The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-11

almost forced to retire from the field, which be
has recently abandoned.
The onion, at this very time, Is subject to
this same exercise Of the balance Of power by
the conductors Of the GLOBE, and It Will require
all the sagacty and energy of Major DonelsOn
to splinter and break up an opposition that
hitherto has been 80 troublesome. Messrs.
Blair a. Rives are like dogs in the manger TO-.
wards the Union and the Intelligencer. They
stall but, whenever they perceive job on which
their rivals feed, they will bark, and worry, and
create confusion, as they have done ever since
they took their position. Major Donelson will
have to keep sharp look out for them, for they
are very watchfu and expert in the business,
which they we'll understand
The only two papers in Washington, however,
at the present time, which have an independent
foundation, and are really of spirit or force, are
the Southern Press and the National Era. The
former ia devoted to secession and the interests
of the South, and is particularly Jealous in
meeting the stream from the North which is
turned against the cotton fields of the Southern
States. The latter is conducted with better
business principles, after the Northern style of
publishing, than any other, but il cannot long
exist in It's present shape. because the cause
which IL adyocates-rank Abclitionism--
fall to the ground if the Union lasts. The
Southern Press, if it only had common sense,
appears to be in the best condition, and to be in
fair way for permanent usetulness, by uniting
all the South into constitutional movement.
II has in it the materials Of an Independent ex.
istence---a frank and manly avowal of opinions
without which no journal however great its
patronage can become Of any use to those who
find favor with il. No journal can gain popu-
larity or power unless it comments freely on
the action of Congress and the Executive Ii
ia the extreme Of folly for journaists--as the
Washington ones have done---to depend on the
heeting issues of the day and on uncertain polit-
ical events and party votes
In very truth, all the Washington journals
must continue, even under any possible i'm
provements adopted to save them, to diminish
in circulation and influence. Att present day
New York, Paris, London, or some great metro.
polls, is as necessary to the existence of great
independent journal, as the earth is to the fruits
of the field. The telegraph has now consol-
dating power over news, which naturally flies
to the great commercial centres, and blow after
blow is given, day after day, to all journals pub
lished in remote districts. The Washington
papers are really becoming mere local VILLAGE
sheets. The rapid strides of the New York
press are leading to great revolution, and de-
bates in Congress, and all the important infor-
nation from the departments at Washington,
will be published now in New York, before they
can be put into type in Washington. We have
already given many evidences of this truth, but
the future will be marked by an increased mo-
mentum, every day multiplying its strength, till
Washington newspaper of the present day
will be curiosity Of the past All that the
country will require will be journal printed at
the expense Of the government which, in con.
venient form, will contain the debates of Con.
gress and the official bulletins of the govern
ment. As for editorial opinions, they have
never amounted to any thing, and can well be
spared with all the other old numbering machin-
cry. We shall be happy to give notice when
the types, presses, and dead stock of the Wash
ington journals are for sale that the new villages
in Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico may have a
fair chance to purchase, for the benefit of the
village newspapers in those fourishing regions
eV We have already laid before our readers
several of the letters written by distinguished
Southern gentlemen, in reply to invitation.
to the QUITMAN festival at Jackson, Missis
sippi. We append two more this morning
from two true sons of "Old Virginia" Gen
GORDON, and Judge BEVERLY TUCKER
We need not recommend them to our readers
the names of the writer's will be sufficient te
vouch for the interest of their contents.
FROM HON. w. F. GORDON
ALBERMARLE, Va, May A, 1851.
To Messrs c. s. Idrpiey, Geo. T. Seam, ID
N. Barro'os, f. Barksdale, G. b. Green:
GENTLEMEN Il had the honor to receive. or
the I'd instant, your invitation to a barbecue, tc
be given at the city of Jackson, on the l4th O
May, in honor of your distinguished fellow cti
zen, Gen. John A. Qutman, and in support Of
Southern rights. Were it possible, which, from
circumstances, it is not, to be present at you
festival, il would afford me high qualification, il
associating with the citizens of Mississippi, ant
the eminent men expected from other States, t.
render honor to your illustrious countryman,
| hero without fear and above reproach
| should greatly rejoice to meet and act will
you all, in the support of Southern rights, or tn,
avenging in some form, Of Southern wrongs.
| The Southern States and people have found
| to their cost, that the unlimited power Of the
federal Constitution particularly those of tn,
purse and the sword, as predicted by Henry
have absolved the limitation and reservation in
tended for their protection, and aided by swarmi
of officers, paid by the federal government, ant
by its power the government has been converted
into a numerical despotism which, has thrown
us out Of the pale of the Constitution, and mad,
underings of us all. For an offence. not here
tofore existing, and unknown TO the Constitu
ton, they have affixed as penalty, the actua
emancipation of our slaves, in our common ter
ritory at the seat Of government. A sovereign
Southern State has been dismembered, not b,
the brandished sword, but by federal gold, wrun!
from the reluctant power of Southern labor, b,
varied indirections, and made subscrvient to tn,
circumvention and degradation Of all the slave
holding States. As punishment for the crime
Of being hereditary shareholders, all our real es
tate in territories, has been conGscated to tn,
uses of our oppressors, and every STAKEHOLDER il
prescribed and exiled from the public domain
The government, intended as shield for ou
protection, has been converted into sword TO
our destruction, and to fill to the brim the bite
cup of our humiliation, in many of our State,
A