The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-14

an abTldgment oil the liberties they now ENJOY.
BY our extracts from the South Carolina pa
pers our realDsrs have been already put in pos
session of the views of Mr. Butler, Mr.. Burt and
others who object only to the proposed form of
what they continue to consider as meritorious
resistance to alleged continued aggression by
the general government, as well as of the senti-
ments of Mr.. Poinsett and others who protest
against all unconstitutional means of redressing
any wrongs of the State that have real ex-
istence Our purpose to-day, as~it will be in
future papers under the same head, is to add to
what has been already published on this subject
such further extracts as we here subjoin from
South Carolina papers, as may serve to keep
our readers advised of the actual condition of
things in that State in regard to what is there
termed its "federal relations"
~ A few months since the Union-under
its late editor disparagingly alluded to our
course Interference to the vast interest in which
the welfare and prosperity of the South is so
indssolubly bound up, as (" sheer devotion to
slavery" and as such, it assumed to apply the
same reproving denunciations as it did to the
9 sheer hatred of slavery" evinced in the columns
of the National Era, in its warfare on that in
stitution.
This unjust and injurious parallel was imme'
diatey made use of by the Northern compro-
misers, and the pretext of coalition between
g the extremes" to defeat the moderate men of
both parties" was made " the masked battery,
behind which the rights of the South were as
sailed
Had the Union, and those whose organ it was.
devotedly and uncompromisingy persisted in
demanding for the South an equal participation
and protection in the common territory OF the
State~-simpe justice n lera common govern
ment-the late compromise Of the Constitution,
and of Southern rights, might never have
passed even through the forms of congressional
sanction.
This might have been the consequence of its
then displaying as " sheer devotion" to this in
terest as the Southern Press, which, unhappily,
it would not, and dared not do.
While w have so important an interest to
protect in Inc confederacy against the destruc-
tive aggressions Of its adversaries, we shall be
very apt to exhibit, on all proper OCCASIONS that
singie-hearted g devotion" in its defence that we
would 10 our own hearth-stone. But when we
have superadded the rights of the States-nay,
the very existence of the Union-resting and
depending on its safety and security, still
stronger is the motive for such devotion"
We will save the superstructure if we can, in
its fair proportions, but il made TO overshadow
its base, it must inevitably fall with the weight
with which its pretended friends have encum-
bered il.
1t is self.evident that the protection Of the
rights and interests Of any Of our citizens in
negro-slavery, is eminen1y national" duty,
wherever the jurisdiction Of the federal govern
ment is exclusive. As much so as TO protect
the life, liberty or the property of its citizens of
any other description. II is as national" in all
its moral, social, POLITICAL or commercial aspects,
rs is cotton, rice, sugar, or tobacco planting, or
as are the interests of navigation or manufac-
lures. And hence, outside Of State Jurisdiction
il requires the aid Of federal law, as properly and
necessarily as any Of them.
Nor will its progress, thus cherished, infringe
upon the rights and interests Of that portion Of
our race and people in the non-slaveholding
States. Their system of society may find 10 The
South competitor in human development, but
not necessarily On antagonist. The hostility that
has been engendered there against the South
rests upon mere sentiment, and not upon any
substantial evidence Of evil. That sentiment
has been famed into powerful blaze for po-
litical purposes, hostile to The spirit Of union,
and destructive, in its tendencies of the interests
Of all. n is sentiment that, with mere show
of virtue,is designed to perpetrate avickedness
that must lead, not resisted, TO the most lament
able results. With most Of It's professors, how
ever, lis but huge Translation Of hypocrisy
used as sentiment TO cover purposes so vicious
and detrimental TO the general welfare Of man.
kind, that, when we hear so much Of Northern
sentiment" on this subject. we are tempted TO
exclaim, with Sir PErEE TEAzLE, d--n your
sentiment"
The ill-disguised fears Of some, and sneers Of
others, among 3 people nurtured amidst the in
stituiion, whatever may be the motive, Is a
thousand fold more dangerous to il than the d.
rect and open attacks Of those imbued with the
most embittered "hatred" Of it. They must
learn 10 evince1hore Of sheer devotion" to il,
IL they would successfully defend it against hos.
tile influences. They should quit borrowing
and adopting the opinions Of anti-slavery com
munites,. if they mean TO preserve the insttu-
ton, and hope for just equality with States
which repudiate it under the government They
must defend it per Sc, and never submit to have
Il dealt with as an evil tolerated through
mere sufferance or necessity, or p" cribbcd, cab
med, confined, until il can finally be entirely
compromised" away by our brethren Of the
North, aided and encouraged, If not instigated,
by the q achuescents" Of the South"
We regret to learn from the Richmond Wing
that Genera JOHN r. WALLACE, late marshal of
this District, and long member Of the bar, died