Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-02-04
WHAT SAY THE WING PRESSES Nowy

that in the impending struggle with abolitionsm i
I will not encounter the opposition of the Executiy,
branch of the Federal Government" The Soutl
had this opposition to contend against under Gen
Taylors administration; it had more or less of i
under Mr. Fillmore's but under Democratic auspi
ces we have the whole weight of the common gov
ernment thrown in the scale in behalf of our rights
The Enquirer says
1t IS fortunate for the South that in the impend
ing struggle with abolitionism it will not encounter
the opposition OF the Executive branch of the Fed
oral Government. We speak not without authority
when assert that in respect to the proposition for
the repeal OF the Missouri restriction, the Admins
tratlon occupies no neutral or adverse ground The
amendment to the Nebraska bill, which restores to
the South the rights that were surrendered by the
Compromise of 1920, has the express and emphatic
SANCTION OF the PRESIDENT and the whole power OF
his Administration is pledged to its support. The
South could expect nothing less of President Pierce
| The least abandonment of the highest ground in
| respect to the constitutional rights of the South
! would not only be Inconsistent with the uniform
tenor Of his past course, but would involve viola
ton OF the generous confidence which the South re-
posed in the character of Mr.. Pierce
Mr.. Pierce was the nominee of the Southern De-
mocracy, and he was selected with special refer
epse to the protection of the lights Of the South
twas thought, and time will demonstrates it was
thought not without reason, that Of all the men
OF the North Mr.. Pierce possessed in largest meas
ure the will and the capacity to arrest the encroac
ments Of abolitiOnsn. His nomination was in no
respect and in degree the result of chance or in
considerable action. In giving him their support
Southern men consulted their own interests and his
unsupported soundness in the slavery question con-
trIbuted more than anything else to his triumphant
election 1t was impossible, therefore, after such
evidences of confidence side, and obligation
on the other, to expect that hir. Pierce would do
otherwise than he has done in respect to the Ne
0Tlska question In espousing the cause of the
South IN this controversy he but vindicateS the
sstency OF his public life, and redeems his pledge
to the country.
When an attempt was made, by combination of
disappointed otficc-seekers and treacherous Demo
Gratis, TO persuade the country that the Adu!nStra-
ton had thrown itself into the of the fTeesol
ers, this journal abated nothing of its confidence in
Mr.. Pierce or his Cabinet but abOrcd with zeal and
consistency to strengthen their hands for the work
before them And for this were denounced by
the Wing press and sympathising faction of Dem
ocIats as aiding in assault Oil the rights Of the
South How trumphantly the present attitude CT
the ADMINISTRATION i'll respect to the Nebraska qucs-
ton, JuStifics confidence and support, need
not stop to explain Suffice it say that the prompt
determination Of Mr. Pierce to throw the whole
weight OF the Administration the side of the
South in the controversy which he forcsaw and the
vigor and fidelity with which he follows up his pur
pose, more than repay the zeal and devotion display
cd by the Southern Democracy in his support The
balance OF obligation is restored, and Nh Pierce pos
soSseS a claim to the support Of the South, which
Will tal him not III any emergency or against any
opposition.
The appointment of few rcpcntant Frcesoiers
to Office was held by the Wing press TO be concur
Slve evidence Of the eEsoundncSS Of the Admins
tration. 1t was of no use to quote, in dsproof of
this charge, the declarations of the President in his
inaugural address Nothing less than positive acts,
II was said, could acqUit the Administration of the
suspicion CT Frceson synpathies. 1t is by acts Of
the most unequvoCal and emphatic character that
the soundncss of the Administration in respect to
the RI ghts of the South is indicated. While the
Wing press Of the North--of every complexion and
of every nanle-are opposing the repeal of the Mis-
souri, restriction and while the Wing Journals of the
South are oninous!y silent on the subject, the Adj
ADMINISTRATION is sustaining the South IN lis demand
for Justice and equality. The fact will weigh more
with the country than the sense!ess accusations of
an urscrupu!cus party press
For months past the Wing presses Of the South
have been charging FreesoiiisIn or the adninistro
ton, and have attempted TO sustain the charge by
pointing to few appointments made to Office Of
pentant Barnburners il New York and other States.
That was matter of policy; but here is question
in which principle is involved, and upon this test
the important that be applied in public af
fairs-we find the administration of President Pierce
firmly planted the compromise measures of 1850,
and on the side of the constitutional rights of the
South The confidence Of the Southern Democracy
has not been misplaced-thc pledges given in the
Inaugural have been redecmed-the great principle
Of non-intervention by Congress in the slavery ques
ton has leen clearly and boldly cndorsed and yet
Southern " hlS presses, which afectcd to be alarm
ed at what they regarded as few Freesoil ap-
ponments are either silent grudgingy admit that
the administration is in the path of right and duty.
Such is the policy pursued by these journals one
of the most important issues of the day, and this
with the fact palpably before them that their allies
in the free States almost to against the
administration in its efforts to advance Southern in
tcrcsts ard confederatng with the aboltionists
proper headed by Giddings and Greedy, to prevent
the passage of the bill introduced by Judge Doug
las on this subject But these presses will be COM
pell:d by the popular voice to speak out-sence or
reluctant approval, will not be tolerated at time
and on a question like this. Nor is the adminstra-
ton responsible for the revival of the agitation, for
the bill of Judge Douglas proposes nothing more
than to carry out the principle contained in the
compromise of 1850, that the people of the Ter
ritores and States are alone entitled (and not Con-
gress) to say whether they will have slavery or no.
Those tcho resist this principle are the agit0tors
and however much Southern men ind sound North
ern may regret that the agitation exists, they
will look upon it evil, the result entirely OF
abolition doctrines and influences; and not only this,
but they will hold to rigid accountability before the
people those in the South especially who may at
tempt to evade the question at issue, who, from
partizan motives, from whatever motives, may fall
back or hesitate in this emergency.
We call upon the Raleigh Register to speak out