Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-10-28
THE CRISIS ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

=DAIEICII, SATURDAY. OCT. %. 1854.
THE CRISIS ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
The Petersburg Intelligence, whose course as
Southern Wing journal on the slavery question, we
~. had cause to admire contains the following
actions on the subject:
.sTbe communication over the signature of"Brum,"
- another column, is upon subject Of so much in
lest that we cannot refuse it admission. The
ritter moreover, makes a special appeal to US for
onr opinion in the matter, and as we have no con-
alment we will cheerfully but briefly respond
W. think that Constitutional Union party, COM
sed of the true and loyal friends of the Republic,
Souh and North could it be organized in the proper
;,it and upon sound and honest principles lwould,
rpder existing circumstances be vastly ef6ca-
LIONS in arresting the career of the pie-bald as
locations which, under the new name of FUSION
STS are blending themselves together for the pur-
nose of harrassing and destroying the country
Iholitionists Free Sellers, Free Democrats, anti
Nebraskaites Maine Lawites and dozen other fan
.fcal and uuprinciped sects, are coalescing for a
Grand crusade against the South. Northern Wings
and Northern Democrats have proved alike perfidi-
nus and nimical to our Constitutional rights and to
the cause of popular sovereignty. That there is
Snartan band of patriots left in each Of the two old
parties at the North admit, but they are so heav-
ly outnumbered by the common adversary that
thew stand little chance of maintaining their ground
unless they can be assisted by the united South. We
are for this Union if it can be effected upon
the broad platform of country, as distinguished
from party. We would save the worlds last
hone of freedom from the blight and desolation
which the Powers of Darkness, led on by the incar-
nate Lucers of the North, striving to inflict.
In the changed aspect and condition of things, as
palpably visible in the result of the late elections,
there are incentives enough to stir up the faithful
and the honest of the Wing and the Democratic par
ties range themselves together in solid column for
4 the defence of our institutions. We could consume
much more space in the exposition of our views on
this head, but we expect to have frequent occa-
he of
we must content oursef with speaking thus for only
to-day. We pass it in the mean time to the consid-
Grafton of the Southern Democratic press, for it is
matter in which 1T has as deep interest we
have What 1T has to say in response should like
to know"
We concur with the Intelligencer in the opinion
that the abolition cause is gaining strength, and
to the importance of firm front the part of all
true North and South, in the hope of checking
the evil and of thereby maintaining the rights of the
slaveholding States and preserving the Union; but
differ with that paper in the inference it would
leave that the Northern Democrats are as unsound
and unreliable this question the Northern
Wings Northern Democrats, it is well known, in
many of their primary meetings and Conventions in
1851, expressly approved the fugitiveslave law for
which twenty-seven of their representatives in the
lower branch of Congress voted and they are still
Standing by that law, well as by the Nebraska
principle for which forty -four their representatives
voted. Some of the Northern Democrats, it is true,
under the great pressure occasioned by the illusion"
to which the Intellgencer refers, have given way;
but, general rule, in their primary meetings and
Conventions held oflate, they have spoken out bold
and fearlessy for the equality of the States and
for the rights of their slaveholding brethren. Why
iit that the Democratic party, SO triumphant in
Northern and Northwestern States in 1862, is now
defeated? Is it not mainly owing to the fact that
the administration is in favor of the Nebraska prn
ciple:-and to the fact that Democratic candidates
for Congress staked themselves for it? Some Of the
docaes of this principle it is true, have been cleo
ted; but as general thing, they have gone down
before the storm of " fusion "a /" fusion" the
suit of abolitionsm, anti-Nebraskasm, Maine-lawism
Know Nothingism, and ofdisapponted ofice-seekers'
The Intelligencer proposes union between South
ern men and Northern Wings, as well as Northern
Democrats 1t is to be regretted that the Wing par
y has pursued such course to dissolve ard de-
trOy itself a national party. We do not see how
Southern Wings can longer cooperate with their
Northern brethren. Can the Intelligencer point to
single Wing of prominence in the free States, or
single press in that region which is true to the
Constitutional rights of the South? Can it show
one who was not opposed to the Nebraska bill? Or
who did not acquiesce reluctantly in the passage of
the fugtve-slave law? Or who is not in favor of
drcumscribing slavery? What does that paper
think of the following letter, from Jacob Collamer
Pnce considered conservative Wing, and who oc-
Fupied high place under the late Wing admins
ration? Mr.. Collamer has just been elected SEN
iOr from Vermont:
OCTOBER Z, 1854
DEAR SIR: cheerfully put paper my BRIEF
but unqualified and explicit answer to your inquiries
me.
am utterly opposed to the Nebraska repeal of
he Missouri compromise. / regard the repeal
nthess breach of plighted public faith, and that it
soves the free States from obligation to any of
Ae compromises ever made on the subject of slave
since the adoption of the Constitution.
was ever opposed to any compromise by which
rec territory should be opened to slavery, and al
avs so voted and insisted; particularly in
peech in the House of Representatives in July,
aS Ut may be found in the Congressional GLobe)
retained and expressed the views in cabinet
s4s and 1850.
regard the fugitive-slave law (part of that COM
Omse) as inconsistent with the rights and safety
our free people, and its course of summary pro-
Folng violation of the usual and proper course
judicial proceeding, and that unless essentially
Quilted by allowing jury trial in the place of arrest,
'aoud be Immediately and Internationally repeal
J. CoLLAMER.
CHARLES LYMAN, ESQ.,"
lne truth is, the only hope for the rights of the
a'es and the perpetuaton of the Union is in a
0se Northern Democrats who sound on the