The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-29
Tho Altitude Of tho FreeselIcrs.

The Altitude Of the FreeseiIcrs.
The bold stand taken by the Abotionists of
late, must have surprised every one. Not only
has the most stern and implacabe spirit been
manifested by the fanatical Abolitionists under
their separate organization, but the same uu.
the Freesoil or political portion of the same
party. The speeches of Mr.. WAsHBURN, of
Maine, on the Wing side of the House, and OF
Mr. CARTIER, of Ohio, on the Democratic, in
the last week, show this. In the Senate, the de-
bate which we give to-day, and Dir. SUMMERS
very decided declarations prove that the armis
tice is nearly over, and that the renewal of still
fercer agitation on this question may be expected
30 soon as the nominations are disposed of:
Hence, we concur most cordially in the view
taken by Mr.. DAWSON and Mr.. BUTLER in that
discussion. This is not matter to be lodged or
deferred 1.-THE contest must come-let it come
The sooner we understand the purposes of that
party the better. The South cannot consent to
tamper with so dangerous question, nor CO.
operate with men who are but waiting con.
venisnt opportunity to "let slip the dogs of
war" upon them.
It is now evident, that We are to have no
peace If these men can prevent it-for they
will not even hold out now the promise of
peace. Listen how cody and how plainly the
Tribune talks upon this subject as to the inten-
tons of the Wing Freesoilers-collate this with
fho dorlo vntiO do b,,u
the floor of the Senate, on behalf of the Freeso
Democrats, and then judge whether mischief is
not afoot.
The Tribune says;
"The Freesoil Wings who urge the nomina.
ton of Gen. Scott do not desire that he would
'lend the influence of his administration to any
agitation adverse to the fugitive slave law. or
bearing upon that subject. Having condemned
such exertion of influence on the other side
by Mr.. Fillmore, they would be prompt to con.
denim any such interpositon by executive power
by Gen. Scott. Whatthey ask and expect
of him if elected is, that he will let slavery
and anti-slauery agitation entirely alone, and
devote himself to the discharge of his proper
executive duties. We expect him to en-.
force all the laws of the United States which
he finds on the statute book unless and until
they shall be repealed by Congress- or pro.
nounced invalid by the supreme court We
expect him to treat all Wings with equal favor,
whether they be pro.slavery or anti. slavery,
champions of 'finality' or advocates of a Judi.
cious and considerate modification of some of
the harsher features of the fugitive slave law.
We DO not ask that Wing candidate for
President shall agree with US upon any question
respecting slavery; we only demand that he
shall not prescribe and treat US "a enemies be-
cause OF our conscientious convictions. In fine
we demand that he shall be Wing President.
elected on Wing issue, and not merely or
mainly on the fugitive slave law. Is this ask
ing too much
And again:
And nothing in the world could give greater
strength and activity to the anti.slavery element
IN our politics than coalition or connvance of
the TWO great antagonist parties to stfle and
exungulsh II. Far from accomplishing the
manly which the Erpress talks of, it would
signallze the commencement of new and
sterner agitation. The intelligence, the philan-
thropy, the conscience of the American people
are all adverse to the perpetuation of human
slavery in our country and anxious for it's termi-
nation. In vain do interest, quiet, trade, con.
servatism, plead for absolute silence indifference
finality; as we'll might the two great parties
consPire to interdict and prevent the summer
meitlng OF SHOWS on our mountains as TO inhbt
further anfl-sIavery agitation. If they really
wish the matter kept as quiet as possible, thew
will discreetly let it alone ANY Herod and.
Plate coalition for the suppression OF anti.
slavery sentiment will be certain to re act AGAINST
the contrivers and their object"
These vaunts and menaces of the Freesoilers
have inspired indignation at the South, which
finds its vent through the press. The Colum.
6us (Ga.,) Sentinel, takes this notice of them:
"!HE UNION OF THE DEMocRAcY."-We are
indebted to member of Congress for pamph
let speech of Hon. N. s. Townshend, of Ohio.
delivered in the House of Representatives on
the 18th March last, upon this very interesting
subject. lie makes some startling disclosures
which ought to interest our readers.
"He denounces the fugitive slave law of 1893
as unconstitutional. The acts of Congress- upon
the subject of slavery in the District of Coum.
pla share the same fate. The act of CONGRESS-
accepting the cessions of territory from North
Carolina and Georgia TO the United States. in
winch II was provided that Congress- should
never ABOLISH slavery there--the failure of Con-
gres' 70 give freedom to all slaves in Florida
ano me MISSOURI territory-and the lately
passed fugitive slave law-are all regarded os
90 many infractions of the Constitution md
must be repealed, in the opinion of the bonora.
ole gentleman, before the South can expect the
NORTH TO cease the agitation of the slavery cues.
Ton: Nay, more: Congress must abolish slav
cry In the District of Columbia--the coastwise
slave trade must be stopped-the inter State
slave trade prohibited-and then the South NAV
have peace but not till then
"f1e treats with contempt the threat Of Georgia
TO secede from the Union if the fugitive bill is
repealed:
." have heard it sad that if the fugitive
slave bill is repealed, or slavery abolished in this
district. the South will dissolve the Union but,
gentlemen, the cry has been heard too often to
make much impression upon the North. Com.
ing from mat quarter, it is simply nonsense for
VINO does not know that the Union ia infinitely
more important to the shareholders, than the
aiaveholders are to the Unony think of thi.
cry OF dissolvng the Union as do Of the bow.
threat, who, because his mother would not suffer
-