Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-03
THE FEELING In THE SOUTH.

AHc cELlNG In SOoiii'
Northern journals beay gross misappehension Of the
temper OF the public mind of The South when they assume
that indifferent to the Issue Of the Nebraska conrc-
versy An absence Of popular demonstrations OF excite
not be taken evidence Of want OF interest or
apathy Of feeling The unstable aud excabe temper OF tie
Northern populace 10 such they rush, from the most
trivial cause into the widest excuses Of passions but the
dignity and gravity CT Souhero character do not cor'
sst with these voen, explosions of feeling Any body ard
any occasion can fill Faneu Hall tho Metropolitan with
tumuuous mob while the people OF the South are never
reused bu, by commensurate cause and then they
move towards their object with the Silent dgny and steady
step Of a Roman triumph
Throughout the South there prevails repugnance TO aei
taton. We had enough and too much OF excitement du-
ring the Compromise controversy Of 1885, and now there
exists iudsposson 10 popular meetings and legislative
resolves. But the Aboliouss against miscon.
cepon OF this calm and quet temper of the public mind Of
The South.
There has never been dispute between the South and s
enemies in The North which has excited Intense and uni
versa Interest among the people Of the South as exists
in regard the Nebraska controversy Heretofore the
struggle has been about expadens and OF par
tal and temporary characte the Issue Ia one OF vital
principle. In behalf Of this principle Of intervention as
illustrated and established 10 the Nebraska BILL the entire
pro slavery sentiment of the South ls enlisted with all ts
ardor and energy EverY previous conflict was nothing
than skirmsh. in comparison with this nomentous
struggle between slavery and abolonism Heretofore slight
advantages have been lost and won but the issue Of this
controversy will determine the question essential 10 the
interests Of the Souh-wheher slavery is to possess the
vitality of expansive and progressive institution, or be
surrounded and crushed by the weight OF Irresistible op.
position. We simple suppose, with sone
the passage OF Nebraska bill will settle the matter
In dispute between the North and the South. But II will do
the will shift the theatre Of the war-i will dotach the
Federal government from lis alliance with aboonsm, and
1t will relieve tho South Of odous and niquitous restrc
ton 1t will place the South precisely In the position which
Il should occupy contemplation OF The constitution, ard
will question Of the expansion OF slavery TO be
determined by It's energies and vo,ion II Is In this
light the people Of the South regard the repeal o the
Missouri restriction and s because Of It's effect IN Vind
eating the rights and enargns the baeis OF slavery tat
they support the measure with such zeal and unauimty
1t absurd say that tho South feels no concern about
the Issue Of the Nebraska controversy in face of the fact
that the Southern people unanimous In support Of the
measure. On no former occasion Of sectional controversy
was this the has been the misfortune OF the South
that s own people have been divided In every crisis Of peril
to Its institutions but now for the first tme thcy tho.
roughly and cordially united This fact sufficiently a,teSts
tho anxiety with which the Southern people anticipate
the Issue Of The struggle aud their conviction of the mpor-
OF the interests and the principles Involved 10 the fate
NJ the bill