The southern press., 1851-09-06
Extract from the yaied dlstory Of Hon. James,
SeddOn.


of the last Congress, and must, even more
surely than in the case of the ordinance of '87,
and the Missouri compromise, now almost uni
versally at the South conceded to have been the
fruitful source of our present dangers, ripen to
a pernicous harvest Of mischief The partial
reaction, which has taken place at the North,
in resistance of abolition fanaticism, though
claimed for this compromise, is really due only
to the strong manifestations of discomfort at the
South, and q determination there to endure no
further aggression; and concusively indicates
how much more fully, by a concert of action
and union of sentiment on the part of our peo-
pie and their representatives at an earlier PERIOD
our wrongs might have been averted and our
rights vindicated Torender this reaction effect
i've for any future good, it is indispensable that
its causes should be actively continued and in
creased. Ceaseless vigilance in discovering and
promptitude and unanimity in asserting our
rights and our constitutional guarantees, can
alone give a chance of perpetuating the Union
as our fathers made it, and of maintaining our
institutions and our property in security and
peace The Indications of the future, notwith-
standing the late extreme excitement, are full of
montion and danger. The free-soil organiza-
ton, lately in effective ascendency throughout
the whole North, has been, by the attainment of
sttuent forces have been by kindred affinities
attracted to and are now being emerged in the
avowed Abolition party. That party this day ex-
alts its crest higher, and is more bold, defiant
and numerous than at any previous period of our
history. With its ulterior designs concur many
maon influences, not the least of which may be
found in the cant and pseudo philanthrophy Of
the day, which il is the fashion to dignity with
the name and honor with the importance of the
moral sentiment of the world. This party,
from sagacious foresight of the only instru-
mentalities through which it can hope for the
ultimate accomplishment of its full designs al
lies itself too, with the most bigoted adherents
of ancient federalism, and, seeking to PROSTATE
the securest bulwarks of our rights, the State
sovereignties, strives to consolidate and nation
alize a great central government. With insi-
dious cunning it invokes the name Of Union,
and clamorously appeals to the fears OF the
timid, and the hopes of the brave, to the sacred
associations of the past and the proud anticlpa-
| tions of the future, in order to mallgn the mo-
| tives and destroy the usefulness of the truest
| friends both Of the Union and the South, be-
cause the most vgilant guardians OF the Con-
stitution, and the sternest opponents of the un-
holy designs of these "aooloes in Sleeps cloth
ing No inconsiderable portion of the South
|
| enough to be deluded by the devices, and loudly
| swell the chorous of peans to their oppressors,
of obloquy and reproach to their real defenders
Meantime, in greater or less degree, have been
brought under abolition influences the press
the schoolhouse, the pulpit of the North-and
through their agencies, the people and institu-
tions of the South are systematically derdei
and maligned and the principle inculcated, that
by the strong hand of the federal government,
| is all organized action, even OF the State SOW
ereignties for their protection and defense, to be
crushed and extinguished These tendencies,
unchecked, can have but one result, and that at
| no distant day. Upon the subyerted founda-
tions of our simple constitutional system, will
be established the worst form OF despotism: a
great consolidated government, without limita-
| ton of powers, administered at the will and
according to the caprice or interests of a mere
numerical majority. That majority must be at
the North; and, if already, the sentiments and
sympathies Of its masses are 80 strongly arrayed
against our property and institutions, what of
| peace and security can be hoped for in the fu-
ture, from its thickening numbers, its swelling
tide of fanaticsm, prejudice and cupidity! Un-
der its administration of unlimited power, we OF
the South would speedily have no alternative
but abject submission, ruin and desoatlon, or
forcible disruption and civil war, with no right
acknowledged us, but that of the worm, to
turn when trod upon"
Fellow-citizens, have no expectation oi
ever again participating in the public councils
| have no motives, as God knows l have nc
wish, to alarm your fears or disappont your
hopes. My all, my property, my family, my
life itself are identified with your security and
prosperity. These considerations would surely
suffice TO guarantee my disinterestedness and
| sincerity; but, in addition, | am bound by the
lively gratitude ! feel for yeur past favors, and
by the strongest sense of duty, in my briei
words Of parting, TO deal with the utmost can.
| dor and frankness | do, then, as the result OF
nv best observations and most deliberate re.
Elections, solemnly and earnestly warn you
that the future is still lowering with impending
dangers to your property and institutions; and
that the b st, if not the only means, of both
perpetuating the constitutional Union Of our
| forefathers and Of handing down to our children
and their posterity the rich heritage and un-
numbering blessings we enjoy, is for our people
10 be ever vgant, determined and united, in
repeling the first approach Of wrong, in main.
tanning 10 the utmost all the guaranteed rights
Of our section-and, above all, in upholding, in
their full plenitude, the soyereignties of the
States, and their sacred obligation Of interpOsi.
ton tor the defense or protection of their citi-
zens against federal encroachment. BE liberal
and true 10 representatives who are prompt 10
assert and vindicate your rights, and steadfasi
10 the friends Of your section and its institution
everywhere. The dread Of the popular majori-
" at the North, and the appliances of the fede-
| raj government, are but too potent at best, 10
| fright or seduce the public men Of the country
! from their fidelity 10 the South and its cause.
Let not be superadded, TO dismay or dishearten
them, misirust Of your confidence and appre.
hension Of your desertion and rebuke. BE not
deluded by clamoFous professors of ultra devo-
ton 20 the Union, or by the bugbears Of disSo.
luton and civil war. with which they would af.
fright your imagnatons. Judge the faith OF
these excessive patriots by their works-the
tree by its fruits. VIII they not be found, IN
regard TO the Constitution they profess so much
10 revere. latitudinarinns by confession--prompi
ever 10 enlarge L. provisions, aud indifferent TO
iis violation In reference 10 the institutions
% yoar State. and section, are they not gen.
orally lukewarm. The lat 10 feel your rights or
your wrongs, aud th. first 10 prollsr surrender