Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-18
The People of tho south.

servatiye though many of their politicians are
ultra and rabid We are daily receiving proofs
of tho correctness of our assertion. The main
body Of Southern men are friends Of the Union,
and therefore opposed to ultra measures. They
are sensitive, and properly SO, when their rights
are threatened but they have sense enough to
know that the constitution affords them higher
ventions Of rival parties can give them. They
endorse the views we have presented against
submitting their rights to the action of politi-
cal parties. They arc content with the guar
antecs Of the Federal Constitution, and Of their
own local constitutions and laws, upon the
question of their peculiar institutions
We present TO our readers to-day some ex-
tracts Of letters from three different portions
of the South, showing the tenor Of the views
which the people of the South entertain.
From Marengo county, Alabama, under date
o. December 9th, tour Of our subscribers in
small town, unite in letter renewing their
subscriptions, and'ssy thus:
"our present subscription ends with No. o.
but we hope this will reach you before you erase
our names from your Ilel us We 10 not VAIN w
lose number. We have the American cause at
heart and intend procuring you more subscribers
in short time. We are weH pleased at the posi-
ton you take, and irish sou great success, the
Richmond Wing to the contrary notwithstanding"
We have several letters from Alabama breath.
lag the same spirit
From Key West Florida, under date of Jan
uary 10th, (by the steamboat mail via Charles
ton, we have very long letter from gentle
man who stands high in the American party,
and who says:
"Your position in regard to the 18th section
meets the approval of our principal thinkers Of
xhe party here. We regret that it was incorpo-
rated in-the platforms, though it is right in princ
pie. The question should be kept om Of party
platforms for the reasons goa give: The South
viii never divide in Congress upon the subject Of
slavery and there will always be wise and patriotic
members from the free States to help the South
to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution.
Let politicians brawl over it at home if they WILL
but in Congress it slavery win always be safe,
for the constitution must and will be obeyed."
There is more common sense and sound rea-
soning in the above extract, than in every edi-
torisl the Richmond Wing has ever written on
the subject.
We will finish our extracts to-day by copy
ing one from letter received from most in
telligent gentleman from Rockingham county,
Virginia forwarding us several new subscr-
bers, and assuring us that others will be sent
on soon. lie says
"Your paper is very popular here. Your posi-
ton in relation to the slavery question is almost
unanimously approved"
The writer of the letter had not probably
seen the intimation in the Richmond Wing, to
the effect, that the resolutions lately adopted
al Port Republic in that county were con-
cocted at Richmond, or he would unquestiona-
bly, have refuted the statement. We may take
another occasion to submit other proof of the
soundness of the Southern people in their
views touching the necessity of demanding any
further guarantees, than the constitution fur
nishes, for the protection of the reserved rights
of the States
1t must be obvious to every rejecting mind
that the American party can, if they aoiU,
unite upon national platform, cschewing all
sectional issues, and agreeing to avoid all agi-
tation of such issues, and carry the Presiden-
tal election upon American doctrines by ma
iority of hundreds of thousands of voters
But until moderate and conservative men shall
be permitted to take the lead in the American
movement both North and South, there can
be no harmony, and, of course, no success.
Away then with all outside issues and down
with ultraists at both ends of the Union!
Hon. A. III. stephens on Acquisitions.
During the second session of the SD Con-
gress, the honorable gentleman made speech
in answer to the Hon. Lewis d. Campbell, in
which he said
But, tell the gentleman in passing, as he has
alluded to Cuba that am for the acquisition OF
that Island" ICong Globe, p. 1o4.]
In the same speech, he declares himself in
favor 81 filibustering
81 am in favor Of repeal Of those laws on our
own statute book, which makes il penal and pun
ishabe as crime of high grade for an American
citizen to take part in any revolution that may
take place in Cuba--any effort of the people there
to throw off Spanish domination and oppression"
Cong. Globe, p. 104.
Again, in the same speech, he said:
90 Why should we punish American citizens for
no reason, but aiding them in their patriotic inten
tons Why should we keep the peace for Spain 7"
These were his opinions just one year ago.
Let US examine the record farther back, and
contrast his views in 1866 with those he enter
tanned in former years, upon the acquisition Of
territory.
On the 5th February, 1s4s, the gentleman
on the floor of the House Of Representatives
said:
1.-THE sine qua non for peace in the instruc-
t;ons IN Mr. Trist was To take New Mexico and
California and pay $l5,O00,O00 or SIC, 900, 900.
No ko M hat,