The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-21


: but one way in which they can securea separat
, ndependence-ftey must conqu'r e. The South
ern Press is di-pleased with our ideas on thi
subject. II remarks
MIR. GiddiDgs announced his opposition to
(coercion) some time ago. Mr.. Charles Sum
ner is against all war, and goes for the establish
ment of universal Peace Congress- Whel
the Abolitionists were mohbed in the Northerl
States, they protested loudly against the appli
cation of force against opinion But as the
grow stronger they change They threatened
, force loudly, and used it actually in Boston, il
behalf of fugitive slaves, and AGAINST public Off
GERS aud the law That, how ever, they nigh
: pretend was only offering force to force.
Now, however, the National Era has at las
pronounced for the employment Of force agains
South Carolina in case of her secession. So
then, these Christian, conscientious champions o
moral power and selfgovernme propose t.
employ the sword to compel States to submit
10 their power They propose, in q word, t.
emancipate negroes, and ensave whites"
i Other people may advocate what nations they
| please--the National Era has its own opinions
about war, and government, and the Union, and
is responsible only for them. We have never
opposed coercive measure, lawfully and wisely
used. No government can exist which does not
! recognise the principle Of coercion. AS to war
we are Opposed only to aggressive Wharf.-The
| principle of non-resistance We have never adyo-
Gated. We have protested against the mobbing
of Observation-Disclosures that is force applied
not in support, but in yootion Of law and we
have protested against mobbing by Aboitionists,
! for the same reason. No man can point to a
paragraph we have written, countenancing even
by implication violent resistance to any lew
whatsoever. And we have always insisted that
! it was the duty of the administrators of the laws
to enforce them, cost what it might; or, if they
could not do so sonscientiously, to resign.
In relation to a seeding State, we admit the
right of secession, just as we admit any other
revolutionary right; but we claim, too, that an
established government has the right Of self
preservation, In a conflict between South Caro-
lima and the United States that one standing on
the right of self-preservation, the other or the
right Of revolution, we know of no umpire but
the sword. The duty of the administration in
such a crisis is unmstakeablc. II is sworn to
enforce the laws Of the Union-and it must do
go against whatever force, whether that of indi.
viduals or States. 1t has no choice in the matter.
When Texas threatened New Mexico, the posi-
ton of the administration of General Taylor and
that of Mr. Fillmore were identical Texas was
admonished that the rights Of the United States
would be maintained with the whole power of
the Union. We predict that when the occasion
shall authorize interposition by the adninistra-
ton. in relation to South Carolina, it will take
precisely the same position. The President of
the United States who should neglect TO use
the whole power of the Union to maintain the
Union, would be deemed b. the American peo-
pie guilty of treason, would be arraigned and
punished as traitor.
The mistake of these gentlemen is, the as
sumption that the question of secession con-
Germs South Carolina alone; when, in fact, it
deeply involves the rights and interests OF thirty
sovereign States, which reg1rd the maintenance
Of the Union necessary to their welfare. The
secession of one State, if permitted is equivalent
to the extinction of the Union, and the over
throw Of the federal government. With South
Carolina independent, what becomes OF our
revenue system and our post Office department;
what of our exemption from foreign intrigue
and interference! She would throw open her
ports to foreign commerce, encourage free
trade with the Southern States, impose duties
on Northern commerce, gradually become
colony Of Great Britain. which, establishing
there her influence, would iiisidiously seek TO
reduce the adjoining States to a similar con-
di,ion and thereby obtain the mastery of ALL
Are the editors Of the Southern Press mad
enough to expect that. in full view Of such con-
sequences, the federal government will tolerate
or recognize secession?
Had South Carolina grievances to allegp
against the Union, like those charged by our
fathers on the British government, she should
have whatever aid we couId render her in resist
ance to such tyranny. But, who believes that
her rights have been outraged by the fed raj
government Has it interfered with slavery
within her borders! Has il touched single
right Of the humblest Of her citizens? Has il
even prohibited the extension 10 free territory
of that inst tuition on which she imagines her
well-be'ng to depend? Was not the act Of re-
strction In California the act Of the people of
that countryl Has not Congress expressly for.
borne to apply the Wilmot Proviso to the terri
tories of New Mexico and Utah, and avowed iis
purpose in advance to admit them, or any other
territories, when organized as States, with or
without slavery, as the people thereof may de-
cidel Has it,not refused TO abolish slavery in
the District Of Columbia, over which it has ex
elusive jurisdiction? Has II not passed, and is
not the chief Executive successfully enforcing,
bafbarousy stringent law for the reclamation
Of fueitiyes from service! Is not the whole
weight Of the administration en- the side Of sla-
very Is II no. devoting all its power and pat
ronage to put down free .soism at the North.
and suppress all agtat'o on TIE subject Of la
veryl Are not both the old Wing and Demo
cratic parties under the control Of pro-slavery
nnuencesl Was not the organization of the
last Congress completely subject to the slave
power? Who were the chairmen, and who con-
stituted the majorties, Of the most important.
committees Of both House,! Shareholders,
generally. Of extreme opinions. Who was chair
man Of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate
Mr. Butler of South Carolina. Who, Of the
Military Committee Of the House Mr.. Burt Of
South Carolina. Who was Spe ker Of the House,
who was elected President Of the Senatel Are
not FIVE of the nine Judges on the Supreme
Bench. from the South, and at least three Of the
remaining four, favorable to Southern views Of
the Constitution! Behold the grievances Of
South Carolina Were her wrongs, as a slave
holding State, grievous enough to justify the
last resort, how happens it that not a single
slave State besides is willing TO endorse her
revolutionary condrct! is Virginia so blind as
not to see danger, did IL exist or so spirtIcss as
not to resist oppression, were the federal gov
crnment ouiltv Of IT. How hannpns "A that