Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-08-18
INVOLUNTARY TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTH.
Gerritt Smith, of New York a leading abolitionlst,

SciIAt oultu, VI new IOTk, u lcEulIlp
but honest in his madness, hns sent forth long letter
his constituents resgning his seat i'll Congress- and
embracing IN elaborate defence Of his course during
the late session. in refusing TO cooperate with the mi
nority in all their exertons to prevent the passage "i
the Nebraska BILL in voting against the Homestead
bill, and in advocating the annexation OF Cuba lie
bases his opposition to the Homestead bill upon tho
ground that its supposed benefits wero conhhed 10
white persons, while be thinks the blacks entitled 70
share Of the public domain. He refused to co-ope-
rate with his anti-Nebrusku colleagues i'll interposng
every Parliamentary obstacle the repeal Of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, because he conscientously be-
ieved that is anti-democrac for the minority to en-
deavor to prevent the majority from bringing the
House to vote, and that il wrong to countenance
the practice Of night sessions, OF whose orgies he
draws very dark and we apprehend, rather truthful
picture. We next come To his argumcnt-rather sim
gular for an aboltionist-n favor of the annexation
Of Cuba He does not advocate the acquisition Of
this island by purchase or by force OF arms, but ap-
proves the peaceful union between Cuba und the tni-
ted States "s the sole condition of the choice of the
two partics--thc people Of Cuba and the people OF
the United States; and that too. even though a 9TH
er people, Spain herself included forbid it, His
reasons for desiring the annexation are: l. That Lc
condition of the slaves of Cuba would be beltered by
the substitution Of American usagcs and American
influences for Spanish usases and Spanish Influences
,. That "it would end the connection OF Cuba with
the African slave trade and would also 20 far to end
that trade everywhere 3. That, il Spain was rid OF
Cuba her influence would thereafter be arrayed with
that OF England and France against slavery. 4. That
it is desirable TO bring much Us possible OF existing
slavery under Government, for the same reason
that Cagula wished ha: all the Romans had but one
neck that 1.-The monster might be killed at one blow
The y. Y. Commercial, whose synopsis OF Gerritt
Smiths reasons We adopt, labors i'll vain to argue
away the truth of the first 1t is sufficient for
our purposes, and those of the South, that so decr
mined and distinguished an abolitionlst as Gerritt
Smith should step forward TO do justice to the KIND
ness and humanity Of the Shareholders OF the South
ern States The few words, from such source, VIII
have magic effect in dispeing the mschievous and
malignant stories of Harriet Beechcr Stowe and
her associates who exerted temporary influence
by their gross misrepresentation Of Southern So
cety. We will give Gerritt Smith the benefit
of all his diatribes against the legality Of slave
ry-he may indulge in his dream Of extinction
Of slavery in his "Calisula fashion. The South will
only ask fair trial of the results of the annexation
Of Cuba, and will be willing to stake the question
upon that issue But at the timc she will avail
herself of the moral influence Of Gerr Smiths ad-
mission Of the superior kindness and humanity Of
Southern shareholders, over the Cubans in the pre-
sen, degrading and barbarzing Spanish dominion in
that I.laud. The monstrous fabrcations Of nercenG
ry nboltioniss, in regard 10 Southern rud"n"ss and
cruelty will be successfully met by :his bold ndmis
sion of great OF that school who is honest III hIs
fanaticsm.
Of course, this letter Of Gerrit Smith has called
down the severe anmadvcrsion of fhe free soil press
such ns the y. Y. Tribune and y. Y. Times. The
latter rcjoccs in the verGcaton Of his prediction that
Gerrit Smith would be Of 'tho most useless and
least influential member of tie nntrlavery party
ccause lis peculiarities Of mind, md his habits of
action aud u thought utterly untitled him Tor such
sphere" His letter, the Times says, shows him to
be "a man of fine intellectual endowment; Of grea;
sincerity of purpose, and OF marked Integrity and be-
nevo,encc-but visionary to the los; degree in all
his views, and nord;nntelv vain Of his taleAis his
principles and his position The limos dtiuces
moral from a this, which is our principal object III
referring 10 the subject, and which is lis follows
.Wha; the country needs in that body is prcctcal'oI-
en-, men of force and vgor prompt i'll adapting their
action TO existing emergencies, and willing us we'll as
ready to strike each particular iron just when il is
particularly hot-men, resOutc, sagscious, untlrng
and thoroughly determined 10 accomplish ''e prac!i
cal object they have in hand The Soailerm States
oi,reu, hare a large and controlling proportion Of
their Reprc,eaa.re, made Of such ncn and they will
ALWAYS shape our national legislation 10 suit their
own purposes. until their example in this respect is
initiated at the North
By n singular coincidence the y. !. Sun of the
same morning, speaks 20 similar purpor as follows:
NORTHERN REPRESENTATIVE IN CON
GRESS.
4 ren;emen who has spent most OF the season IN
Washington and had the beat opportunities tor study
iny the character Of members OF Congress- says that
il is rare find more than one or TWO really compe
tent and efficient representatives in the House from
any of the S.rthern States, while majority OF the
from Southern States are clever, ac-
tive and wide awake politicians, who control tho ou-
sincss Of Committees aud the action OF the House 1t
ID not very fnttering TO New ork anu
the two great Northern States, but we may give his
opinion that these two States are very ndifterenty
repre- sented in the present Congress-
Now WHY should we work ouIHtlve5 into rlgc at
the success with which Southern members urge inca
sures favorable to their section while we send to
WASHINGTON Representatives whom VIC know 10 he
unfit and not worthy our confidence why should
we even talk indignantly about being deceivcd when
We never put implicit faith IN thenan wh"mwe elect
cd upon the nomination Of cliques, composed ui un-
scruuulous politicians, rowdcs and rummics in the
South man must usually make SOME little stir IN his
district and exhibit marks OF talent before e can gam
Oil election to Congress, but IN New York nomna-
tuns aro sold purccllcd out without regard 10 the
Intelligence or moral qualifications OF the candidates
Ii we would be dccently and efficiently represented III
Congress we must put an end to this system
We have here the testimony of two largely crcu-
latng Northern ournals-regularly denounrinS the
"slave power''-that tho sluvrholdng Sates under
stand and carry the true theory Of good govern
ment, and that their representatives in Congress, by
their dignity, experience and ability make themselves
felt bv their influence, and command the respect Of
their associates and the country. To what can this
be owing but to the conservative effect OF Southern
institutions, in developing manness of character,
bending devotion to principle, and sound and fur
seeing knowledge Of the truo principles of govern.
ment and their practical and successful applications
But for an union with the South, we have often e1-
pressed the opinion, anarchy would rule the North
and disruption, among themselves, would be the
speedy and certain result Of al the and turbulent
elements Of faction that pervade it's limi:s The
South experience proves it, is necessary to keep the
Union together and to keep alive tho OF good
government. Northern journals themselves make an
involuntary admission Of the truth OF this state of
things-and passing events should urge them to ni-
tate the dignity and wisdom Of the slaveholdng
South and not seek to vly and break down the sheet
anchor Of the Union, by their vile and malignant fab
ricusns as too many Of them in the habit Of do
ing There is deep moral in this view aud the true
friends OF tue North should not lose time i'll needing
i; and plucins themselves right.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
The following letters written in beautiful spirit
.f 4 IL, L;,,dp bet,r cit