
We should consider ourselves wanting inrespect,
both to your intelligence and patriotism, were we to
attempt the affirmative demonstration of proposition
which is so notorousy selfevdent that he that runs
may read ;; neither will We 90 into recital of those
"perversions - still less will we assa or approve
the " COMPROMISE for that might awaken feelings
which wish to avoid for such is the common
frailty of nature, that when party go for
measure, (even though it be disconnected with our
distinctive principles, that was,) that cannot
consider the measure abstractly from the influences
which gave it birth and any approval or condemna-
tion arouses those influences and lily qualities to
look and take proper measures for the secu-
/ rity of the whole.
With the Compromise then, we have nothing to
dot has become the law, and such has become
the rule OF action; and it is incumbent upon you, at
least, see that be fulfilled to lis Ucry letter-for
anything short, not only involves the interests of the
South but becomes public manifestation that those
peculiar interests, SO plainly recognized by the Con-
stuton, TO be sacrificed in utter disregard of its
! provisions.
!
lied assumption of power delegated the Federal
Government; bat it is not every assumption that
would justify, morally speaking, as extreme meas
IRE as sec essIon; for 1t is only when 1t becomes
evil too intolorabe to be borne that State
eighty should nerpose her broad shield to protect
! the citizen.
The right may exist, long before il should be ex-
ercised, for although our Government is strictly
Confederacy proper, yet at the same time hold
that there is moral obligation resting upon each.
which calls upon him to forego slight advantages
for The good of the whole yet this is only moral and
not Constitutional obligation, and he may disregard
it; may State-shs may even withdraw the
first pable infraction of the Constitution, seriously
threatening the interests of her people, and would
he justihable both by the spirit well the letter
OF that compact yet before she can be justified, in
moral point of view, (and it is in this light now
present i) she must resort to all means in her pow
er, consistent with her sefsecury, before she edu-
ces TO practice this admitted right.
| Has then Congress perverted and abused the
power conided to her result in the injury
and oppression of the people of North Carolina Ii
she has moi. no man contends for secession; but if
she has, this very abuse has given birth the exer-
else Of the right; and the next question is, should
it be at this time resorted 1t should be resored
to, provided you have rs exhausted all the honorable
means at your disposal. Thinking that you have not,
We should make more-and if that be disregarded
/ last effort.
1t is rne that you have again and again remonstra
ted against unconstitutional enactmens, and again
and still again have they been pressed upon YOU No
I
did you most solemnly resolve that the enactment
of any law which shall abolish slavery or tie Stare
trade in the district of Columbia shall directly or
indirectly deprive The citizens of the States of this
right of emgrating with their slave property into
any of the Territories of the United States, and of
exercising ownership over the same, while in said
territories, will be an act not only of gross injustice
and wrong, but the exercise Of power contrary the
true meaning and spirit of the constitution
| These resolutions passed both houses by nearly
unanimous vote and were laid before the Congress
of the United States. Were they needed No, ell
tireiy disregarded. And why For the simple rea-
aon thai the South has been sensitive so ultra and
jealous, and witha scolded much, that The " an
KEGS began TO think that like barking dog you would
not bite and so it was.
And it may be said, and seriously fear will be,
that even though you should now take the still high
or ground, that you would Withdraw from the Union,
that it would be productive Of other effect (unless
1t should be the unanimous sentiment of the whole
State,) than to make them still Z" laugh your ca
lamity, and mock whsD your fear coneth. -
Nevertheless. it is duty which you owe to every
thing sacred-to yourselves, the Sats, and to the
South-:o the peace and the security of the domestic
hearth, a ancestry, and to kindred blood,
that you speak out.
Yes, you it to the very American name which
awakens many pleasing "reminiscences, and comes
down hallowed by many kindred associations But
much will depend upon the manner in which you do
speak. Recollect that the difficulties which
round more alarming than at any previous
time for have not only to contend with the free
soil spirit Of Congress (whose encroachments we
have hitherto too long submitted to) but have
likewise TO make Roadway against public sentiment
at the orth, which to set at defiance the only
part of the compromise that enured the benefit of
the South Nay, than this, if possible; for we
seriously fear that The very Government which is
looked for protection, with all its gigantic
ces. is physically incapable of giving relief long
as the Northern sentiment shall remain vitiated
and corrupt. Now it is perfectly mmaterid to you.
where the wrong Is, that the wrong exists, and is
of such seriously to affect your prospe-
ry. If the Legislation of Congress, to the resto-
ration of your slaves be enforced at the Norh
for the reason, has been alledged by her pro-
minent that it not in conformity to, and in
coincidence with the known and established princi-
plies Of their respective State Constitutions, guaran
teeing the right Of trial by jury, it is just
plete notification of the act, would be refusal
of the Executive to enforce it.
The only difference is that you should bear the
former much longer than the latter, than any far
Their aggressons by the general government. There
is way for you to reach this their recreancy to
pghted faith, without embarrassing too much your
own people.
Make war upon them you cannot, for that is for
bdden conhscate their property you will not Tor that
is beneath you, and should only be resorted to when
every thing else has failed. Neither per-
fecty certain that you have the constitutional right
to resort to the impost or adyalorem duty of which
you speak, particularly the shape which 1t is made
TO assume. If the impost advalorem tax can be
imposed at all Got which there can be no doubD it is
limited in its extent to the per cent required to
one per cent. We propose to discuss this right, in
the next number. PEDEE.
BREvIrY IN WoMAN. We find in California d.