The southern press., 1852-03-23
For he Southsvn Press.
What Is the true Policy Of the south In Re-
gard to the next Presidential Election.


The Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, distin-
guished representative in Congress from Geor-
gia, and staunch advocate of the finality of
the compromise" in private letter to friend,
now become public, declares himself "utterly
opposed to sending delegates to the Baltimore
convention" meaning, presume, the Demo
cratic convention. In this perfectly agree
with him; but should have been better pleased
had he extended his disapprobation to Wing
convention, should such one be contemplated.
1t is clear from this letter, which is extremely
well written, that Mr.. Stephens is becoming
aware that the compromise is not exactly a
"inality," and that co-operation of either Of
the Southern parties with either Of those of the
North, must be brought about, not by conces.
sions, or guarantees to the former, but by ac-
quiescence in new encroachments of the latter
In order the more clearly to comprehend the
actual position of the South, it seems necessary
to take brief glance at the present state of the
two great parties, now disputing the ascendency
in the government of the United States.
That section of the Wing party which seems
about TO rally round Mr.. Fillmore, or Mr.. Web
ster, make it a sine qua non that their candidate
for the Presidency shall maintain the " finality"
Of the compromise in all its parts; while that
portion of which Mr.. Seward is supposed to
be the head, maintain it is not final, either with
respect to the fugitive slave law, or against
future aggressions of the Aboltionists. On the
other hand, it is said that portion Of the
Northern Democratic party, in like manner, rally
round the finality Of the compromise, while it
is certain that far greater portion, called Free
soilers, are sternly adverse to it, on the ground
of the fugitive slave law, and especially, because
it does not embody the Wimot proviso in so
many words.
As yet, no party, North, East, or West, has
shown the slightest disposition to cooperate
with the South in defence of its institutions.
No party has ventured to come forward in oppor
sition TO the settled, avowed policy of the Abo
litionists and Freesoilers. No Northern party
dares to do SO; for these two adjuncts of one
and the same faction, would at once array
themselves in opposition to any candidate who
declared himself willing to make the slightest
to the South and holding, as they
almost certainly do, the balance of power in the
North, would defeat any obnoxious aspirant to
the Presidency
Why then, it may be asked, should either
party in the South send delegates to the Balt-
more convention, or any convention but their
owns The only rational ground for such
procedure, would be the expectation, 81 the
hope of their being instrumental in directing,
or, at least, influencing its proceedings Is
there any ground for such expectation or hope
They will assuredly be in a minority in sup
porting their principles; and should they VEN
ture to stipulate any conditions favorable to
themselves, all parties, Wing and Democratic,
will combine against them-for they will oc-
cupy position in which all are more or less
their opponents. At most, they will get nothing
but the finality Of the compromise" and is that
an object worth contendng for? Does any
man, not naturally or wilfully blind, believe that
the fugitive slave law can be enforced in Ver-
mont, where it has been nullifed by an act OF
the legislature or in Massachusetts, New York,
Pennsyixsaia, Ohio, Michigan, and other Wes-
tern States, half peopled by Yankee Abolition.
lists, and German Socialists Do they believe
that either the authorities Of these States, or OF
the United States, would, if they could, enforce
this law, at the risk. nay, with the absolute
certainty of running their political prospects by
their doing their duty! Almost everywhere,
experience has proved that the public officers
cannot if they would, and would not If they
could, enforce this law, and that n they did, the
courts and uries would acquit its violators, even
when resistance was carried 10 the extent Of
murder. What, then, do Northern politicians,
and Southern acquiescents, mean by the final.
iiy Of the compromise ?" They mean only that
il shall be final as respects everything injurious.
insulting, or offensive 10 the South, and null
and void as to the only measure in which all its
representatives heartily concured.
The sole agency of Southern delegates to
Northern convention, will be limited TO choice
VI S'hP1 iDi +" 70 oSoiOtig nltulu TIE reach VI
possibility that a candidate for the Presidency
10 the least favorable TO Southern rights will be
selected, for reasons have just specified. Their
choice, if they make any, must be Hopson's
choice, or that Of the French people-that or
none They will exercise the right of acceding
10 the selection, not Of the candidate who is
most agreeable, but OF him who is least disa
greeable. As in the case Of the compromise.
"they must take the best they can get" and be
thankful for the smallest favors. They must
accede to the support Of candidate who. e
"pledges" are least hostile to their rights, their
interests, and their safety. II seems 10 me that
this would be placing the South in false and
degraded position. Surely il is not reduced so
low in spirit or in strength. as to sioop to such
an alternative But il has lately been accus-
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