The southern press., 1851-09-05
Extract from the siedictsTy Of Hon. James.
SeddOn,

or the last Congress, and must, even more
surely than in the case of the ordinance OF 81
and the Missouri compromises, now almost uni
versally at the South conceded TO have been the
fruitful source of our present dangers, rpen to
a pernicious harvest of mischief The partial
reaction, which has taken place at the North,
in resistance of abolition fanaticsm, though
claimed for this compromise, is really due only
TO the strong manifestations of discomfort at the
South, and a determination there TO endure no
further aggression; and conclusively indicates
how much more fully. by concert Of action
and union of sentiment on the part OF our peo-
pie and their representatives at an earlier period,
our wrongs might have been averted and our
rights indicated. To render this reaction effect
i've for any future good. it is Indispensable that
It's causes should be actively continued and In
creased Ceaseless vigilance in discovering and
prompttude and unanmity in asserting our
rights and our constitutional guaranteees, can
alone give chance OF perpetuating the Union
as our fathers made it, and of maintaining our
institutions and our property in security and
peace. The Indications of the future, notwith-
standing the late extreme excitement, are full OF
monition and danger. The free-soil organza-
tion lately in effective ascendency throughout
the whole North, has been, by the attainment OF
its leading end, partially dsbanded, but its con-
stituent forces have been by kindr . atinties
attracted to and are now being emerged in the
avowed Abolition party. That party this day ex-
ats its crest higher, and is more bold, defiant
and numerous than at any previous period of our
history. With its ulterior designs concur many
malign influences, not the least of which may be
found in the cant and pseudo philanthrophy of
the day. which it is the fashion to dignity with
the name and honor with the importance of the
al nj of world tv
from sagacious foresight of the only instru-
mentalities through which it can hope for the
ultimate accomplishment Of its full designs, al
lies itself too, with the most bigoted adherents
of ancient federalism, and, seeking to PROSTATE
the securest bulwarks Of our rights, the State
sovereignties, strives to consolidate and nation
alize great central government. With insi-
dious cunning it inv0kes the name of Union,
and clamorously appeals to the fears of the
timid, and the hopes of the brave, to the sacred
associations of the past and the proud anticipa-
tons of the future, in order to malgn the mo-
tives and destroy the usefulness of the truest
friends both Of the Union and the South, be-
cause the most vigilant guardians of the Con-
sitution, and the sternest opponents of the un
holy designs of these "polpes in sleeps cloth
ing" No inconsiderable portion of the South.
ern people themselves have been weak and blind
enough to be deuded by the Devices and loudly
swell the chorous of peans to their oppressors,
of oboquy and reproach to their real defenders
Meantime, in greater or less degree, have been
brought under abolition influences the press
the schoohouse, the pulpit of the North--and
through their agencies, the people and institu-
tions of the South are systematically deride1
and maligned, and the principle nculcated, that
by the strong hand of the federal government,
is all organized action, even of the State SOW
ereignties for their protection and Defense to be
crushed and extingu, he'd. These tendencies,
unchecked, can have but one result, and that al
no distant day. Upon the subverted founda-
tions of our simple constitutional system, will
be established the worst form of despotism:
great consolidated government, without limita-
ton Of powers, administered at the will and
according to the caprice or interests of mere
numerical majority. That majority must be at
the North; and, If already, the sentiments and
sympathies of its masses are so strongly arrayed
against our property and institutions what of
peace and security can be hoped for in the fu-
ture, from its thckenlng numbers, its swelling
tide Of faDaticsm, prejudice and cupidty Un-
der its administ. .tion of unlimited power, we of
the South would speedily have no alternative,
but abject submission, ruin and desolation, or
forcible disruption and civil war, with no right
acknowledged us, but that of the worm, to
turn when trod upon"
Felow-citizens, | have no expectation of
ever again participating in the public councils.
| have no motives as God knows have no
wish, to alarm your fears or disappoint your
hopes. My all, my property, my family, my
life itself are identified with your security and
prosperity. These considerations would surely
suffice to guarantee my disin.ert tedness and
sincerity; but in addition, am Dound by the
lively gratitude | feel for your past favors, and
by the strongest sense of duty, in my brief
words of parting, to deal with the utmost can
dor and frankness. | do, then, as the result of
my best observations and most deliberate re-
Elections, solemnly and earnestly warn you,
that the future is still lowering with impending
dangers to your property and institutions; and
that the best, If not the only means, of both
perpetuating the constitutional Union Of our
forefathers and of handing down TO our children
and their posterity the rich heritage and un-
numbering blessings we enjoy, is for our people
to be ever vigilant, determined and united, in
repelling the first approach of wrong, in main
tanning to the utmost all the guaranteed right.
Of our section-and, above all, in uphoding, in
their full plenltude, the soyereignties OF the
States and their sacred obligation of interposi-
lOn iOf Ahs VI pfOtttuOH vi tntif titi-
zens against federal encroachment. Be liberal
and true to representatives who are prompt to
assert and vindicate your rights, and steadfast
10 the friends of your section and its institution
everywhere. The dread Of the popular majori- |
ty at the North, and the appliances of the fede-
raj government, are but too potent at BEST to
fright or seduce the public men of the country
from their fidelity to the South and its cause.
Let not be superadded to dsmay or dishearten
hem, mistrust of your confidence and appre-
lension of your desertion and rebuke. BE not
ieluded by clamorous professors of ultra devo-
ion to the Union, or by the bugbears of disso-
ution and civil war, with which they would af-
fright your imaginations Judge the faith of
hese excessive patriots by their works--the
.ree by its fruits. VIII they not be found, in
regard to the Constitution they profess so much
10 revere, latitudinarians by confession-prompt
ever to enlarge its provisions and indifferent to
is violation In reference to the institutions
Df your State, and section are they not gen.
orally lukewarm, the last to feel your rights or
your wrongs, and the first to proffer surrender,
Or barter in some juggling compromise your
equality and guaranteed priv
eges When men gather grapes of thorns,
mr. ira of thistloan Won may he safe in commit |