The southern press., 1852-05-22
Southern Sentiment.

Southern Sentiment.
AS the period for the meeting Of the Bati-
more Convention approaches, there is general
showing Of hands all round. The sentiment
of the Southern Rights Democracy is indicated
very strongly of late from quarters hitherto
silent We have collected various expressions
of that sentiment from leading Southern papers,
some of which we have already laid before our
readers. We give few more this morning,
conceiving them to. be more interesting than
our own speculation., just at this time
They are taken from influential papers. We
will preface them by the resolutions presented
by Mr.. WISE, which have attracted much atten.
ton.
At the Democratic convention in the seventh
Congressionaldistr of Virginia, held at Hamp.
ton on the 18th inst, the following resolutions
were introduced BY Nj. WISE and unanimously
adopted:
let. RESOLVED, That the right of the federal
Union, and the right of peace in their domestic
and federal relations, are among the most nyio-
liable of the rights of the States.
I'd. That, as the Union was formed, and the
peace of the States is best defended, by the
Constitution of the United States, every gross,
palpable and deliberate infrac,on of that instru.
ment, by whomsoever perpetrated or persisted in,
whether by State or federal authority, is an at
tack upon the Union, a breachof the peace, and
an invasion of the rights of the States and
should be avoided by the federal government,
and, if necessary, redressed by the sovereign
parties to the federal compact. To acquiesce
in such infractions is not to consent to what the
Constitution is known to be, but it is either
usurpingy to claim or basely to submit that il
may be violated.
Sd. We therefore solemnly pledge ourselves
to each other, and to our common country, to
unite in enforcing faithful execution of all the
provisions of the federal Constitution and OF
all laws made in pursuance thereof whatever
may be the subject Of public policy which their
execution may involve. And the Constitution
of the United States, the rights of the States,
and the union of the States, must and shall be
preserved"
4th. Resolped, That our delegates to the Ma.
tional Democratic convention be instructed in
case resolutions restricting the execution of the
fugitive slave law and the other compromise
measures of Congress- be offered to that BODY
to present the three foregoing resolutions, as
containing our sentiments and resolves on these
and all similar topics.
The above resolutions were sustained by Mr.
Wise in a speech Of marked ability, and, on mo
ton, were unanimously adopted by the conyen
ton.
On motion of NJ. B. Seawell, esq, il was
ReSolred, That our delegates be instructed 4
advocate q strict adherence 10 the two. third
rule in the Baltimore convention.
The Montgomery Advertiser and Gazette re
publishes the letter Of our Alabama correspond
ent and thus endorses one Of its main state
ments.
SENTIMENT OF ALABAMA, REGARpIxG tn
PREsrDEScY.-We take the following le,te
from the last Souihern Press. We are qui
sure that il speaks the sentiments Of quite
large and influential portion (quite too much 5
20 be dsregarded) Of the Democracy Of Alab;
ma. We have already warned the Democrac
Of the experiment of again nominating Geners
Cass. Combinations Of our opinions of his ur
popularity in our State reach us by every mai
Wesay, most emphatically, that the experiment
would be dangerous even in Alabama. Nc
thing on earth will save him the vote of hi
State should he be nominated but the diflicu
ty which would arise between the discontente
portions Of the two parties uniting upon a thir
candidate. We are not at all certain that n
nominations Of Gen. Cass and Gen. Scott, &
the Democratic and Wing conventions, wou
not remove this obstacle
The Mississppidn, referring 10 the Batimor
convention, speaks Of the two.thirds rule in Il
following terms:
There il proneness among the great ma
Of the people 10 distrust the action Of par
conventions; and while we yield most hear
assent TO their pecessity as n means Of embod
ing party streIgth-as the only fair means-u
would rather Still further restrict, than 10 r.
move any impedments 10 their action. In mo-
cases The candidate Of bare msjority will n,
possess sufficient title 10 the confidence an
support Of the party. Although IL Is an estal
lished maxim in our party and governmer
that the majority shall rule, the fact should nc
be lost sight Of that majority. from the natur
Of things, never have, and probably never vii
participate directly or indirectly, in the gettin
up Of conventions, saye by a tacit assent.
The two-thirds rule is the guarantee Of N
rights OF the minority against the mfjority
has been happily called the constitution of IN
Democratic party. IL has worked well.
sOff " pfS'tUtra tuc OF van buref
and al that convention and four years later wa
aequ'esced In as the regular, fixed policy Of th
party. The Virginia Democracy at their lat
convention, instructed their delegates 10 di.
countensnce ell movements for its repeal.
insist on IL as the settled usage Of the party
aud many prominent Democrats declared that
the convention should refuse 10 re-enact IN
rule, their representatives. should unhesitatinol
abandon the convention. II is peculiarly IN
safeguard Of the Southern Democracy, whereof
they are enabled TO protect themselves again,
the nomination Of men who might be dispose
TO barter their peace for the support Of Abol
Gonists.
We have said thus much, not because we fes
any serions attempt to repeal the rule, but be
cause others OF our contemporaries, opposed :
hs repeal, have spprehended such danger, an
that there may be no doubt Of the determinatio
to insist upon II a. settled and vital rule Q
policy OF The Democratic party"
Responding TO the Cassville Standard IN
Columbus Times uses this language, reiteratin
the warnings made in Mr.. FoRsYrH's letter.
The Sfa,adayd sneers at ou, cb.,.o,a, of