The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-04
SOUTHERN PRESS
WASHINGTON CITY.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1851.
Hon. jeremiah Motions Manifesto.
We find the following in the Richmond En-

we ma the following IN the N1chmOnd En-
qairer.
Mr.. MoRToN ON THE "SoUrHERv PREss.n-
"a. J. NJ" furnishes for publication, in the AL
exnndria Gazette, the following letter from the
representative Of that district, and one of the
founders of the Southern Press"
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1851.
You say "there is but one ground you are un-
able to defend, and wish to be furnished with
the argument to meet it," viz; that am charged
with being patron supp rter, and encolrager
Of the Southern Press. And you ask, "can it,
does II, IN any respect represent your views :"
no more approve Of that paper than you or
any Of my friends do IL no more represents
my uielos," than IL does yours. Some time in
April, think, Southern members, looking to the
dark clouds hanging over us, and impressed with
the belief that papers here, of both parties,
looked more to the success of party, than to the
preservation Of Southern rights, in which were
involved the perpetuify Of he Union and to the
additional fact, that the National Era, published
in this city, and devoted to aboliionism, was con-
Quoted with great talent, and had a wide circu-
lation, both North and South, felt that (viewing
these things from the position they occupied,)
the establishment of paper here, devoted to
the exposition of Southern right, would be wise
and cxpedicnt: that it would have the effect of
checking Northern aggression, and uniting the
South in defence Of her constitutional rights
in common with sixty-two Others, recommended
the establishment Of such paper. We APP
pointed n committee of four to engage editors.
They did so, upon their responsibility, and, rs
the sequel has proven, made an unfortunate Sc
lection. Many of the sixty-tbree, in short
time after the Southern Press got under way,
M nd ed lie "A h. ,Jat,.
of the sixty-three members was dropped 9th
erwisc there would have been open remuneration
by them.
From the time the committee of thirteen re-
ported-say about 9Th or 10th of May--I was
an advocate for the series of adjustment meas
ures," taken as a whole, with such favorable
notifications as might be effected. My opinions
were freely expressed, and labored as much as
any member of Congress, according to my hum
bic abilities, to advance them, and felt as deep
an interest in their su cess.
If they had all come up in one bill, should
have cheerfully voted for them. ] voted for the
1eras boundary and Nep Merico bill, for Utah,
for The Fugitire siape bin, and against Coiiflr-
MIA On The bill for the abolition of the slave
trade in the District of Columbia, did not vote
at all, being at that time confined to my room by
indisposition. As n single measure, as IL passed,
| should have voted against it. ! rejoiced and
do rejoice, at the success Of the compromise
measures" as ,ohole say the peace of the
country requires, in the language of the annual
message of President Fillmore, that they should
be regarded as "a setflemenf--a final settl ement
Of the slavery question" Now, sir, have given
you my opinions and acts upon the dangerous
questions Of last session--and il must have been
apparent to my friends, if they knew the course
j pursued--and the hostility of the Southerr
Press to them ia the aggregate and detail lever
Fugitive slave bill,) that did not approve ofits
course, unless condemned my own.
The battery of that press has been constantly
directed, with all its sarcasm, ridicule and argu
nient, against the friends and supporters of tn,
adjustment measures" They are taunting
called "submssionists," &c, &c,
remain, sir, yours very truly,
JEREMIAH MORTON.
We very promptly acquit Mr. MoRTos Of thu
charge Of being a patron, supporter, and en-
courager Of the Southern Press" He neve
has contributed in any way whatever to Thu
Southern Press, except as subscriber to tn
address of the Southern members of Congress
in favor Of establishing Southern press here