The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-30

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STATE RIGHTS.
think see in near perspective, the complete
annihistion Of the States, 20 far ~ regards svs-
ry attribute Of sovereignty. secured BY the fed
eral compact. 1t will not be long. fear. before
they will exist but in name. The abolition ex-
element il based on the utter destruction Of
State rights, and can only be ultimately sue
cessful by placing the States at the footstool OF
the general government; not merely those OF
the South, but all the others, since all are em-
barked in the same bottom, and the precedent
will be equally applicable whenever pretence
arises for opposing every particular State or
section The doctrine Of the constitutiOnnity
Of public improvements by the general govern
ment, which now finds favor with both parties,
is another deadly blow at the rights Of the
States, given by ble-faced Janus, which at
the same time that it nfringes on their terrific
rial rights and interferes with their domestic in
terests, offers a bride for their acquioscence.
Add to this, that most, if not all the States are
greatly weakened by local jealousies. Those
on the Atlantic, are each split into two factions,
pursuing different ways, and in many instances
80 nearly balanced that neither can get the as
tendency Of the other, except by calling in the
aid Of the influence and patronage of the gener-
al,government. which thus becomes the arbiter
Thus it is with New York. Virginia, Maryland
and indeed all the States bordering on the sea
coast, where what is called the back country
is Influenced by opposite interests, either real
or imaginary, which are perpetualy pulling diff
ferent ways, and like dislocated limbs, weaken
ing instead of strengthening the body polite
This is most especially the case with the slave
holding States, whore, as YOU recede from the
old settlements, the number of slaves diminishes,
until by degrees diversity, if not direct oppo-
stion of interests is engendered, and instead Of
acting in concert, they are perpetually at varia-
ton. Under federal or Wing rule, it is easy to
see in what direction the patronage and influence
of the general government will be directed, and
with what powerful and decisive effect it will
operate, in acquiring control over both, by
strengthening one party or weakening another.
Accordingly We have lately seen in the policy Of
the government, and the language of its organs
at Washington, insidious attempts to aggravate
these homebred sectional jealousies in the
States, and to array the different classes against
each other, by insinuating that their government
is in the hands of the wealthy, and that the
poorer orders are debarred from their proper
share. because they have few or no slaves to in
fuse into the basis ofrepresentation. Thus the
states will by degrees become so completely
monopol zed by their internal struggles and dis
sentions, as.to have neither leisure nor incina-
ton to watch the proceedings of the general
government; or still worse, sacrifice their rights
members of the confederacy, to conciliate its
influence in the attainment of mere local ascen-
dancy In short, it appears to me very certain
that everything is rapidly tending to CONSOLE
dated government, which, while preserving the
outward forms and institutions of a confederacy,
will leave its constituent members nothing but
the shadow of State sovereignty
THE LAW OF NATURE
The law of nature must necessarily be uni
versal law, applicable to all rational beings who
partake of that nature, and its violation will be
equally felt and recognized by all mankind, how
ever different may be their situation, or what
ever the diversities Of their creeds of religion
or morality. To constitute violation of that
law, it is necessary that the act should outrage
those feelings which are implanted in the hearts
of all mankind, and in the condemnation of
which there is but one voice. Unanimty is in
dispensnble to justify opposition to measure or
an act, on the ground of its being violation of
the law of nature, which is Independent Of all
systems of religion, philosophy and government,
and cannot be modified by any difference in So
cial advancement or intellectual refinement. II
is the same everywhere and at all times; and
what is not an outrage on the law of nature
among men in a state of nature, cannot be so
under any system of civil government The
law is inAexible and unchangeable
Slavery has been of late years denounced as
violation of the law and the rights Of nature,
in Europe and America, not by the voice of the
whole people, but by a part of them. In Asia
and Africa it is held perfectly in accordance
with the law and the rights of nature, and there
is much greater number of human beings now
in existence, holding the latter, than the former
opinion. Such difference at once shows that
slavery Is not violation of the law of nature,
because were it 80, it would be denounced by
the united voices ofall who partake of that ma
ture. For one portion Of community to set it.
self up as the sole judge of the rights of nature
for all the rest Of their fellow creatures, is de-
gree of arrogance and presumption only to be
expected from Anticipated philanthropsts, or
persons who have the misfortune to be possessed
by the seven devils of fanaticism.
FIRE AT NIAcARs.-The IRIS states that a
fire occurred at the Fall on Friday morning, in