The southern press., 1851-10-29
The Result In south Carolina.


election in South Carolina We find that they
generally regard it as the end of Southern re-
sistance to the compromise, and, in fact, as a
final overthrow of the right of secession, and of
all practical resistance to federal usurpation. All
this is mistake.
We never supposed that the separate seces-
sion of South Carolina was very probable
event-nor were we ever satisfied that it was
wise policy Indeed, we have at no time ex-
pected dissolution of the Union to result from
the compromise, although we think that measure
would have justified it. We supposed that if
two more Southern States had declared their
determination to secede unless the compromise
was abandoned, and the territorial rights Of the
South respected that the federal government
would have receded And we think the South
has committed irretrievable blunder in not
making that issue. As for South Carolina her
position remains widely different from that of
the other Southern States. She is still pledged
to secession whilst the compromise cndurcs, but
reserves to herself the determination of the time
and mode in future, but is ready to act whenever
Thus, one State of the Union has been thor.
oughly alienated, and very powerful minorities
in several others. And many of the Southern
States profess to be ready for disruption on
the occurrence of further aggressions, which
probably will occur 1t is needless to repeat
what we have often said, (particuarly now, after
what has transpired.) that we have very little
confidence in these disruptive pledges. Ger
tainy, if the compromise can be not only en-
dured, but accepted gracefully" honorably,
cheerfully, loyalty, there is little reason to expect
resistance in half dozen supposable cases of
far inferior enormity.
But the most important result of the late dis
cussions is, the development of large and pow
erful body of men who have the sagacity and
independence to calculate the value of the Union
not only financially, but politically, socially, and
morally-and who are ready to act according to
their convictions. This party is not predominant
IN any State but South Carolina. But it is much
more powerful Il an any Of the parties was origi-
nally that asserted what are now the settled doe
trines of the country on its most important in
terests. The present systems of currency and
taxation were at the beginning (and that only
about eighteen or twenty years ago,) much less
supported by numbers or talent. And it is re-
markabe that they originated in the very region,
and among the very sort of men who now as
sert the rights of the South. And It is equally
remarkable that they were then denounced by
the very sama man that ara noun foror,ost l., A.,
nouncing the present assertion of Southern
rights, and denounced in almost the same words. ).
Why, when the removal of the deposits was
made from the United States Bank and also
when the government was finally divorced from
all banks, there were denuncatons and predic
tons of ruin and desolatioD quite equal to what
we are now told would be sure TO happen if the
Union were dissolved Nay, those measures
were distinctly pronounced to be revolutionary
Mr.. CLAY said we were in the midst of a revou
tion-bloodless as yet So that it is no new
thing for Mr.. Clay to use violent language, and
to indulge in extravagant predictions of the con-
sequences of disregarding his plans; but it would
be rather new for his prophecies TO be fulfilled
Mr. WEBSTER told US also on that occasion, as
an excuse for making a speech in Baltimore on
Sunday, that there were no sabba,hs in revolu-
tionary times. And he evidently thinks that
there would be no sabbaths if the Union were
dissolved. If, therefore, we Judge the fu.
ture from the past, and consider the many
analogies that present themselves, we have
no room for encouragement The sentiment
of the State Rights party is neither transient
nor trivial. On the contrary, recent and ccmng
events will deveIope its necessity.
After the perpetration of such deed as the
compromise, the standard of public morality
must fall 80 low as TO invite other attempts of
similar character To aequiesce in the compro-
mise, is TO acquesce in principle and precedent
pregnant with every enormity, and threatening
every inter est. 1t will whet the appetite for
spoils to such a voracty, that the robbers them.
selves will fall out and turn upon one another.
Already is this tendency distinctly visible We
observe that the late Democratic meeting at
Tammany Hall pronounced for distribution of
the public lands 10 actual settlers and this policy
has been sanctioned by Mr.. WEBSTER. This |
will destroy the value of The public domain; and |
although its worst effects will be visited on the
South, it is also an act Of spoliaion on the sea
board Sites Of the North.
But whatever may come-whether the decline
and fall Of the Union can be averted or whether
it proceed with slow or rapid progress-it is
the duty and interest of all who have principle |
and prop' rty, TO resist and retard its abuses The
pursuit of an honest policy and its vndication |
by such abilities as The Southern party possesses
will always exert potential effect on public af-
fairs. The change Of few thousand votes in
Georgia Alabama Mississippi, will bring them
all to the side of South Carolina, together with
Florida, Texas, and Arkansas And when these
States make an honest demand of the federal
government, that demand will be respected As
for the labor and time which the struggle will
require, they are the price which must always be
paid Tor the attainment or preservation of rights,