Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-11-04
THE QUESTION OF THE DAY.


and South, in regard to it. No gift of prophecy
was needed to foreshadow the disturbing effect of
breaking up an old compact which, in the language
of an eminent Senator, had long been " consecrat-
ed in the hearts of the American people" The po-
licy of the movement was referred to by another
eminent statesman in distrustful, if not depre-
eating spirit; though when the contest had been
commenced he felt himself bound to be an active
combatant in its favor. 1t will be remembered,
too, with what graphic power distinguished South
ern Senator portrayed the danger Of re-awakening
the then dormant anti.slavery sentiment OF the
North
The earnest efforts of this journal (would that
they had been as able as they were sincere , in op-
position to measure fraught with much evil, and
in the ondoavor to persuade the consorv@tive men
of the country to preserve the calm which so happ
ly prevailed through all sections, were unheeded and
ontemned and whilst the exciting topic of slavery,
according to the view of many of the champions OF
the Nebraska bill, was to be transferred from the
halls of Congress to the People, the natural conse
auence seemed to have been overlooked or disregard
ed that the "vexed question would come back to
" plague the inventors" of the new mode of settle
ment; that all the slumbering passions would be
reused into fearful activity and all prejudices stimu
lated by the pride Of success.
1t is but right that the whole people should know
the real condition of affairs in the now antagonist
sections of the Union in order that wise and patri
otto statesmen may truly estimate the magnitude of
the task before them. We make some extracts
q. n ~
PROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY OCTOBER 25.
THE LATE ELECTIONS IN NoRrH.-In order that our
readers may understand the estimation in which the late
elections in the Northern States held in the different
portions Of the country insert extracts from the edi
torals of four papers-the New York Courier and En-
quirer the Lynchburg Vrgnian the Cincinnati Enquirer
and the Macon Telegraph These papers substantially
agree as their purport Indeed excepting very tho
rough Administration organs the whole press, Wing and
Democratic put but Interpretation upon these cleo
lions. They make the most formidable demonstration
against the institution of slavery that has yet been
exhibited and distinctly to foreshadow Of two
resultshe dissolution of the Union the extinction of
slavery 1t is passing eervescence which has swept
the North, to subsde and to leave the Demo-
cratic party to its old ascendancy tits great
ent arising from the dcepesroo feelings and princ
growth of twenty years, and which there is but little
ground to hope be aayed by time On the contrary,
progress be unalterabe law of its being
victory has hitherto been of its agitation.
PROM THE CHARLESTON MERCURY OF OCTOBER 90.
SOUTHERN SEcTIoNALIsM-U this head we copy
the material portion of article of the Washin gton
Unon in retort for comments we made one of
its ougivngs. The Union seems to have taken
tice kind Of general declaration Of against the
Democratic party, remuneration Of its fellowship, and
going over to some enemy other with whom it is at
deadly feud. It's comments are consequently tnctured
pretty strongly with resentment and it strikes at
there something be gained by striking home This
is all wrong and springs from mistaken idea of the
Union relations with the Democratic party We
making upon it, and have full faith that por
ton of it in the North and West are well disposed to do
justice to the South and will try to aid in the defence
of peace and safety But if they do it, and it
becomes evident that they cannot the practical question
becomes precisely the if they had not the will
That question is shall the South be saved from the
saults her enemies And since her only friends et
tered and powerless, shall she yield and put her own
wrists and ANGLES in irons of pure sympathy and good
fellowship for her captive allies shall she hammer the
shackles into swords and marshal her for her de-
fence? The Union knows well what answer ought to be
given to these questions.
We do not intend go into all the particulars that are
urged against position. The two main points
these that by urging sectional union and resistance in
the South playing into the hands of the Abolition
lists; and secondly that nationasm" is the only true
and hopeful security for the rights peace and prosperity
of section This last shall not at present touch
upon But in regard to the former, nothing less
than amazed at the language of the Union.
-. 49, ,;.to $50
colorng its thoughts NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the con-
sequences of the elections in the following striking
language:
There viii be a majority of members in the House
elected solely for their opposition and professed
hatred to the South They will be in that body by
about one hundred elected from the South and the
chosen champions Of Southern rights North-men must
each and every one distinguish themselves in the eyes of
their constituency by tremendous onslaught upon
the South The Southmen stand firm the shock OF
opposition for their constituents allow no inching The
North will cater to the sympathes and passions Of
the haters of slavery everywhere The South-men will
plant themselves upon the Constitution and contend for
strict construction Of that instrument Instructed to make
no compromises with slavery, the majority dare
yield The South, if overpowered, will either with
draw from the House, remaining leave their fate for
the present with conservative Senate.
This viii be the beginning of the end the frst fruits
of fusion"
Now we ask the Union, what has produced this array
of the almost unanimous North against the South Who
has played into the hands of the Abotonists so ef
fecvey in the next House Of Representa-
tives absolute majority, elected solely for their
opposition and professed hatred to the South ~
What astonishing utrasm has, in its blind fury worked