Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-08
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

THINGS IN ALABAMA.

AS matter of interest," bearing the ve1ed question
the day we repubish tho resolutions adopted BY the South
ern Rights Association os Mobile. The special object
their convenns consider the platform laid down by
the small convention of secessioniss In Montgomery W.
have already alluded 10 the action Of the laer- ,nou
open and undsguised advocacy OF secession
y period and desgned second the hasy movements
South Carolina The question excited great interest Mo
bile and after long discussion meetings. the series
resolutions adopted published by day. The
Mobile Register, which was decidedly an-conpromse ano
yet has ably and boldly denied the popey OF secession or
account OF the past action of Congress- worry ski!ny dis
secs the complicated mechanism OF the Mobile platform
which is distinct from the Montgomery PLATFORM and
is intended only expression Of the views OF the Asso
citation al Mobile To great extent we concur with tha
paper In its analysis Of the component parts of the new
patformut the time repeating earnes, preference
for the Virginia structure the bosdest and Safest on which
the whole South may rally for her future protection
would be degrading the South ask for guarantees
OF Northern majority, should that majority fail 10 carry out
the plain requirements of the Constitution rs il
There are three fundamental positions or pillars, upon
which this edifce (he Mobile p!aorm IS made to rest
These The alleged right of the people of tho several
fraction. . The alleged right OF State to seceds from Inc
Union g. The right and duty OF the Southern oascs oy
voluntary associations and by force Of law, to cut OH all
commerce with the hostile States.
These cardinal principles supporters having been erect
ed mot without opposition as 10 all the ponts-lh.
Hcsou proceed lay down thereon, the remaining
frame work and flooring OF the Platform. TO tell what
included adopted, it may be well TO specify what pieces
Of timber rejected in the construction In the st
place. unsound and dangerous plank ct Secession-ihe
chief farore of the A1ongcirry Convcntion,-was thrown
aside 10y the 10Th Rcsoiuop) US unwisc in any single
Sate certain seriously leopard the great inter-
ests ut ISSUE g. The call Of that Convention upon the CO.
the Legislature and its recommendation
people of Alabama 10 "put their houses in ORDER
with view to Secession, also omitted g. The
rlu nndD
Rights party, to the advocates of Secession was likewise
promptly rejected and tho desire ayowed TO construct TO
patform which broad enough to contain every man
who looks upon the ao Of Congress as aggressive In
their present influence but much more 10 be dreaded IN their
influence upon the future"
These negative features being disposed Of we NAV now
of what practical materials this new edice actually
composed. These must express briefly. They show
what the Association proposes 10 do u Is aecaiea 70 os
Of the Northern Staes renewed guarantees tor her proec.
tinn, submitting their election compliance or dissou-
ton of the Union 2. The Southern States should assem-.
Bile in Convention decide upon their true course OF &c
lon g. They should consolidate their strength, by every
species of home improvement and by direct trade and frnc.
y and enrich their section as to be prepared Tor any
future emergency the formation by them OF me-" Go-
venment 4 The protection Of Southern interests and The
union OF Southern men, ana OF the ooutnelh o'aeS as
be the duty Of Alabama and all the other States
In any Southern State secedes, for the CAUSES
which exist to oppose, Nth force, any attempt upon
the part of the Federal Government 10 coerce her.
These all the leading elements which enter into The
|
evidently motley and complex piece Of mechanism The
parts not harmonious and some o them altogeher u
necessary and Objectionable AS far as action Is proposed
with exceptions, coincide In the recommendations.
The frs. exception refer to- is that in case OF the seces
sion of any State Alabama shall oppose by force any at
tempt her. This making the action Of Alabama
not her own but dependent another State. In other
words she is TO secede TOO, resort 10 violence which
would completely throw her out OF The Cnion as il she
herself withdraw. According 10 this proposition, If
South Carolina secedes Alabama would be bound TO take
UP In defence Such Recommendation at tho
me may lead TO that contingency by encouraging
event which another resolution of the Association con-
demns.
