The southern press., 1852-01-27
Tbe distress OF the Union.

The Distress Of the Union.
We did not intend TO protract the argument
on the compromise after The Southern States
had all determined not to resist IT, Whilst any
OF them were celebrating, we attempted to per.
form our duty iu discussing that measure, for
the question az TO what was to be done was
practical. But when all immediate resistance
was renowned, we were disposed to abstain
from further reference to the topic, except when
provoked by the commentaries of others. We
Were content with the performance of our duty
on the subject. We found that majority in
the South differed from US. And believing that
time and events would viadicate the course we
pursued. We were willing to abide their develop
ments with composure. And We intended to
consider such other topics as became Of public
interest We believed that the compromise
was fatal to the Union and Constitution The
preparation of such a fagitious scheme plum
der and fraud as that, in the face of such Con-
sttution as ours, was such a sarcasm on written
constitutions and on free government, and on po-
pnlar integrity and intelligence, that we knew it
would produce violent reaction, or mark moral
revolution in our political system. The argu-
ment, however, had failed generally with the
States of the South, and we could only await
the vindication of our course by events-those
eqents which obedient to the great moral laws
of the world, so frequently intervene in human
affairs, to expose, to punish and to oounteract the
Puny purposes of human folly and perversity.
Having been defeated in what we considered the
only adequate and legitimate remedy, the resist
ance Of the States to the compromise. we felt for
our friends and ourselves absolved from the re-
sponsibiity Of all the consequences we are
determined still to repudiate all such RESPONSE
bility and to see that those who assumed it by
adopting different policy, shall not eyade it.
But we are not permitted the repose on this
question, as we expected and desired The CON-
promise is even more futile and evennescent
than we expected. We supposed that the
North, flushed with such victory and the
recreant South, supported by such an over-
whelming vote, would be able to get along
for few years, or at least through the next
Presidential election. We thought that com
promise ticket might prevail But behold the
thing has already failed. 1t is discovered at
once that the compromise is precisely the thing
that won't do. 1t is either too much, or too
little. The North, reasoning logically enough,
insists that if slavery is so confessedy odious
that the slave trade is abolished in the District of
Columbia, under the pains and penalties of Abo.
lition, it ought not to be enforced north of Ma.
sons g. DmoS's line by the federal reclamation
offugitiye slaves; and that If the vast and afuent
territory of California could be wrested from the
South on suck fimsy and shallow pretences,
why cannot the national District of Columbia,
ofhve or Six square miles, be also redeemed from
the curse and the disgrace And if the Union
loving and national South submit to the one,
why not to the otherl Accordingly, the North
repndiates the compromise. Vermont very fatty
and frankly nullided the fugitive slave law at
once. But this we were told by the Union.
compromisers was mistake, an oversight, CON-
mitted in haste, and in ignorance, at the close Of
the session, and that would be renowned the next
year. Such was the testimony of respectable
and responsible Vermonters, and, among Others
eI Senator PHILIPS wrote letter TO that effect.
Well the Legislature has met again-and an
attempt has been deliberately made to repeal
the law, and the attempt has utterly failed-and
the Southern submissionists, modest gentlemen
who promised what great things they would do
If the compromise was not respected, where are
theyl Quiet as so many mice Well, there Is
the Boston outrage, the ChriStiana outrage, and
the Syracuse outrage-all cases of The public
rescue offugitiyes from the hands of federal au.
thority, with violence and, in one case, with
murder. This we were told was treason, and
hanging was promised as the appropriate rene.
dy, for Southern violated honor and right. Well,
trials has occurred in two cases out Of the three
and what is the result--ths culprits are un.
touched
Well then, what Is become Of the political and
party consequences Of the compromise! What
are the chances Of electing an original compro.
mise mani Mr. CLAY, the protector of that
measure, sunk from the moment Of lie passage
into the class e the most hopeless of unayaila-
bles-and Gen CAss, his lieutenant, may posi-.
bly, get the complimentary nomination of hi,
own State, and may be the second choice Of two
or three other States Mr.WEBsrKR has OBJ.
tanned the nomination Of his party in one State,
but that party is in a minority there, almost for
the inst time, and that on account OF the com.
promise-whilst Mr.. FILLMORE has no chance Of
the nomination Of his own State for the came
reason. Hence, General Scorr becomes the
prominent candidate Of the Wings, for he did
not vote for the Compromise, and has promised
that he will not promise 10 support IT,
AS the compromise has failed TO secure the
political or party objects for which Il was con-
hlved, so Il is consOIstory to reflect that il has
failed to accomplish its selfish sectional objects
70 A preat ertant IN h.a indaod ,;.o, a.. MI