The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-29

late, rapidly tended to bring upon Us that I'M
happy geographical division OF partiea, sgains
which, as Taught with danger To the Uuion, Z .,
country long since received an impressive warn
ing. We lam Mt that any excuse for such d.
vision should be found Ia the past action Of fed
eral legislation; d we indulge the hope, thai
IN its recent measures, commonly known IA The
compromise, We may re- .Iizc the covenant which
Is to terminate the strife that has largely
trbuted to exasperate, and [, render alien To
eaci, other those who ought 10 be bound TO-
gethrr bv fraternal affection"
w list candpr compeIs US to admit that those
measures are not, in ell respects what we could
desire, We vet do not hesitate to declare that we
perceive in them nothing tyrannical. nor degrad
ing, nor oppressive, TO any portion Of the con-
frderacy; nothing but what every patriot miy
consistently sanction; and as a compromise OF
conflicting opinions al settlement of an angry
sectional controversy, threatening in its fury the
Union itself, we think they commend themselves
to universal support.
Amongst these measures, that which was de-
signed to facilitate the recovery of fugitive
slaves has alone excited any considerable oppo-
sition. II is the only one that requires active
exertion to enforce it, The others have received
the appreciation Of the States whom they mme-
diately concern, and are Of a nature TO execute
themselves We view all distractions to the
execution Of this law, whether on the part of
States or individuals, as destructive of the fun
damental principles Of our Union, and as Of
fatal tendency. We consider the Constitution
ns obligatory on State legislation, and we con
slider it the duty of every individual to obey the
established government. We therefore hold it
to be the duty Of the federal authorities to en-
force, by all the constitutional means at their
command, the observance OF this law.
In making this declaration, we must not be
understood to intimate any distrust OF those to
whom the nation has c0nfded the administration
Of its affairs; on the contrary, we take pleasure
in bearing testimony to the entire fathtulness
with which their high duties have, thus far, been
performed. Upon their continuing, in any en-
ergencv, to act with the same good sense, firm
ness, and patriotism, we place the most un-
dolbted reliance
AS Wings, we congratulate our party and the
country on the entire fulilment Of the Wing
assurances. during the last Presidential canvass,
that Mr.. Fillmore would prove sound on the
questions that affect Southern safety. Ofcourse,
we may equally congratulate them on tho falsi6-
cation Of the injurious predictions and accusa-
tons so boldly and Unfortunately made against
him by his adversaries. His patriotic perform
ance of his high duties his wise, right, and firm
conduct under every difficulty, have indicated
our faith in him, and endeared him to all good
citizens. In his hands the Fugitive slave. law
will be faithfully executed, and all combinations
and associations from whatever causes proceed
ing to defeat It, will BE- disappointed of their
purp )se We rejoice tn believe that in this
- ~ g ed
eminent to accomplish the purposes of justice,
enforce obedience to, its authority, and in all
things fulfil the expectation Of i!s founders, will
be demonstrated in manner that cannot fail
more strongly to cement the bonds Of The Union,
and convince its enemies of the utter futility OF
all attempts to accomplish its dissolution.
Already has the controversy concerning sla-
very-which, upon the disposal of our acquisi-
tons from Mexico, assumed such portentous
magnitude to create an exclusively Sec
tional aspect. Ga our part, acquiescence in tenn
perate councils, and submission to moderate
demands, have excited to action the consider
ate and p;troiic of our felow-ctizens Of the
free States: and, accordingly. we find the EXIST
ing contention removed from our midst to other
theatres more appropriate to the mad fury that
has produced and feeds it.
If Mt once the entire body of the Northern
and Northwestern Stafes-the great ovcrruline
mass of their educated populatiop--has n ( re-
>umei It's duty, is senses. and the feelings
which. in nobler DAYS. made MS all one, North
aud South. in spite of slavery. rs involuntary To
ns now ~ then, there j. one grave excuse for
that fact which all should recognize. Ii is this
that wild political theories, captivating rs long as
untried are abroad over the entire civilizai world
red repuhlicanism and communism in France
The like in Germany and Italy; chartisn in Eng
land. The Sudden opinions peculiar to the
ahv, all possess the singular Characteristic OF
being Jealous and extreme, in proportion n
they are new. Like chaif in ev-rv thing, they
are like it in this: that they mus. blaze in order
10 burn at all. Ideal doctrines Of liberty, per-
sonal and political, rs limitess as mprescript-
ibIe, prevail everywhere From Europe, and
especially England, they had some time ago
spread to the Northern States of this Union
but merely as n speculation, an idea, until dem
agogues--far more criminal in this matter than
fanatics-saw an opportunity Of working to theil
personal or party profit the unopened mine Of
these notions. They fattered, they heated them
and drew them into politics.
Parties were so nearly on the equpoise, that
tire 'iberty men," the Abotionists, were enough
to turn the scale either way OF course, a com
petition of both parties for them began. Will
their political Importance swelled their numbers
and their zeal. That zeal of course excited IL
an opposite quarter an opposite doctrine anc
zeal equally strong, ard popular feeling of the
South, which in its turn became a passion anc
monomania capable of being made TO tell il
elections; and demagogusm began to cherish
and to inhame it, just as it was doing, under ar
opposite name, in the North. In word n grea
part Of the guilt of t.ese ultrsisms, of these dis
scpsions, lies with politicians and parties. They
were one of the ills that are ever attendant upor
free institutions and governments of opinion
The wise will bear them with patience and trea
them with moderation az things which, being
very hot, must be allowed some time TO coo
again, even when the bows of political incen
diarism have been made to cease blowing th,
Goals under them. Confiding, nevertheless, IL
the fraternal feelings and sober patriotism o.
the masses Of our sister States, We have it'll,
misrust of the eventful termination of the con
nct; and with hearty and entire devotion &c
our institutions, witnessing the gradual dissipa
ton of nil sectional Influences, we cordially hail
a. hrotbors NJ opn Hood tho co,p,uu rostorofio,