The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-12


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Ex- The Richmond Republican devotes
nearly q column Of commentary to the follow
;,o massage in the Southern Press of the 4th
instant
81 Although this 10 the anniversary Of the most
memorable act of secession and disunion that
the world ever knew, we expect TO hear of more
defamation against the principles of '76, against
the right of people to alter or reform their 60
vermont ut pleasure, than ever was heard of be-
fore. The folly and infatuation ola Lord North
caused that disunion. We have Lord North
nOw|
The Republican wishes to know who are the
people who wish to alter the government, and
whether South Carolina is the people, and saws
the other Southern States do not desire to
change the government 1t says that South
Carolina complains not 80 much Of what the
federal government has done as what she fears
it may do; and that neither the principles of
'76, nor of '9s, have any sort Of application to
the right Of secession.
The Republican says that in '76 there was an
electric burst of patriotism from North to South,
from Boston to Richmond and South Carolina
and asks whether South Carolina is the only
State that inherits the blood Of nc, and says
that the other States are ready, in case of such
injustice as that Of '76, to fly to arms.
Well, we are happy to answer any and all Of
these questions and suggestions.
people in the political and constitutional
sense, is I'm organized community, and in our
country is sovereign. Such are the people Of
each State. According to onr institutions we
know no other people. There is no such thing
politically or constitutionally, as people or the
people of the United States. No such people
is known to our laws or our government. No
such people over perform any political act, nor
has it ever done so.
If therefore the people Of State desire to
change their government whether State or fed
deral, they have the right according to the prin-
ciples aud precedents Of TO For at that time
Independence was declared and constitutions
were formed, and confederacy adopted all by
the people of each State acting for themselves
or by their own delegates, and thereby binding
only themselves.
1t is true that in '76 the several States did
not determine on Independence without some
cooperation, but they did not make it indspen-
sable. They acted without the cooperation of
the Canadas OF Nova Scotia, or of New Bruins
wick, and on the same principle they might have
acted with out the cooperation of Massachusetts,
New York or Virginia. But if we understand
the Republican, Virginia and South Carolina had
no right to act without the concurrence of Mas
sachusetts and New York, which is too absurd
to require an answer
The Republican asserts that all the States, al
the Southern States ut least, are as patriotic ant
sagaciors IA South Carolina. Comparisons ar
odous.
South Carolina is more deeply concerned i
the slavery question than any other State, fo
abe has larger proportion of slaves. IfNorther
fanaticism and aggression, prevail she would b
the first and the deepest sufferer. She cannot wal
DO long as Virginia can, because Virginia has
larger proportion of whites to resist servile in
surrection. And if South Carolina is in more
immediate danger than Virginia, which nobody
can dispute, what folly is it to contend that she
il bound to wait until the imminence of Virginia
danger shall drive her TO resistance? If a Stat
is not to take care of her own institutions, o.
her domestic peace, and the lives of her people
what is State good for, and he who denies tbi.
right, what pretence has he to be considered as
Republican,
The Republican is not very proper nd
wiser of South Carolina. That paper supported
the resolutions of Virginia which announced
resistance to the Wilmot Proviso, or any equiv
alent measure Well, the compromise wa.
adopted, which was more than equivalent. Fo
it not only excluded the South practically from
all the territory acquired from Mexico but from
n vast region belonging to Texas. South Caro-.
lima without bravado, calmly adopted the posi-
lion of Virginia, and pledged cooperation in
that resistance And now Virginia, instead of
supporting her declaration abandons it; and the
Republican. instead of Representing Virginia for
failing in that cooperation which herself in.
voked, condemns South Carolina for not CO.
operating with Virginia, in deserving their CON-
mon pledges, for not cooperating in submission
If there has been precipitancy, who is response.
BILE? 1t is not for the State which first asked
for cooperation, and when ii was given failed in
hsr own engagements, and now leaves her ally
to the power Of the common enemy.
The Republican boasts of what Virginia will
be ready to do, if lime ever comes for doing
any thing. But we have had enough of boasts
and promises, of pledges and resolutions They
are now at too great discount to be current.
~ The President has approved the decis-
sion Of The court martial, Acquiring Col. TAI
CoTT Of all the charges preferred against him
ILLNrsa OF Mr. CoorER.-The New York Pos
says the report of the dangerous illness of Mr.