Southern standard., 1851-02-01
Sober Reflections.

ures III every county, as may enable the temperate
and moderate citizens of the State, who are oppo-
sed extremists all sides, to express their views
in the convention proposed to be held in Novem-
Der next.
We believe that large majority of the citizens
of this State, more approve of the compromise
forced upon us by the North at the last session of
Congress, whereby the South is again made the
victim of Northern fanaticism by her own folly,
than of the doctrines promulgated by seccssioniss
and revolutonists.
While we respect the spirit of devotion to the
rights of the South, evinced by the late message
of Gov Qutman and the address published by
Judge CLAYTON and others, and commend the
patriotism which inspired strong sense of the IL
Justice under which the South have long suffered,
we cannot commit ourselves to their doctrines
We fear they take counsel of their just Indignation,
rather than of their better judgments-their pru-
dence and their patriotism.
While we are unwilling to be instrumental in
producing rashly and imprudently state of things
by which lopportunity for the restoration ofrght,
justice and harmony, would be forever cut off, we
cannot still consent to denounce traitors, men
who, we know and feel when the day of trial shall
come, will be found among the truest, frmest,
most gallant spirits, that ever drew a blade, OF
bore weapon, in defence of the rights or honor
of free State
We recognize the right of secession as an origi-
nal, natural, right which human institutions cannot
take from us. 1t is designed for cases of intoera
BILE oppression, but it is right dependent on the
power to enforce it. The lawless mob that would
violate their oaths and the constitution to oppress
us, or deny our rights, when they have the pow
er, would never stop to respect investigate oul
natural rights unsupported by physical force
The right of secession therefore, so far as it is
practical question, depends on the power to sup
port it. 1t follows that if the evils of which we
now complain, intolerable at this time under
the decisions existing in the South, we should be
guilty of the most consummate folly, madly torush
on our own destruction and utter degradation by
attempting what we could not accomplish
Neither can agree with those whose purpose
is indicated by the popular name they have assum-
ed, Union Party.' Union of whom and for what
union of all opinions and all prnciples-of old
enemies and new natural allies -ofbroken down
politicians and aspirapts, to assist the North
In trampGng upon the constitutional rights of the
South, and each other in getting office? Or 3
Union of Missssppians and Southerncrs upon
principles looking to the protection of her rights
her honor, her sovereignty and equality under the
constitution. Is this consolidated Union,'' de-
stroying the integrity of the States or a Federal
Union, established by the people of the States un.
der Federal constitution, securing and rcservine
to the several States, all powers not specially en-
trusted to the Government they have created?
Taking the resolutions of their various meetings
the speeches of their orators, the principles advo
Gated by their writers and presses, and the ad
dresses of their committees, as indces and relia
bic exponents of their creed, we cannot approve
either of their principles or their object.
Frst-Because, to avoid the duties which tht
doctrine of State-rights and State sovereignty ne
cessarily devolves upon them, they endeavorins
to reestablish the consolidation doctrines of tht
monarchists and Federalsts of 1898 and the proc
lamations of 1882. In proof of this we quot,
from the Natchez Courier of 11th December so
81. The Senator objects to the declaration by th,
meeting, that the liberty we inherit is inseparab
from the Union-because, he says, the Union wa
the result of the liberty and independence of th
States. Specous deception! He knows, and VIII,
did he not acknowledge, that it was Congress o
United Colonies, that declared al United Colonies t.
be free and independent States?
owe, (says the immortal Declaration, the rep
resentatives of the UNITED STATES of America, il
General Congress assembled solemnly publish anc
declare, that these UNITED COLONIES are and, o
right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES.
"The freedom and independence of those Colo
nies sprung from their union, as much from thei
heroic patriotism. Without the former, the latte
would have been exerted in vain. Senator Dayi
knows that after those united colonies had declared
their independence, they entered into writer
compact, entitled tARTIcLEs OF CONFEDERATION
AND PERPETUAL UNION" but failed to reap the full
harvests of liberty, because that eonfederacy de
parted in its practice from the principle of the uni
ty of the people; that it was not until this falls
step had been corrected, and "a more perfect uon
established by 'sthe people of the United States,
in the formation of the present Constitution, tha
they experienced the full fruition of the ibert,
previously won. The Senator says that our liber
/ ty would be preserved, dissolution t,
take place. Delusive is the hope As well NIGH
we think that each individual stick of bundle o
faggots is strong in ITSELF because the whole bun
die can withstand the efforts of the man to breal
| it. Alas, the chds feeble power rendin twain
the former!''
| As a further proof we quote from Union O
Disunion,' pamphlet issued in this city in Octo
Der last ''by Southron," F." and endorsed by tn,
g Union press generally in this and other States
'The present government was framed and sen
out for ratification, not By the States or the Stat
legislatures but by the people of the States in