The southern press., 1852-05-11
From the South-Side Democrat.
No Peace.

II is a pity, grieyous pity, that the men OF
the South will not or cannot discern the truth
Ears have they but they hear not, eyes have
they but they see not. Deception and delusion
have blinded and cheated them. Events of
startling moment are unheeded by those whom
they most concern, and portents of dire signf
canoe excite not even passing comment or
momentary apprehension.
The prosperity of the Southern States, and
their existence as distinct community depend
upon the perpetuation of the institution of
slavery Whatsoever affects that affects their
welfare whatsoever destroys that by the same
stroke brushes them. Not their material WELL
being only, but their liberty and their happi
ness their political and constitutional rights,
fall to the earth when slavery is extinguished.
A powerful party is organized, with but one
animating and impelling principle, hostility to
slavery, and with but the single aim of its over
throw. The growth Of this party, has been like
the gradual expansion of the cloud seen by the
prophet-at first but speck in the sky; now
like a black pail, il shrouds the heavens and
shuts out from the eye every ray OF hope. The
progress of the abolition party has been an Z.
vance from conquest to conquest, and its march
has been an uninterrupted triumph. Ii has never
sustained monetary repulse, much less suf.
re-colect its scattered forces-if il sumbers, It's
but TO recruit its exhausted strength. II can
neither be awed into submission nor be lulled
to repose, but with ever increasing speed, il
presses forward 10 the final overthrow Of sla-
very. This is the nature of abolition, as every
body knows.
Now, what has been the conduct Of Southern
men, in opposition TO foe, that can be diverted
fron tha tion IF ifo "A "A
ruin and desolaton, by no pleadings Of mercy
and no cries for quarter? Have they accepted
the alternative Of victory or DEATH and prepared
to make Thermopyln stand against the inva
der? Alas, no. They have implored, while
their Ell treaties were derided they have CON-
promised with foe that would accept no terms
but an absolute surrender They have retreat
ed and temporzed and parleyed-the enemy
meanwhile buckling on the armor for the last
assault
Shall this suicidal policy be pursued farther ;
Will Southern men fast close their eyes, and re.
fuse to be admonished by the trumpet toned
events Of the hourl Will they still cheat
themselves into the belief that they can APP
pease the appetite Of abolition by concession
or stay its progress by compromise II such
be their delusioD, let il be dispeled by the bold
and insulting menaces Of abolition. The new
York Tribune shu's out all hope of peace, and
thus proclaims a war Of determination.
The ErPress2perfectly knows already that
such a Peace as il talks of--namely entire
silence at the North respecting slavery, with
unbroken acquiesceuce in the fugitive slave law
cannot be conquered If.all the politicians Of
both parties we're 10 assent 10 such Peace,
nothing would come Of II but delusion and dis
appointment. The people are not thus to be
trammcled--ihe free spirit and awakened con.
science Of the nation refuse 10 be thus con.
quered. Pass Just such resolve al Baltimore
as Toombs or Marshall might draft, and IL
would do nothing toward allaying agitation
but very much toward discom6tting the Wing
party. You may pass any sort Of fugitive
slave law resolve in Wing national convention
pronounce slsve-hunting finality,' and de-
nounce as traitors all who will not take part in
it--yet you know--yes, you, Messrs. ]. a. T..
Brooks that no single hatcr Of slavery would
hate il the less; no contemner Of the fugitive
slave law would be siIenced or cowed By the
mancuver There would be not one less anti.
slavery man the day after than there was The
day before your conquest--and nobody would
be conquered by il except, probably, the Wing
party.