The southern press., 1851-08-07
SOUTHERN PRESS.
WASHINGTON CITY.
THURSDAY. AUGUST 7, 1851.

influences working in ITS favor ut the South.
Our readers will find in this extract full confirm
alton Of the charges we have made against
HENRY CLAY; for the position he occupies, and
the consequences which follow the adoption of
his policy are clearly defined We invoke the
earnest attention of the Southern people to these
hopes of the enemy; for it behooves them to
look to 1t in time, that there be not iroo par
ties in the South" on the question of slavery, as
the Abolition organ pretends
That such is not the case now, even in the
border States, is proven by the very citation
made by the Tribune, of the utter discontinue
Of HENRY CLAY's emancipation scheme in Ken
tucky; and every intelligent man knows that
the recent discussion of the question has inf
nitely strengthened the institution in the affec-
tions Of the Southern people. Through the
full and searching investigation but recently
made, doubts have been dissipated, long -estab-
lished errors and prejudices removed, and the
whole subject submitted to the unerring tests
Of reason and truth. Tried by these tests, the
pseudo philanthropy and shallow expedents Of
HEnHY CLAY have daily become more obvious,
while the far-sighted sagacity of CALHOUN is
equally vindicated through the same agencies.
The Tribune thus clearly defines the relative
position of the two and of course the exposi-
ton applies equally to the parties at the South
which have respectively adopted the principles
and the policy of each.
There are two parties in the South one bent
on perpetaating slavery, and extending its bless
ings az widely as possible the other regarding II
a. curse, and desiring its restriction and exter-
mination. The leader Of the first party the
late Mr.. Calhoun the most eminent man in the
sscond is Henry Clay. Though the ultra opin-
ions Of the first, and their passion for political
suicide, are not approved by the majority ofthe
Southern people, they adopt their spirit, and act
in accordance with it. This was exemplifed in
the late struggle for constitutional reform in Ken
lucky, when every thing looking toward the ex-
tsntion Of slavery was put down, although it was
certain that the State would be largely benefited
by eradicating the institution. All the action of
the South is based on the de1sion that slavery
can be eternal. This renders necessary and pro-
vokes degree of discussion and agitation at the
North which would not otherwise be called out.
This is frank enough and cool enough in all
conscience but what follows goes bowshot
beyond it in effrontery and insolence. 1t is
claimed not only as right, but as duty of
the North to intermeddle with the affairs of the
Southern people, until slavery is extinguished
Shy the States in which it exists"
The old cry against Carthage, Illuminated
from Rome, was not more deeply imbued with
the spirit of undyng and exterminating hostility,
,,Ir c-ov xl.u -
Abolitionism, against the property. the prosper
ity, and the peace of millions of the citizens o
these United States If the South is, indeed
to be regarded by the North in this lght-her
will not be the doom of Carthage, unless she i
false to herself, fatally blind, or suddenly smit
ten with an imbccility and cowardice such
she never has displayed in any crisis of her pas
history.
Towards the close of its comments, the Tri
bMne felicitates itself on the toleration of the
Southern people, and the results produced by
I" the attitude of the free-spoken portion of the
North" 1t evidently believes, or pretends to be-
leve, that the acquiescents in the ultimate abo-
lition of slavery are becoming more numerous
in the South. 1t should know better, and prob.
ably does; yet such is the use ever made by the
Abolitionists Of the deprecatory appeals made
by weak but well-meaning men at the South
whose charity can cover any quantity of sins
committed by their "Northern BRETHREN
"The great end" in view is distinctly and un-
equivocally declared to be the extinction of
slavery by the States in which it exists"-and
this is the basis of the compromise which the
Northern coalition now propose to the South
"Our purpose is fised-our policy setted-but
we will allow you the privilege of doing the
work yourselves. II you are insensible to kind
ness, we must take the matter in our own hands
We cannot wait much longer, however for the
beginning of the next century will not behold
slave under the flag of this republic For
thus speaks the Tribune:
But we are told to leave slavery alone il is the
special curse of the South, and we have nothing
TO do with II. This is great mistake in every
way. As journalists it is our rieht and duty 10
discuss whatever interests the public, or whatever
we think ought to interest il, whether in New
York, England, Carolina India. But in slave-
ry we have nearer interest than this for is an
American institution, and exerts it's baefu influ-
ence over the whole Republic, all of which is
weakened and endangered by weakness and dan
ger IN any OF It's psrts-not to say anything Of the
disgrace this institution casts upon Democracy in
the eyes Of civilized mankind. Besides, we are
liable to be called on to send back fugitives, an
act which certainly renders us participants in
their ensaving. Moreover, it in too late in the
day to think Of stopping the discussion of this
subject. 1t viii be discussed, and the best thing
is to look at IT frankly and sincerely, and say the
whole truth about it. find zoe are happy 10 see in
the Southern Saies grooing number Of persons ,rho
are disposed 10 treat il in hot manner And if
their testimony is to be relied on the attitude of
the free-spoken portion ofthe North in the contro-
versy Is and has been exceedingly useful, and has
Tended 10 expedite the great end which all enlight-
ened lovers ofiher country must have in view,
namely, the estnctiom Of slavery BY the States in
'oh'ch 1t crisis This end suppose ,cii be attained
sooner than is generally anticipated We do not be-
iiere that the beginning Of the ~ert century ,cH be-
hold Stare under the flag qfthis Republic.