The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-11
SOUTHERN PRESS.
WASHINGTON CITY.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE IL, 1851.


We append the promised article from the
Louisville Democrat, to which we referred yes
terday, as embodying the true faith Of Old Ken
lucky, irrespective of party distinctions of Wing
or Democrat. They are principles, which every
true-hearted Southron, of whatever political
party, must cling to as the charter of his rights
aud liberties and we regret that our cotempo-
rsry should have weakened the force of his clear
and conclusive exposition of these great truths
by giving, even incidentally, a party application
to them. The maintenance and vindication OF
State Rights, and opposition to consolidation
have necessarily no connection with the party
issues made up between Wings and Democrats,
or the fragments of those two old parties, now
dwindled down into powerless divided and dis
tracted factions. In Georgia, Alabama, and Mis-
sissippi the old party lines are now obliterated,
and the Southern Rights or resistance men are
now forcing on their compromising opponents
the issue of State Rights or Consolidation,
which they evidently fear to meet.
In South Carolina, opinion is unanimous on
this point save among the "little squad of sub
missionists in Greenville." Even in Virginia,
though her politicians have shrunk from acting
up to the Resolutions of '98, they have not
yentured to repudiate them. Nor can either
Virginia or Kentucky repudiate them, until
they become lost to all sense of shame, or be-
sotted enough to imagine that the memory OF
their sister States is treacherous, as their own
solemnly plighted fifth is unreliable.
They cannot expunge that record if they
would-they dare not do it if they could-for
such an act of filial apostacy would equally DIS
grace the dead sires and the living sons. There
fore, let the Connecticut schoolmaster who con-
trolls the leading Wing Journal of Kentucky,
say what he may, we cannot doubt the sound
ness of Kentucky sentiment on this point. I'm
til better proof than his mere unsupported ale
CATIONS are given through legislative action at
the ballot box, we will not credit such abandon
ment of principle on the part of any respectable
portion Of her people.
From the Louisville Democrat.
We publish this morning the Kentucky reso-
lutions of 1898. They contain the democracy
of those days. Kentucky has never protested
to change her political sentiments on this sub
ject. These resolutions were penned by Jeffer-
son, and they are the platform on which the great
political race was run and victory won in 1898.
In those times the great principles of our fed
eral government were fresh in the minds of the
country. The States still held their reserved
rights Of some Importance. The doctrine of
consolidation met with no favor in this common
wealth. Such men an Nicholas, Breckenridge
L. Co., couldn't brook the idea that the federal
government was to be its own Judge of the ex-
tent of its powers, and observe no limits but its
own discretion. In the noise and confusion
about the Union, the true theory of our govern
ment may be lost sight Of In the hour of dan
ger it is wise to observe the old landmarks.
When the storm RACES, keep an eye to the chart
and compass, repudiate the false lights, that
would allure the vessel of State to its ruin
There are bold doctrines here, but they are true
a. they are bold. Kentucky carried the banner
under the lead of that incompatible old repub-
hcan, Thomas Jefferson. Virginia, the mother
of statesmen, nobly sustained the same doc
trines, and will not abandon them now.
The Wings have never dared to assail these
doctrines directly; but their candidate for gov
ernor is now travelling over the commonwealth
preaching unconditional submission to the be-
hests of the federal government He hides the
rottenness of his doctrines under the plea OF
Union, Union How is the Union to be pre-.
served is the question. We know how it has
been preserved. We know the sentiment and
policy under which this Union has so far nd
vanced in its glorious career. Shall we now, ir
the hour of trial, reverse our time-honored poll
cy, and, under the delusion of the cry, "Union
Union I" sacrifice the only principles by which
we can hope to preserve it
Is any man insane enough to suppose TINT
government at Washington city, with power Il
force its own Interpretation upon its own pow
era, and make its Interpretation the law of con
tinent without the possibility of appeal or re
dress, can hold this Union together How long
will the Union last after such doctrine has beer
solemnly sanctioned
We owe our right of person and property to
the State The people of our State have com
mon interest and common wants; hence ma.
jority of the State ia safe depository of polit-
ical power. But who would submit the inter
ests of our State to the domination of MAORI
ty in the other States, with no check but thei
own discretion !
We shall be told that we have written con
stitution, and courts to interpret it in the federn
government Poor safeguards these to the right
Of great communities. Experience has showI
that the only limit to power is power; and if
State does not proclaim its determination to sus
tain its own rights when they are threatened, bu
will pledge itself to submit Internationally tc
whatever may be imposed, it is already ripe fol
slavery.
This doctrine of unlimited submission will
create rebellion even where there is no other
cause for it, 1t is despotism itself, full blown,
and should be arrested at the start.
Thiu ia v1NyON IF intareat and mutual rp-
spect between the States. The powers dele
gated TO the federal government are wel-de
fined. It should be the duty of that government
to be extremely cautious that it exercised none
but delegated powers, and refrain from action il
all doubtful cases To no clear violation o
State rights is State bound to submit; nor ha
State ever delegated the power to any bod.
Of men TO use force to compel such submission
nor has she ever surrendered the right to be he
own Judge of her constitutional rights. We ar
fully aware Of the bugbear that Is ready to star
up on the other side. What! will you permit
State to refuse submission 10 a law Of Congress
because in his judgment her rights are invaded