The southern press., 1851-11-01
SOUTHERN PRESS
WASHINGTON CITY.
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 80, 1851.
slavery IN the United States, &c.

view contains an able, and, in so ne respects,
fair article on this delicate, and yet sufficiently
simple, question. 1t is always well to find this
matter calmly discussed by those who are gener-
ally regarded as opposed to slavery; and it is
pleasing to find that there are nen capable of
grasping the subject dispassionately and without
reference to mere prejudice.
Taken at the best, however, It contains views
with which we cannot coincide; but for such
we are willing to make due allowance. We do
not expect men living under different social in
stitutions, to be able fully to comprehend that
which is peculiar to the South.
There can DO no doubt that the attitude as
sumed by Southerners, and more particularly
those of the State of South Carolina, has had an
effect upon the North, and will check, in some
degree, the progress of that fanaticism which
has threatened and is still threatening, to divide
the States.
In publishing the following extract from this
article, we are bound 10 notice statement which
is altogether erroneous. The North American
RerieD says" The general government may ad-
NIT into, or exclude it Slavery from the terri
tories which belong to it, but its authority
ceases when the territories become States"
Now, +" this simple factfp as it goes on to call
it, is no fact at all. There is no law whatever
for preventing Americans emigrating into terri
tories from North or South. The supposi.ion,
and altogether unconfrmed by law or experience.
If Southern planter should find it convenient
at the present moment, to settle with his slave
property in territory, who and what is to pre-
vent him Where is the power to GENE from,
that is to interfere with him If the land be
suitable, and the climate suitable for tie cult
walton of Southern produce, he has but 10 con-
suit his own instinct and interests in the matter
We never yet heard, nor do We believe in the
interference of the general government in right
common to all free born Americans
The writer admits that there is limitation 10
interference with slavery, growing out of the
manner in which it is wrought into the general
framework of our institutions" And again, adds:
at is obvious that to reconstruct the whole
fabric Of society-which is what is implied in
any wise method of abolishing slavery-can
never be the work Of day" .....
Here we have a CLEAN of common sense
bursting out of the ocean Of extravagances,
which Northern fanaticism has put forth on this
subject. Let those who are little more candid
and honest than their fellows, but impress such
views, imperfect as they are, upon them, and the
North will come to feel the necessity and jus
tee of leaving the South alone in the enjoyment
of its rights, and the government Of its own Pc
culiar institutions. A change from the present
condition Of things, would not be merely revo
luton, il would be all immense disaster, which
would affect the North scarcely less than tn,
South-would bring ruin upon England, and dis
tress the manufacturing interests of the Eu
ropean continent, TO an extent sufficient TO rem
der a social revolution there inevitable.
Every day adds to the importance and tht
value Of the Sou .bern staples. The first com
mercial and financial houses Of the world arr
bound up in them. Abolish slavery.-Chang,
the whole social system Of the South, and cal
culats the cost, in the sudden check given Il
slave productions. There is not man Of tn,
multitudes interested in IL, who would lend hi,
aid 10 n measure so fraught with ruin TO tn,
whites, ard misery and destruction TO the black
race. Abolition would be as pestience which
had passed over the land.
The reviewers remarks are interesting on III,
aEFFEcrs OF LEGISLATION ON SLAyERY-I
would be very surprising il the institution o
slavery were not the occasion Of ceaseless die
cussion and agitation in tie United States i
Is a matter Of vital interest 10 the South, and
indirectly, of scarcely lees moment 10 the North
Is existerce must Of necessity be taken into nc
count as q main element in determining III,
policy Of the general srnment political par
ties gravitate aro1( as If il were a ixec
magnetic centrs( 11herts controlling influenc,
over the induf pursuits and relations Of III,
country; am dat Is Of not less importance
creates arod itself a peculiar social state and
classes Of interests which have bsen, and ar,
likely TO be, the occasion of perpetual irritation
between the North and South.
1T is a subject, which, above all others de-
bated among us, ought TO be treated with calm
ness and candor; and, happily, there seems &c
be prevailing a fsirer aud more concilatory
spirit and growing disposition 10 transfer il.
discussion from the tribunal Of the passions IN
that OF the judgment. The Temporary lu
Of political excitement furnishes fitting op
portunity for presenting some Of those consid
erations respecting the more general aspects oil
slavery which are essential 10 the formation OF
just conclusions, but which, in seasons Of party
strife, are apt 10 be neglected. How far and
how fast is the institution Of slavery susceptible
Of change and OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are the pros.
poets Of its being removed--snd what can be
done TO promote its removal these are the
crest praticsl questions which present them
selves 10 most minds We propose to consider
them, partly on account Of their intrinsic in
terest, but with q particular reference TO thei
bearing on the subject Of African colonization.
"There il, however, a limitation OF our powe
over slavery far more invincible than any i'm
posed by arbitrary laws or treaties, growing on
Of the manner in which il is wrought in 10 th'
general framework Of our institutions. Puttinl
aside all questions which relate to the origin and