Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-06-12
Extremes Meeting.

he advocacy Of any sentiment or principle,
however correct, is always sure to create some
opposition, upon the same principle that the
most absurd idea that is capable of being prop
agated, finds more or less supporters. The
human mind is so constituted that diversity of
sentiment must exist, and if not produced nat
nrally or nationally, it will be created artif-
cially, and superstitiously. Thus, an &C
acknowledgement of truth may serve as the start
ing point for minds TO diverge. even as the
Scriptures serve as the basis for contradictory
and radically opposing doctrines.
There is no better evidence of radical de-
feet in the reasonings and positions Of two ex-
IRENE or opposite parties. than when those eX-
tremes meet, an event which has at last oc-
CURED between the two opposite sentiments in
our country, which may be denomnaied as the
northern and southern sentiment
Opposition 10 the institution of slavery, we
have every reason to believe, was very general
at one time, as well in the slaveholding states,
as in the free. In the Conventions which re-
suited in our confederacy, there were no opol-
egists Of slavery, abstractly-it was regarded
as an existing institution that must be tolerat-
ed for the reason that il could not be got rid
of, and denunciatons of ii at that time, were
principally confined 10 the delegates of slave
holding states. And il was not until this SEN
hment began 10 be manifested at the North.
when the South was thrown upon this defence,
that they sought to apologize or support it.
No, until the North began to make encroach
ments upon the peculiar institution Of the
South, did Mr.. Calhoun become its defender.
Not until the North began to adopt the senii-
ment of aversion TO slavery and 10 act thereon.
did the South change their position and assume
different attitude. The sentiment was no, So
hostile or dangerous when entertained by them
selves, as by others, but when adopted by 9TH
ers it assumed an unmistakable hostile charac-
Ter, which they found it necessary.t to repel.
But now the extremes, as we before remark
ed, seem at last TO have met. The Northern
agitators and the Southern ultraists have me,
on common platform and are uniting their
forces to accomplish the same oLject-a dissolu.
ZION Of the Union. We repeat that this is the
strongest evidence that can be produced tina,
they are both of the track, and that efforts ade.
quate 10 the energ ency are required to he put
forth by the sane portion of the community to
put them right again. Now let MS look a,
their respective positions.
For the sentiments of the extremists of The
South, we take the views recently put fa,rtf
by Mr.. Rhett, of South Carolina, at the South
ern Rights Association. He goes in for seces
sion, at all hazards, but Mississippi, he says
will not 60 out Of the Union with South Caro-
lima, but will help the cause of secession by re
naming in the Union-ihe final object being
the secession of more than single state. NJ
Southern state will now cooperate with Souti
carolina. There will be no Southern Con
gress. Sister states all decline the invitation
but he seeks their sympathy, though he woulc
refuse their counsel. He says a Southern
Congress would ruin their cause 1t woule
advise submission, and for that reason such ;
movement may yet be insiigated by the admin
istration at Washington. Those who have
been in favor of joint secession must nov
choose either the secession of South Carolin;
alone, or join the Union party POI rf7.tf'
And he proceeds tn state some Of the con.e
qnences. There would be free trade with al
the states South of the Potomac. Or impor
tations fum the other states and other eonn
tries. he would levy not exceeding ten per cent
od valorm,. And he infers that foreign good
in Charleston would be twenty per cent
cheaper than in the ports Of The Union. Im
portatons will be made from Liverpool ant
Havre instead of New York and Boston
Merchants from the interior will make thei
purchases in Charleston. Relations OF. amity
will continue with the Southern states, aud ;
trade be carried on as it now is on the fryntie
OF Canada. i0cgtsghl d. arq1 n, sfIF
10 the objection Of a blockade, he answer,
that blockade is a humbae.9 Where there i.
awill there is way. If war is made upon
thegs, they will fight. II other nations do no.
ioin in the esntess, and South Carolina is made