The other Recommendation which oblec, is the pro-
position TO demand Of the nsaveholdng States renewed
guarantees Such dCcm altogether impractlcabe
unwse and hopeless We prefer taking the ground of re-
ssance dissolution any aggressions are
made without reference 10 guarantees.
Two Of the fundamental principles oi the Piaorm-tne
right of the State judge Of the nfractons Of the Const
tuition and secode from the Unlonwe regard tcnabc
only Revolutionary reedes-and only to be esorted to
in the last extremity They abstract propositions, the
soundnes Of which well be II was unne
cessay have made them essential parts ul the platform
They keep lro Joining in tho action o! the Association
many who would otherwise willingly unite in wha, ii pro-
poses to do.
Such is our estnue OF the action of the Association Tues
day night, We profess be expert in tho mechanical
there pusuedhe art of political oinery and archi-
ecturebu feel confident that we could have construct
ed party platform which would have bettor pleased at eae
ousee5 no, the great body OF the Southern Rights men
o. Alabama.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY TIE SOUTHERN SOY RIGHTS IS
The Convor.ion Of Southern Rights Associations lately
convened Montgomery, having adopted resolutions ex-
pre.sve Of their the dangers viii c beset The South
on Staes of the mode Of nvrrtng en II IL due 10 thc
great OF the subject we'll to the distinguished
body which has considered it, that these resolutions should
be responded to by this a6s9ciaon in iu and explicit
avowa Of their feeling ard opinions.
The subject Of slavery is we'll KNOWN constituted the
chief obstacle which for long mc mpeded the formation
uf the present Union.
The sluvehodlng Sta,es deeply impressed with the I'm.
of safely securing this institution which had UREA
dy with their social and political relations de-
nnnded guarantees for Its protection us the conoon OF le
alliance.
The South prevailed the Union formcd-aud 10 the
Federal Constitution then adopted nd the substance OF
those stpuutlons which considered adequate 10 the
| highest security.
Ii the Southern States sooi so srenuousy upon these
suard ut time when the number OF their Slaves copa-
raVev so eua what should be their vigilance when
exceeds three millions, population than that Of
all 1I the colonies at me close OF the Revolution!
Unon AND which, II s supposed ceased with the adop
tion Of the Cons'iluon early r.appeared in increased
and has from time to time influenced the action Of
the federal government, with the avnwcs intent of limiting
tho "area OF slavery the of destroying
1t is through this influence that the equality the South.
States In the disposition of our territories hus been
repeatedly denied.
In the Louisiana purchase the Institution of slavery cA
ted when acquired yet Congress undertook drirc
out and by law devote the larger portion OF It's
vored "eesois" In latest acquisition the South Il.
excluded from every foot Of territory upon the ground
slavery did not exist thcre; when acquired suc terrific
nv is not subject 10 its extension.
The design of this hostile spirit is now partially accom-
oished the oil slavery" is limited and surrounded BY
Gordon OF free States. Will its anticipation DC realized
ir will spirit use in the South and prevent this cnnsm
nation by seizng upon the sword and carving OUT io Itself
path to safcyl
To arouse the people Of these States to sense of their
peril peril which, If do fall upon us to-day or to-
morrow will yet pecpate itself with enfod fury upon our
children is, with US, the highest duty.
II is this end that patriotic spirits throughout Tue oouln
are appealing their countymen watch the progress OF
rapidly occurring in his and other countries 10
read their fate in the experience OF other and ana
thus "fufewarned TO be fore-armed."
In aid of this Southern Rights Associations have been
formed Based upon selfish principle, they exclude from
their consideration all questions Of personal
und with disregard of all party influences they iooh 10 e
Offices of the country with the siugle purpose OF securing
through them the honor and safety Of their own section Of
the confederacy.
discussion produced they hope reach the public
Client means for resistance 10 aggression
Speaking therefore, in the Of the Mobile Southern
Rights Association" desire Ia construct no PLATFORM
which is not broad enough contain who looks
pon the late acts of Congress aggressive in their present