The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-14


ince Of New Mexico as body polite, and trans
fered that like other territory acquired, rs area
| to be aggregated or subdivided as the acquiring
power might select
| In this, and in the whole series of measures
there y to be traced the ruling, directing power
OF hostility to the slave institutions Of the South
The Southern men were permitted TO pass the
Fugitive slave bill, which being law to enforce
| in the North compliance with provision OF the
Constitution, should, us far as was necessary
have been rendered and sustained by Northern
members. Thus it might have enforced on
their constituents u respect which it has not re-
ceived. Whilst by the side Of this measure
stands the law in relation to the slave trade in
the District Of Columbia, Extensively discriminat-
ing against a particular species Of property,
placed by the Constitution on ut least an equal
footing with other property, and which was
equally protected by the government, in the ear
lest days Of the republic, when the equality of
the States and the equal privileges of their cti-
zens were rights practically enjoyed. That was
the day of fraternity, in contradislinction to Sec
tional strife before the pseudo philanthropy of
British teachers had been entered like wedge to
rend our Union asunder; when no American
statesman would have argued for a general law,
on the ground that it was demanded by foreign
or sectional sentiment; when patriotism would
have rebuked into silence the man who for such
considerations would have offended the sensi-
biIities, arragned the institutions, or invaded
the property rights of any portion Of our fellow.
citizens
If, then, and think it too apparent to admit
of an honest doubt, the section which has the
controlling power in the government, is hostile
to that species of property on which our CON-
mercial prosperity depends, and the disturbance
of which would involve us in total ruin and if
with the increase Of power there is growing
tendency to disregard the checks of the Consti-
tuition, the time has arrived when all who love
the Union of the Constitution, should unite to
throw an adequate shield over the minority,
before it is driven to seek in arms that protection
against an aggressive majority which the existing
forms of our government fail to afford.
The South needs, and has asked for nothing
more than the principles of the Constitution;
the rights and immunities the compact was
formed to make stable and secure; this much all
who recognize this as an Union of equals, with
powers conferred for the common benefit and
general tranquility are bound to accord, or stand
convicted of q wish to change the nature of our
government and binds US to an Union which is
not the Union. The fippant partzan, and the
satellite of power, may denounce all who claim
sufficient guarantees for the constitutional rights
Of the South, as impracticable, disorganizing,
reasonable disunionists. lmpracticable tits not,
if the majority love the Union, and the princi-
pies from which arose more than the aggrandize-
ment of sectional power. REASONABLE it is not
if to be true to ones country be patriotism, and
if it be duty to maintain, at whatever cost, the
principles on which our liberty rests, the i'm
movable foundations of truth and justice, which
will remain to uphold the cause we advocate
when we and all of ours are dust
Our Union was not formed by men who sup
plant bent the knee to power, and loved a gov
eminent only as it was powerful and glorious;
nor did they leave us institutions which would
be practicable in the hands of men forgetful or
careless Of the principles on which they were
founded. They are the true friends of the
Union who resist by all means every invasion on
the Constitution, and seek to strengthen every
barrier which is found insufficient for the use to
which it was appropriated. In the struggle for
right against aggressive power, the South will
not be alone, if she meet the conflict as becomes
her cause. The resistance of the colonies made
Chatham eloquent in their defence, how much
more will every noble spirit be aroused among
our Northern brethren, when it shall be attempt
ed to sustain federal usurpation by force, to
conquer sovereign States of the Union, and re-
duce them to territorial subservency. Those
who can favorably contemplate such an event,
may well point to the sons of State, thus I'M
der the ban, and say otis treason to love her,
tits death to defend"
look forward with confidence to the action
of Mississippi, and hope it will be sustained by
general action in the South upon which hangs
another hope that the union of the South, will
produce reaction in the public feeling of the
North, and that our constitutional Union may
be preserved, monument more lasting than
brass to the wisdom and virtue Of our revolu-
tionary fathers; and temple of true liberty for
posterity through countless ages. But if this
fondly cherished hope cannot be realized, the
union of the South will in any event enable us
to preserve the principles on which our federal
Union was based, and to transmit to posterity,
with all the glorious memories of the Union,
the principles from which its glory sprung, and
to leave the laurels gathered in common toll
and danger, unstained by the blood of civil war
Led on from point to point have extended
this letter to an unusual length, and must post
pone many things which it would be desirable
to me to say until we meet. Again permit me
to offer my thanks for your kind appreciation,
and to assure you that your cheering voice will
animate and encourage me in the scenes | ex-
pect to encounter, that it will always be heard
above the roar of the Northern majority, and be
remembered as the reward, one of the poorest
capacity may gain by devotion to the mainten-
ance of the rights entrusted to his care.
am very respectfully,
your friend and fellow citizen.
JEFF. DAVIS.
A VISIT TO THE MEXICAN CATHEDRAL-A
correspondent of the Union, writing from the