Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-07-25

itself OF an unjust and unconstitutional enactment
which struck at the rights and equality OF the SOUTH
ern States, and degraded them TO condition oil hu-
initiating and painful nieriority. IL wished merely
to be put in possession Of those rights and privileges
guaranteed to it by the solemn, fundamental compae.
of the land and Of which it had been Improperly anu
unjusy deprived by the arbitrary legislation oil Con
gress, acting under the pressure OF Abolition ar'o
grace and fanatcis. II wished only to regain what
actually belonged to it in law and equity, but which,
in defiance OF both, had been torcbly wres'ea 'o''
it against its earnest protest and circumstances Inc
enactment of the Missouri restriction, rs every rea
sonsble and rejecting mind North or South VIII al,
low, was an unconstitutional enactment bottomea
not on right, justice or cxpediency, but sprns'nS
from spirit of insolent dictation, backed oy tue
despotic power of numbers. II was piece oil DOWN
right tyranny and only accepted anu acqueS'eu
IN at the time by the South TO avert what was theh
believed to be inevitable dissolution OF the Union
but under the pleasing convction-uiuSoiy rs mas
since appearcd-on the part Of the southern people,
that sober reflection and returning sense of justice
would day mpel northern brethren 10 reuaoe
their steps aud calm the irrated sensoihues oil tue
South by cxpungng il forever from the sa'u'e-oooh'
A portion Of tho northern people have voluntarily
come forward, and nobly yindicated the confidence
the South reposed in their ultimate justice and mag
naumi,y but large portion stll-s very large por-
ton we fcar-yet refuse 10 acknowledge the wrong
they inflicted and bent, net only upon perpetna'
ting that wrong, but upon heaping Other ana sun
greater indsuities and injuries upon the southern
States of this confederacy.
We repeat our regret that those at the North from
whom we had expected better things-whoSe ante
cedents previous to the late ISSUE evidence no ialter
ing in their LOYALTY to the Constitution, the Union
or the rights Of the States-should join III with
fana,ics and Abolitions.s in wasng ruthless ana
yindictiye warfare upon all. Among those Northern
men who have hitherto stood erect upon the queSuoh
of Slavery, is the editor of the New York courier
and Enquirer who being about to leave the country
for some time, has published letter in his paper
correcting some alleged misrepresentation oil MS
views and defining his position upon several oil the
prominent questions Of the day In regard to the re-
cant territorial legislation Of Congress, his future
course as stated in his own language, Will coincide
with that marked by the AbolitonistS proper to
this extent at leasthst IS, he goes IN heartily Tor
the repeal of the Nebraska bill is willing to drop
all other issues and all party considerations. and
can neither raise his voice in behalf Of the Consti-
tutoual Compromise OF 1877, the Texas CompI omSe
of 1911 the Compromise of 1850, or Of the legsls
ton they demand until thst repeal is carried Such
is the position OF this leading champion of conServa-
tsm and of the Constitutional rights OF all sections
of the country-a position which etiectually drives
Southern men Of all parties from his side, and we
may trust large portion Of Northern also. For
we would fan hope there are enough Of righttink'
inc and patriotic men at the North suppress agta
ton upon question involving nothing but widespread
mi, Of
Choir General Webb, as if to make his present posi-.
ton tie darker and the more ineXcusabe by the con-
trast tells US of his ervd and consistent zeal in the
support he has uniformly rendered TO all the Com
promises Of the paSt-lhat lie has aborcd, untirngly
for nearly twentyseyen years in behalf of the Con-
sttutonal rights Of the South and that he has con-
SANITY opposed Abotionism in every aspect il which
it has heretofore presented itself to the country
This being so, strange indeed that he should now
come to the determination to break down all Com
promises to war upon the constitutional rights OF
the South, and imperil the very existence OF the
nion itself by playing into the hands OF the Aboli-
tioniStS. Strange, and still more melancholy than
strange, that lac should permit 50 long life of pat.
rioc devotion to his country 10 be dscoloured and
dSgured at its close by aiding its enemies in their
traorous designs upon its peace and its progress
1t is indeed painful TO witness such fragrant depar-
ure from the line of duty and patriotism on the part
of whom age and experience ought have taught
consistency, moderation, and wisdom. We will not
utter unavailing lament over the apostacy OF even
General James Watson Webb, but will leave AbCli-
onisn to exut and rejoice that hereafter he will be
OF and for them in their widest shouts for the repeal
OF the Nebraska bill.