The southern press., 1851-04-03
For the Southern Press.
Relies Of scraps and Musings.-No. 27
puR,,o or,n,os m THE UNITED srArEs.


PUBLIC OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES.
In free country where public measures are so
Immediately under the influence and direction Of
public opinion, as in the United States, it is of the
last Importance that the public should think right
on all subjects, especially those connected with
the great principles which their government
and institutions are based Being the sovereign,
their errors and excesses operate even more IN
uriously than those Of single despot, and they
become their own worst enemies the moment they
cease to he governed by the great principles OF
reason and Justice. or lose sight of the fundamen-
tai ma axims of freedom, in vain pursuit OF vis-
ionary shadows and impractcable dogmas. Nor
are the consequences less injurious when they
suffer themselves to be Influenced by the precepts
and example Of nations, whose government ana
institutions are radically different from ther's'
and the application Of whose practice and princi-
Piles to their own system will gradually under
mine and eventually bring about its overthrow
The political opinions Of the people of the
United States are derived principally from the
following sources, to wit: the precepts OF the
snges of the revolution, the arguments OF trading
politicians; the assertions Of party newspapers;
and the opinions of foreign reviews, enforced by
the London Times and other leading British ora
ces, whose speculations on the rights, duties aud
interests of the country considered equally
profound and nfallible The first of these
safe guides for all future time; but though often
quoted it is to be feared their influence is gradu-
ally giving place to new oracles greatly deficient,
both in wisdom and patriotism. The newspapers
are so various and conflicting in their views and
opinions, that il is scarcely possible for them to
produce anything like general concert of public
sentiment. They, for the most part, constitute
the organs and instruments Of cliques Of poi-
clans or local interests, and seldom inculcate
enlarged and generous patriotism. AS to foreign
reviews and newspapers, they all either Brit
ish or saturated with British feelings, interests
and prejudices; and if this were not the case, are
so ignorant Of the real nature Of our government
and the character of our people, TO be utterly
untitled either for guides or monitors. They are,
for the most part, the foes of our institutions and
system of policy; and though it is said that we
should forgive our enemies, ! know of no obiga-
ton to be governed by their opinions or their nd-
vice. The slavery agitation, which is gradually
paving the way for dissolution of all the lies of
respect and affection between the North and the
South, and consequently for rupture of the
Union, may be distinctly traced to the influence
and indictments of the British press which is
gradually sappng the great principles which lie
at the base of this confederation. No people can
justly call themselves independent who do not
think as well as act for themselves.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW VERMONT AND PENN
| sYLyANIA.
The senator from Vermont, Mr.. Phelps, has
written letter which is going the round Of the
newspapers, in which he assures the public that
the act lately passed with such unanimy by the
legislature Of that State, multiplying the Fugitive
slave law, "was hurried through the legislature
at the close of the session, in the absence Of many
of its members, without discussion explana-
ton Of its character and effect and have reason
to believe in utter ignorance on the part Of many
members who were present, of its Objectionable
features" In conclusion, he confidently predicts
its repeal at the next session of the legislature.
Now as to the picture given by the honorable sem.
ator of the vigilance OF the members of the Yer
mont legislature, in watching the progress Of le-
gslation, and their capacity of comprehension,
have only to say that the law is couched in as
plain English words can express it, and that if
they did not comprehend its scope and objects,
they must have been most egregious blockheads.
That it was passed without debate, was because
there nobody that dared to oppose it; and this
was the sole reason why there was no pause or
deliberation The legislature unanimous and
required argument. Mr.. Phelps proceeds to
say that 'the act is disapproved by the almost
entire press, and doubt not by vast majority
Of the people" ! cannot contradict the first part
Of this assertion, not seeing the illusions Of the
Vermont press but know that there has not
been a single demonstration Of popular feeling
against this law of the Vermont legislature, nor
the slightest evidence of its being disapproved by
vast majority Of the people, or any portion of
| them. On the contrary, all the evidence have
seen, goes TO prove that if repealed at ALL IT will
be the legislature Of Penr syvania has repealed
its kidnapping law, by opening its prisons TO cap
tured runaway slaves and leaving all the obstacles
to their capture in full force. But the friends Of
the Union in stout .Nep Virginia, and vapourng
Georgia and Alabama will be delighted with these
CONCESSIONS" They will, no doubt, prepare
themselves for further resistance cat all hazards
and to the last extremity" But there is no un-
deceiving people who predetermined to be de
ceived If don't mistake, IT will not be many
days before we similar demonstrations de
voton to the Union from New York and Massa
chusetts The great hornets nest of fanaticism,
the "Fres-so'' Of every species Of political moral
and religious folly and extravagance, Oho-has
already fired its guns, which will soon be echoed
from the East and the North. Surely even South
Carolina will be satisfied
i QUEEN Cry HAMs.--At the establ shment of
Schooley 81 Iiough, in Cincinnati one day last
week, nine men, in nine hours, canvassed 3,i0S
hams. The Gazette gives the following account
of the process