The southern press., 1851-04-10
IRcULAR
OF THE SOUTHERN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION OF MAra
GoRDA COUNTY.

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10 10 the Friends of Southern Righs in ysras
% The objects for which we have resolved Ia
associate ourselves, will hardly be misunderstood
oy tnose VINO have been obseryant Of passing
events: and If all were watchful of the signs OF
the times, perhaps an explanation of the motives
!. . which actuate, and the principles which govern
2" "Southern Rights Association" would be but
little needed
But lest any should be mised as to the OBJ
Ject OF our present organization, or our ulteror
aim, we deem it but justice TO ourselves, and to
the cause we advocate, to place in the hands of
those whom we regard as the intelligent friends
OF the South, and her interests, brief synop-
tcal statement Of the opinions which, us an as
soclaiion, we cntertan and the principles upon
which we are united.
Our first object is to unite the friends of the
South in our community, and if possible, to aid
in uniting the friends of the South throughout
Texas, in an organization for the preservation OF
our rights and the more successful resistance
OF Northern aggression and federal usurpation.
Our enemies are organized and disciplined
under able leaders, bearing, it is true, variety
of names, and protesting to hold their existence
as organized bodies, under different pretences ::
but not the less our enemies that they do not
openly avow their enmity; and not the less to
be guarded against that they do not all profess
to have formed themselves into abolition socie-
ties
1t is NJ longer alone in the insignificant aboli-
ton, conv ntcles, dedicated to cant, consecrated
to ock phi 'anthropy, that we are to look for the
enen es and lssailants Of Southern institutions
They I, re .ound alike in high places of the ma
ton, ana in the humbest walks of life, and that
too in numbers no longer dcspicable.
| In the halls Of Congress, and in the squallid
cellars and garrets of the Northern Cities in the
various departments of tbs general government,
and in the workshop Of the wooden butter ma
ker. In the pulpit and at the plough, they are
actively, increasingly, and but too successfully
engaged in agitatng and planning the ruin of
the South.
1t is no longer the wron,g-headed excitable
and ignorant rabble alone, W no are engaged in
the fierce crusade against domestic slavery.
Two great political conve ntons at the North
have recently, in 10 measured terms, denounced
as an unholy thing the only solitary act of Con-
| gress passed during long series of years, for
the vindcatien of the previously existing and
constitutionafy guaranteed rights of the South,
holding up to- public opproprium the Fugitive
slave law" as thing which it is meritorious to
resist. They not only recommend measures
calculated to ensure its speedy repeal, but also
to prevent its being carried into effect; even
while it may be suffered to occupy place upon
pOons
| From the political forums of the North, issue
continually the most unqualified denunciations
ofslavery, and the most arde, It protestatons and
pledges to fight against it, until it shall be for
ever extinguished.
From the Northern people-THE PULPIT -
dedicated to God set apart as the chose n and
favored means of spreading the sway of re-
| ligiOn of peace and love, and mutual forgive.
ness-yes, even from the pulpit, any.themas are
pronounced against us, as tratiicksrs in human
t1esh-as men who grow rich upon the groans
and tear, of our fellow men, and fatten upon
the t',ood of our brethren. All this they say
" us, and all this falls far short of the evil
things which they continually speak against us.
The old lines OF party are disregarded and
forgotten. The ties of a common religion
ties once deemed strong and sacred, are but as
ropes of sand before the fury of the storm
that lnkes against the institution of slavery, or
as oftow, quickly sundered and consumed by
the fierce fame Of incendary zeal which burns
in the breast Of the assailants of our rights.
Is proof demanded? 1t is but too easily furn-
e ished.
The Northern Wing has nothing to-day in
common with the Southern Wing, who dares de-
fend the institutions among which he lives.
The Northern Democrat Of to-day would aid
in the passage of law, which would exclude
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by his treasure and his blood, or aid in repeating
law to protect him against robbery.
The Northern Methodist will not bow, to-day
at the alter of their common Savior, with his
Southern Methodist brother-d brother no more
The Northern Baptist, to day, will not breal
Sacramentae bread, nor drink the prototypica ant
!; consecrated wine, at the table of their common
Lord, with his Southern Baptist BROTHER
:; brother no longer.
" The Northern Press religious and political
with few honorable exceptions,) teens will
abuse of all public measures having the slight
est tendency toward recognition of the right
te of the Shareholders of this Union
This is but hurried glance at the agencies
th now at work to do us present injury, and finally
to rob us of our property, as they have already
robbed us of our equal interest in the national
territory-equallyw won, and once equally owned
but now carefully fenced up against our np-
e, proach forever.
he But even this may suffice to show, or rather
n to remind those who already know il well, that
10 there is an urgent necessity for the exercise OF
wv the most vigent watchiulness on our part
w. that, at least, we are not premature in attempt
n ing to organize and unite the friends of the
Sc South so that concert Of action may be attained
ct and some measures adopted for our mutual pro
le, tection and the preservation of the interests
M which are most closely connected with our pros
ny perity, and of those rights which incalcula
n. n. bly, dear to every patriot heart.
~ VI Ours is by no means disunon movement il
.st by the union be meant, adherence to the Con.
stitution.
he We desire to live in the Union, to adhere TO-
a. to venerate, to cherish the Union, as that which
n is of all earthly things most dear but by this
. we mean the Union as it is, defined by its only
y visible exponent-THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
~ UNITED STATES.
~ The rights which are secured to us by the
Constitution, are all that we desire, and it is
ry solely for the preservation of those rights that
We we are united.
ly For those rights we will strive To enjoy
those rights is our aim and our fixed determine
MS ton in the Union, if it may be so; without
ey the Union, if it must be So
ul. We believe that when the principles upor
..L;aL 4La IIuiar, c,sx,aad L. l.