The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-24


Fr3M ne Riehmosd Enquirer
VAGINA AID SourH CARoLIsA--Ws did not
know, until yesterdays paper went 10 press. that
the resolutions of Dir. Scott Of Fsnquier, which
we publish to day, were presented to the House
Of Delegates on Thursday evening. We shall
not discuss them now-for last evening, after
an animated discussion, they were most properly
referred. by vote of "a to 81, TO committees
of 10, who will report in few days. A long
and excited and eloquent debate took place on
Mr.. Flournoy's motion Of reference, which was
sustained by Messrs. f., Jones, Crutchfeld,
Johnson, Campbell, Martz and Stoval, and was
opposed by Messrs. Scott of F., Boiling, Scott
of p, and Ferguson.
Mr.. Scott of f., admitted that the resolutions
had been concocted in Wing caucus--(he dis
claimed the word caucus" but said they were
" concocted" by the Whigs)-in his usual impe-
rious manner, rebukcd the Democrats for not
having acted or desired to net on the subject
and complained that they were not willing to
swallow his resolutions entire, in the House.
when they simply asked that they should be
referred to committee, 80 as to harm0nze
views, and shape resolutions in such form as
to satisfy all. Another strong reason why the
resolutions should have been referred, was that
the committee might consider the propriety of
sending commissioners to mediate with South
Carolina--a measure which We regard of the ut
most moment, and which we solemnly commend
to the committee and to the Legislature.
In spite of the false issues attempted to be
raised by Mr.. Scott, the Democracy of the House
can stand safely and properyon common ground.
All these speakers declared themselves prepared
to acquiesce- in the past action of Congress-, to
resist further aggressions and to appeal to South
IN abandon for fha
and prevent rupture Of the Union. Upon this
ground they will continue to stand and will ex-
press the voice of Virginia. We hope to see
the Wing party occupy the same ground.
| That Virginias mediation will induce South
| Carolina to pause, we cannot doubt There is
much truth and force in the following views of
| the Raleigh Standard-and South Carolina can
not disregard the united voice of Virginia, North
Carolina, Georgia, &c.
9The result of the elections in South Carolina
shows that vast majority of her people are in
favor of the right of secession, and also separate
State action by the convention which is to as
semble within the next twelve months. Wehad
hoped that South Carolina would acquiesce in
the late so-called adjustment and we believe she
finally will, provided the Fugitive slave law is
enforced, that free States above mentioned will
repeal their laws on the subject, and the agita-
ton of the questiontself shall cease in Congress.
We trust she will wait, and abide the action of
her sister Southern States. 1t is true that, il
with her, and with her great statesman now no
more, all the slave States had stood forward in
time and as one man for their rights, this day of
abolition aggression and fanatcism had never
been; but STILL it behooves her to remember
that Virginia, North Carolina, Georl ia, and the
rest of the slave States possess interests and
| feelings identical with her own, and that the
policy which threatens her, overshadows them
also with its baleful wing Once taken, the step
which dissolves this Union can never be re-
tracted.
"The cause for such a step ought to be concu-
sve. Not that "ntolerable oppression" is to be
waited for, for that is not within the range of
probabilities in a government and among peo-
Pile like ours; but all reasonable ground of hope
for returning justice must depart, and dishonor
and ruin mnst rise up before us Is inevitable,
before any State can be justified in severing the
bonds. 1t makes no difference to a people
! worthy of freedom, whether this dishonor and
this ruin be near or distant from them; if it be
certain, the question is settled. Are these
things, then, certain! We think not There is
still ground for hope the free States may en-
force the Fugitive slave law; they may repeal
their statutes intended to operate against US, and
which were enacted in open disregard of the
Constitution; they may cease rs States and in
the common Congress, to NEEDLE with slavery
or to agitate upon it, But, in the language of
Mr.. Paulding, "Time Das-tme is-but time
will soon be no more."
South Carolina may move of by her self, but
she nevertheless knows-no matter how serious
and grievous her error in so doing-that she will
have allies and helpers. The military power of
this federal government will, in all probab lity
be welded against her. Her ports will be
blockaded, and her citizens slaughtered-and
what then! We say this is probable-and rohat
hen1 The slave States will sympathize with
her, and as the blood of her sons smokes up to
Heaven, crying for vengeance they will rush to
her Defence and we shall then have an irregular
civil war, fearful and cruel, and war of which
no man can foretel the end. If dissolution must
come If the free States UiH have it so, let the
slave States unite and go off together. In that
event, it is hardly probable that blood would be
shed, but the two sections, being nearly equally
balanced in numbers and in physical strength
might agree to part in peace"