Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-15
Address of Col. Boysin. Of Mobile, Ala.


The topic presented to the Southern people at
this iuncture is of such momentous character as
to swallow up all minor differences of political opn-
ion, and resolve itself into question of self pre-
servatien. National Wing platforms or Demo-
cratic platforms cannot be constructed of such ca
pacious dimensions as to enable the respective par
tiesto stand tremendously together. Vital ques-
TONS going to the safety of property and to the
security of homes erect barriers against such a
partisan cohesion. Southern Wings and Southern
Democrats must first wave the instincts peculiar
to man, and acknowledge the supremacy of purity
rule over the laws of Justice and honor before
they can coalesce with materials so dscordant and
hostile The DEGREES of human nature forbid the
congenlal union of parties when the one is seeking
the subJugatIon of the other The structure OF
political compacts pre-supposes equality among the
parties contracting, and any disturbance of this
equality interrupts the relations established by the
compact, and throws upon Its members the respon-
slbllty OF violating its terms. On this fundamt IL
tai question, the South is ready to place the issue,
and to abide the award
From the commencement of this confederacy of
equal sovereignties, the Southern States have been
true to the constitutional bond of its union. No
charge to the contrary has been brought against
them. But how has it been with the Northern
States :? The barrenness of its soil and the nhos-
pltalltyof It's climate have sought relief and sup
port III those superior natural advantages which
God has vouchsafed to the Southern section
Government aid and protection have been success
fully invoked to equalize physical distinctions
But did it stop here ? So far from this being the
case, the power of the Federal Government has
been employed and directed to make the one por-
uon OF the confederacy support and enrich the
bther. In spite, however, of unequal and unjust
legislation, the South has prospered. Contribu-
IionS to be sure, have diminished her wealth, but
still she has managed to stand the levy and thrive
The North presuming upon our further capacity
to pay tribute and to live, and upon our willing
ness to yield obedience to her exactons has pushed
her demands to point which involves our very
destiny.
These demands bring us soberly to ask the ques-
ton, has the South cause for alarm ? Are her
institutions in danger? A few facts viii serve to
these questions
Within the short period Of sixteen years the
spirit of abolition has grown from handful of ia
Mates to organized army composed of men of
power and influence. So rapid has been its rise
and progress that it controls the policy of our
government and threatens entire revolution in its
political, religious, and social organization Strik
ing at the basis of the constitutional compact it
carries in its principles the elements of destruction.
Religious bigotry and political fanatcism have uni
ted to prosecute an exterminatn0 war against
slavery in the Southern States; the battle cry is
that slavery is a sin earth, and crime against
God and that the work of reform must go steadily
forward until the earth shall have been purged of
this pollution, and Deity appeased. Protesting to
be bound BY obligations higher than the Consttu-
ton ITSELF their standard of action is above legis
htive restraints. In vain are constitutional barri-
set up against their progress. In vain are So
lemn compactS appealed to as binding. In vain
are the dire consequences to which their acts tend
pointed out and made manifest. So great has been
the impulse which the progress of abolition has re-
eeived, and expansive and powerful has it grown
that its proportions are now so vast as to over
shadow all other questions. At the North all ages
sexes and condtions-aI creeds and denominations
deeply embued with its spirit. 1t is the rubric
of their religion their politics and their literature
and by these influences it threatens to bring the
Southern States under its sway, regardless of con-
1.c Fl these facts, and the dangers
which they portend, we ought not to be lnsenslble
Lamentabe, however, is the admission that many
are disposed to 90 on their way rejoicing, imagn
inc that airs ueE-all is peace and safety. This
delusion admirably serves our enemies. 1t enables
them the more successfully to accomplish their
purposes by quietly drawing the web OF their
policy around US.
Unfortunately for the South the character and
influence of these abotionists have not been prop
erly estimated. Few men ever supposed that they
would have accomplished SO much in so short
time At first their work was done under mask.
are prosecuted with boldness, despatch and an
efficiency which show that they feel their strength
and are determined to make us feel it too. The
triumphs of the past their heralds of the flu
ture. They have succeeded in excluding slavery
from all the Mexican acquisitions, and surround
ing the slave States with Gordon of free States
they have succeeded in destroying the political
equality of the Southern States, and weakening
the securities of Institutions; they have pract-
cally engrafted the principles of their odious Will
mot Proviso upon the legislation of the country
Forms with them are of little consequence when
the end can be readily obtained in one shape as
another. The slave trade has been abolished in
the District of Columbia. This sets up another
landmark directing the way to a kindred measure
the abolition of slavery itself within the District
Abolished there and excluded from all the terrific
res, will the abolitionists stop half way in their
work Is there anything in their history to in
duce to believe they will? Strengthened in their
position and eager to their ''honest purposes
consummated in glorious victory, the next blow
will be struck at the abolition of slavery in the
States themselves Meantime the South is advis-
ed to be passive and indifferent to what is occurring
If she continues to slumber her doom is already
recorded.
1t would be well for Southern men to contem-
plate the consequences which will flow from the
movements of the abotlhonists and free-soilers,
unless checked In some way other. Nothing
short of the entire abolition of slavery in the South
it may be fairly assumed, will satisfy them. In
deed for this have their often repeated declara-
tons and conclusive evidence of their sincerity
of purpose is not wanting? In such an event. |
what would be the condition of things in the slave
holding States. The picture, even in water colors
is frightful to look upon In these States, there