The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-11

Constitution arc 10 be exterminated, shall not join
in the war against them. ii Webster 10 to be
crusbe d in Massachusetts, and Dickinson trampled
down ia New York, because they have been will
ing 10 do what in their judgment the Constitution
hem TO do in behalfo rghtsofthe South
At least will not fghtin the ranks against them If
the blood OF allies to be she'd il shall not san
my hands. Concurrence in such proceeding
would, on the part Of southern men, be not only
criminal, but in the highest degree impotic.
There would be terrible recoil on US. When
hereafter the anti slavery ariy, inyigorated by
us, and the minority call upon patriotic men Of
the North to aid US, what response can we expect?
Will they not point us to the graves Of former
northern allies, and remind US that we in the ha-
bit OF of our friends the moment ease to
need their aid and Of permitting them to be sacri-
feed to crafty the vengeance of the Abolitonists?
We shall be left TO our own energies and collision
between the two sections will most probably result
in the overthrow of the Government. The whole
anti slavery movement in the North has been On
constitutional and sectional. They have sought to
pervert from their Legitimate purposes the powers
with which the Federal Government was invested
for the protection Of all the States and their cti
Gems. and to use them as means Of attack against
the people OF the Southern States 1t ia not less I'M
just than it would be If the guns on the ramparts
OF fortress, stationed there to repe the external
enemy, should be turned inward by those having
them in charge, and fired at part Of the garrison.
Instead OF cooperating with such traitors to the
Constitution il is the duty OF the South to oppose
tnem. MY advlce 10 the men oil my own section 10
to come together, 30 that they may In body stand
by the national men Of the North. II we do that,
we shall have friends enough there to assist US in
giving the Government national line of policy.
As long as we are divided-as long as we give as
much aid TO our enemies as to our friends--we
may expect to be sufferers
have confined my remarks for the present to
the bearing merely Of the slavery questions. OF
course, there are other important points of policy
be considered in connection with the choice Of candi
dates for the Presidency. wish to be understood
a. being neither the advocate nor the opponent Of
any named candidate. What have said has, as 1t
pprpors to have, reference only general principles
Of action. IL have made reference to the action
of the Northern Democracy, it 10 not because do
not find matter for condemnation. As am not
connected with them by party affinity, of course
am in no way responsible for their past future
conduct. My purpose at this time ia merely to
show upon what terms am willing to cooperate
with the northern section Of the Wing party.
have thus rapidly and hurriediy glanced at
some Of the points now under discussion in the
prints of the day MY purpose has been to com
press what wished to say within such narrow
limits. that those editors who regard my individual
course as a matter of sufficient moment to the pub
lie to justify their making it matter of discussion
may be able to place these views before their
readers without sacrifice Of too much space in
their columns.
Very respectfully,
T. L. CLINGMAN