The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-20
MONTGOMERY, Feb. "a, 1851.

the true and common sense meaning of the
preamble and resolutions OF the late Southern
States rights convention, assembled at this place
think myself no good reason exists for this
difference of opinion. | feel quite assured that
among the members of the convention, no such
difference existed and believe slight atten-
ton to the preamble and resolutions themselves
will lead US to their one and only true mean
ing Let us analyze them
The first paragraph in the preamble sets forth
the purposes Of which the government of the
United States was forned-and in doing this,
the Constitution is quoted as follows:
lst. TO form more perfect Union
3D. To establish Justice
Sd. To ensure domestic tranquility
4th. TO provide for the common defence.
18th. To promote the general welfare. And
9th. To secure the blessing Of liberty to our
selves and our posterity.
understand the Constitution of the United
States to declare, that the Union Of these States,
under the Constitution and government thereof,
would ensure to the States and people thereof
all these things.
The first declaration of the convention is, that
(" these objects have been oilfuAy disregarded in
the administration Of The government" This is
only declaration Of fact, but is no axiom or
principle about which men may differ and dis
pute. 1t depends for its belief and truth upon
eyidence--it is either true or false as an assert
ton, that the government of the United States
for the last thirty years had in its administration,
wilfully, that is to say, Intentionally and on pur-
pose, dsregarded the great purposes for which
the government had been established So the
next declaration in the preamble contains an
axiom or principle, upon which men may differ
and dispute--but it is likewise simple declara-
ton of truths insisted on by the convention, to
wit: that the pretence upon which this hostile
legislation has been based is, that slarery is a
moral and political eriF-this declaration is
either true in point of fact, or it is false. The
next declaration is of the same character that is,
/" that The end and aim of this hostile legislation
is the emancipation Of every slape IN the United
States.' ~
1t is evidently manifest that here is only dec
aration by the convention of their belief Of
these facts ms true.
1t is evidently either true or false, that the ma
ority, in directing the administration, hold,
LIST. That slavery is moral and political evil;
and,
2dly As such, it Slavery shall be exterm-
mated.
If the majority, directing the administration
of the governments, do not hold these PROPOSE
tions then the convention was mistaken in point
Of fact--and this of course, depends upon evil
dence. The next declaration contained in the
preamble will be found on examination to be of
the same character as the preceding ones--mere
declarations of opinion, dependant for their sup
port alone on evidence They are
lst "That the government (of the United
States) is in the hands of a section ii majoriH"
3D. That political interests, and "concientioRs
CONNECTIONS of duty alike urge them to the sue
cessful prosecution of tis system, that IS to the
emancipation Of erery Stare in The Union" Such
are the conviction of the truth of facts as be-
lieved and asserted by the convention in their
preamble 1t follows, if error be here, it is error
on facts, and not Of axioms, for thus far, no
axiom has been set forth by the convention. If
our friends agree with the convention in the
truth of these assertions as contained and set
forth in the preamble to the resolutions, it is
well: if not, they ought, in justice to their
friends who composed the convention, and to
themselves and the country at large, to come
out fully and fairly; point out our error in re-
gard TO the truth of these facts so believed by
us--it may we shall be convinced--surey no
good man would madly insist on the truth of
that which he knew and felt TO be filse
1t wo uld rqure volume to 90 through
with an analysis of each resolution This my
time will not permit me to debut | have no
bestancy in saying that it would be an easy
task to establish the truth of every fact asserted
in these resolutions-and | moreover think the
axioms set forth in the resolutions and which
alone | consider what our friends call a apat-
form" are truths equally susceptible of demon
stration.
The axioms set forth in the resolutions are
the following:
lst. That the government Of tho United States
have no power to restrain the extension of
slavery, or of eradicating it in places where it
now exists. (See second resolution.)
I'd. That il is the right of each and any State
to dissolve the connection heretofore existing be-
tween the State thus acting, and the other States
Of this Union. See 9th resoution)
These two resolutions contain in nv humble
Judgment the only axioms set, forth by the
nvention--a,though many other resolutions
were PASSED, yet upon examination it will be
found that all the others are based on the truths
Of certain facts believed and maintained by the
convention and therefore rest for their validity
entirely on evidence These opinions are as
follows:
lst That tho legitimate powers Of the gov
eminent have for many years been perverted bve
dominant sectional ngjoriiB to the pggrandize-
ment Of the non-saveholding States and to the
oppression of the slayeholIng States (See
FIRST resolution)
ID. That powers have been exercised shy the
goyernment Of The Uni:cd States, for restrain
ing The ertension n %frerg and for eradicating
1t where it exists" and this power ihus eser,
cised ia contrary TO tac Constitution Of the
United States; which Is contained in our first
axiom, MS set forth in the second resolution,
(Which see.)
%. That BY the exercise Of these unconstitu-
tonal powers, success has followed, which has
radically changed the character OF the govern
ment, and thus has made the power and dignity
of the Union destructive in very great degree
Of the rights and dignity Of The States mhich
created H. (Sec third resoiution.)
4,h. That tame submission to or patient ae-
quiesence, (on the part Of the States,) in this
legislation, both boste and unconstitutional,
would not be conducive to the peace, happiness
prosperity, or honor Of the Southern States
(See fourth rcsoluiion)
9Th. That recent events, in full unison with
that system OF legislation which we have con-
demned, assure US that there ia no reasonable
ground on which TO haaa a homo that F,ll and