Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-07
THE CALM Ar THE sOUTH--THE ITEM
PEST AT THE NORTH.

North and South, depicts in vivid colors the
in the two sections Of the country. 1t repre-
seuts the whole South as enjoying unbroken
tranquility and profound repose. The only ex-
elements that exhibit themselves are the feet
ing and ordinary ebullitions evoked by local
elections. How different it is at the North.
Throughout the free States (says the Mercuyy)
the aspect Of things is widely different. There
the profoundest interest and the widest fana-
ticism agitate the public mind. Conventions
and public meetings Of all sorts are daily taking
place. Public speakers and public lecturers
are abroad amongst the people, stirring up
their passions, and firing their zeal in the pub
lie service. And what is the great burden Of
their furious agitations? Savery-the slavery
of the Southern States without which the
Southern States mnst be Q bowling wilderness,
and their people scattered abroad houseless and
homeless"
Aiter drawing these pictures, the Mercury
ssks: Is the repose Of the South that Of con-
scious power? Is her apparent indifference
the result Of settled determination, which is
no longer heard in words? Or is she dead
dead beyond resurrection by the calls ofself
preservation, or Of honor, by even the fierce
fires Of insurrection? We still have confidence
IN her destinies; but looking to the past and
the present, many brave heart might despair
of the South"
As this is the first inhammatory appeal that
we have seen in any Southern journal during
the present ianatical agitation, we will take
the occasion to offer some remarks on the sub
iect. And we respectfully suggest to the Mer.
curry that, in our Judgment, there is no reason
for endeavoring to excite discomfort and angry
excitement in the South, at this time. No
violation of.the rights Of any Southern State
has been committed by the administration, by
Congress, or by the other branch of the federal
government On the contrary, measure Of
high moment, the Nebraska bill, repeating un-
constitutional legislation, and restoring the
equal rights Of all sections, under the Consti-
tuition, has but recently been passed by Con-
xress and sanctioned by the President. The
Fugitive Slave law, which was resisted, has
been effectually executed by the officers of the
Federal Government. All the power that could
be employed has been put into requisition to
vindicate the Constitution, and the Constitution
has been vindicated. II is true, as the Mercury
charges, that the free States are now literally
alive and swarming with fanatics, agitators,
abolitionists, incendiaries, and traitors, whose
sole complaint is, that the Constitution has
been indicated by the passageo of the Nebraska
bill and the execution of the Fugitive Slave law.
True that these reckless, lawless, and unprin-
cipled men, have held conventions, passed re-
solutions, and nominated candidates with the
view and purpose Of getting representation
in Congress to undo what has been done--to
repeal the Nebraska bill, repeal the Fugitive
Slave law, adopt measures to expel slavery
from the Territories, and to exclude from
the Union any and al..new slave States. These
are things that demand the earnest attention
Of the South. They are signs Of the times that
should escape no msn's attention. The South
is alive to them. The eyes OF both parties
throughout the southern States are open 70
them. AS the great and proaigate coalition is
taking place in the free States, to plan outrage
and to plot treason, the people Of the South are
calmly watching and quietly drawing together.
On this subject they will not permit them
selves to be divided by old party feuds and con-
sests. They will stand together as band OF
brothers. Should the insanity and wickedness
of tire northern demagoges and incendiaries,
force the southern people into sectional
league the fault will not be theirs. Nor
would Il, even then, be league against the
free States. 1t would be defensive and con-
stitutional Alliance of southern men with all
the sound conservative people in all the States,
70 Illustrate the reasonable schemes of those
proaigate men, who, after betraying all parties,
are now merged in grand fusion, and are lead
inc crusade against the Constitution and all its
supporters in the north and. the south, the east
and the west.
But while this is All true, there is nothing thai
the people of the South should be called upon
TO do beyond noting the signs of the hmes, ex
ercising vigilance and caution, and doiaine
themselves in readiness to encounter 'ne'l
enemies at the proper time, in solid phalanx.
The action ofshe people Of the free States IN
regard to their State elections, however wrong
unkind, or Aagitious, does not Justify resor
by the southern people to extreme remedies
nor should il be the occasion Of declaration
of hostility. Let them meet in convention ant
howl in their rage. Let them dcnounce tn
South and the institutions of the South but 8
long As they are powerless in Congress and tn
coordinate branches ofthe government, so lon
should peace be kept in the Union. So lon
as we can Illustrate their plans so long are "
safe.
The only effectual blow they can strike
with the arm Of Federal power. Should the
get control Of the two houses of Congress an