The southern press., 1851-11-07
From, y, Dill, (.Ale. ) Gssstts.

| Twelve months ago, We were in the midst Of
political convulsion, such as our country had
never before witns ssd The Northern section
of the confsderacy had gained the complete as
tendency In the government, and had the control
of its every department; spd the rapid increase
Of its numerical strength had 80 far out-stripped
that Of the South, AS to place the question oft
perpetual supremacy beyond doubt. Bat not
content with its position, goaded on by jealousy,
fanatcism, aud Unsuitable ambition, it had resoly-
ed upon fixing an nsuperable barrier to the fu-
ture increase and prosperity of the South. To
effect this, the South was 10 be debsrsed from
any participa ion in the vast territories belong
ing in common to all the States and the insti-
tuition OF ofslavery, in which consisted its strength
was to be surrounded by Gordon of free States
Thus crippled and confined, the institution, by
continual agitation upon its borders, was to be
compressed into smaller and yet smaller area,
by the natural increase of the black over the
white race, it should finally work out its own
abolition in blood The plan had been concoc-
ted and openly declared in the celebrated Will
mot Provso but this, having called forth the
unanimous Indignation Of the Southern States,
had been abandoned and superseded by the more
covert and indirect compromise Of Clay, Foote.
d Co. This measure, the more detestable, be-
ecause the least liable to exposure, had just re-
ceived the sanction of Congress-. The whole
South was in a state Of fermentation. Old par
ties seemed disbanded. All admit ed the wrong;
and the only question which appeared open to
discussion, was the manner and measure of re-
sistance.
TO us there appeared but one remedy adequate
to the wrong; and that was dissolution of
the bonds of Union. For this we had declared,
and for this were resolved to contend. Many
of our brethren of tho press had taken the samo
stand with US, and for time we acted in unison.
But from some cause or other (we will not say
WHAT, some began to modify their positions
to talk about non.intercOurse--resist IN the
Union--presenting alternatives--and the like
The secession" was modified into the Southern
Rights resistance party" and thus, in one way
and another, that harmony and unity of purpose
which should have marked our course, was sup
planted by discord and dissension.
Taking the ground we did, we did not expect
we had no reason to expect, an immediate
triumph. We had prejudices, long standing af
fections and associations, and selfish, unambi-
tious and principled demagogues to combat
All this we had anticipated; and had the result
Of the late elections been doubly disastrous to
our cause, we should not have despaired Asi
is, while we regret the disaffection apparent in
our ranks we feel highly encouraged to go on;
and we truly believe that if, as party, we would
now unite--eschew all connection with Whig
gerry and Democracy-and know no purpose but
that of the independence of the South, that in
less than five years, our cause would be triumph
ant. New acts of aggression will be committed
The North cannot, and will not, cease to oppress
us. Her leading men may strive for a little
while to stay the torrent they haved aided in
creating, but its power is beyond their control
They will be compelled to follow the current or
sink beneath it, Every new injury, if we remain
united, must give US strength. The people of
the South will not always bear, nor can they
forever be deceived. The time will come when
they will wake from their apathy to see the
mine over which they slumber-it may be late,
but it will come Such, at least is our fixed be.
lief; and let others do as they will, until our
party shall desert ITSELF and our patrons leave
us to the cold charities of buried cause, our
efforts shall be directed they have heretofore
been, to the production of unity among our
selves and freedom from Northern domination