The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-24


heart Of the statesman. M.
A Northern View or Southern Duties.
The following interesting letter has beer
handed US by leading member Of the State
Rights party. II was written to him by gen
tleman who formerly filled high public posi-
ton, was leading member Of Congress, bu,
has retired from public life.
Far the Southern Press.
Ono, April, 1882
Sir What | am going to offer for your
consideration, and that of the whole delegation
in Congress- from the slave labor States, is this
II the iactonists should ultimately succeed in
breaking through the late compromise measure
through the action of majority in Congress
(and isl it certain that they may not-thirst for
office is 80 rife 3 what position, in that case
should the delegation from the slave States
take and determine to maintain, in justice to
the Union and their States What am going
to offer for the reflection of Southern gentlemen
in the premises, shall be intended only az defer
entail suggestions. TO make myself rightly
understood though, ! must go into merits that
some might perhaps think, should not be stirred
up this day. We know that it is easy to com.
ment on difficulties that we have rot been en-
gagged in; studying the errors of the past, how
ever, enables us to improve and profit in the flu
ture; at the same time, what may be an error
under some circumstances may not be 80 under
others, unless where fundamental principle is
involved, in which case, error leads, more or
less, to deeterious results.
1t is unfortunate that the posture of the slave
labor States is, and has been for some time
past rather an anomalous one; they are not.
nor have been, true to themselves. And how
they shall get into deci 1edly elevated attitude
that may not be assaulted with impunity, get into
condition that will give them due sound
strength in their intentional relations, is the
question. have long felt satisfied in nv mind
that the integrity Of the Union--the chief Sc
curity towards conserving the prosperity and
happiness of the American people-depended
on the slave labor States, asserting their rights
from stronger position than merely defens-
i've one; from position solidly utitarisn, and
rightly political, as will explain. And in this
point of view, it is incumbent on the Southern
States to entertain no man for President or
Vice President, but such as will honestly con.
strue the Constitution literally as it is, and
maintain the equal rights of he States and their
people in and to the territory in their full ati-
sumptive schemery whatever.
There is no Intelligent honest hearted man
but will acknowledge that the slave labor
States have been, of late years, necessarily per
secuted and wronged by factions and unprinci-
pied politicians of the other States, interfering,
without particle of right or cause whatever,
with their slave labor polity, moved in general
by gross venal motive; and consequently, the
sympathies and best efforts of all honorable
patriotic men are with them-the slave States
for securing justice And in this there is no
special merit; it is only acting out the feaiy
that all United States allegiants owe to the
Union, observing their duty to the Constitu-
ton.
One advantage (explaining position solidly
utilitarian,') the Southern States possess over
the others, and that is, superiority of climate
and commercial situation and since have been
with Southern gentlemen, have
been endeavorng to impress on their attention
the Importance of carrying this advantage into
foil use; and that if they would do so, it would
render them far superior in prosperity and pow
er to the other States. Climate enables the
South to grow all products that the North does,
and to grow all important products that the
North in its climate cannOt--cOtton, sugar. rice,
tea, coffee in Florida, various fruits, &C. Among
the cotton fields, cotton manufactures are in
progress, working up the raw material where it
is raised--one great step this, through which
you will become above competition in cheap
ness Of cotton fabrics. Next: cover your whole
range of mountain hills on from Virginia to
Georgia inclusive with focks of sheep and
again, MS in cotton, establishing wooden facto-
res by the side of the cheaper raw material.
you will become above competition in cheap.
ness of woolens. Through mildness of climate
throughout the year among those mountain
hills, you can grow wool from three to four
times as cheap as it can be done In the other
States with their long hard winters and hot
summers. In the North and Northwestern States
the keeping ola sheep is 81 so year, while
along the mountain hills of Georgia some %
cents year. This is ascertaine1 from invcs-
tgaton of the subject What glorious fu.
ture! if you will only will it through energetic
enterprise and industrialism, and well determin.
ed, stern position on constitutional principle
Let me say to the South, and with all defer
ence, inquire into, develop, and bring into action
your inherents and resources in ali their capa.
biities. Go into general agriculture, and into
trade with the world direct from your own ports;
nurture into full existence that all-reschinc arm
a merchant marine cotton manufactures you
are extending; get into all others Tor which you
have raw material; and will not the high circum
stances, as noted, of domestic economy, carried
into full progressive effect, place you In an at.
titude defiant to all the spurious interferences,
through false issues of the anticonstitutional
factions that have been shamelessly engendered
in the non. slave States! have always, as has
been said, been enforcing propositions of this
utilitarian nature on the minds of Southern gen
tlemen; will they not be thus practically solidly
true to themselves! And would not such an
order of results among the States do much to-
wards more intimately fraternizing them, e, ca
State using its local resources to full effect.
carrying out the aggregate prosperity of the
whole in union!
1t may be surmised perhaps. why evince
such interest in the welfare of the South. Why.
my sense of universal right in all justice is with
you, seeing how ungenerously you have been
prosecuted and wronged, how unjustly You have
been treated by venal statesmen and reckless
fctionists in the other States; and believing
also, that series of persistence in this course
of bad faith to the unonal compact, and viola.
ton of the Constitution, must ultimately dis
rupt the Union. Hence my anxiety that you
should. bV bringing into action vnur vnst I'd