The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-19
WASHINGTON, d. C..
For the National Era.
WILL THE SOUTH DISSOLVE THE UNION?
BY GEORGE NJ. WESTON.


which il is composed. Alterations of feeling,
local and individual, have existed at all times,
aud have sometimes assumed proportions and
exhibited symptoms, which have excited serious
apprehensions. But all these alterations have
hitherto passed successfully and harInlessly
away and At time, during the eighty years of
our independent national existence, has any sin
gle State desired to withdraw from a Confedera-
cy of which the advantage to all its members is
80 obvious and so signal.
During the present generation the most studied
and persevering efforts have been made to estab-
lish political theories, and excite feelings hostile
10 the continuance of the Union, among the peo-
pie of the slave States. These efforts, which a
public opinion, perhaps unjust but certainly ir-
reversible, has attributed TO the disappointed
ambition of Mr.. Calhoun, were directed first to
the incubation of the belief that the planting
States under our established system of custom
house taxation, contributed a great and onerous
disproportion towards the public burdens, and,
subsequently, TO the fomenting of angry and
heated passions connected with the subject of
Slavery. Ii is not to be denied that these efforts,
in which many men of extraordinary ability have
enlisted, and which have been persevered in du-
ring quarter of a century, have been, tc GER
tain extent successful. Their effects, most marked
among the friends of Mr.. Calhoun, and in the
State of which he was so long the pride and
favorite and political guide, painfully visible
everywhere throughout the South. But yet,
in every Southern State, the friends of the Union
have AT all times outnumbered the agtators of
dsunion and they do SO at this day, whatever
appearances there may be to the contrary.
In the case Of Texas, principally inhabited and
wholly controlled by those who had been citi-
zens of the Southern States, long and patiently,
and at length successfully pressing for admis
sion into the Union, we have decisive and most
significant proof that those who urging the
Al. NJ he Ifuio hay
accomplished their work Notwithstanding the
efforts of agtators the majority Of the people of
those States do undoubtedly still perceive, rs
the people of Texas did, that they find in the
strength and power of the Union the best guar
antee of protection, and even Of existence.
If the discussion in the free States Of Slavery,
and of propositions for its abolition, is offensive
and dangerous TO the South, il is abundantly
certain that such discussion would lose none of
its freedom and none of its acrimony by dis
solution Of the Union The restraints now re-
suting from the comfy due 10 sister States would
then cease 10 exist. The South, no longer hav-
ing political influence in the free States, would
lose the whole body of mercenary supporters,
whom it recruits and maintains in them by means
of that influence. II requires no great knowledge
Of the springs of human action, TO perceive that
the same Northern demagogues who now find
1t profitable to cater to Slavery, would then vie
with each other in inflaming hostile 10 it,
Men who betrsy the rights and interests of their
section of the country, in order TO
shameful title to brides held out by another, are
little likely TO be restrained by scruples from
tering upon any course which promises person.
al advantage. Thus the South, by dissolving
the Union, would lose At the North all the sup
ports, good and bad, which it now enjoys there.
III the South complains, or has reason to COM
plain Of the imperfect and obstructed discharge
by the free States of their constitutional duty TO
return fugitive slaves, it is quite certain that
remedy for the evil is not TO be sought in dis
solution of the Union, which would at once rem
der the recapture of fugitive slaves wholly i'm
possible, and at no long interval destroy the in
stitution of Slavery in the border slave States.
Wise men will endure what is unavoidable with
patience and at least will not rush into remedies
which worse than the disease. Undoubted-
ly, the condition of public sentiment in the free
States renders the pursuit, within their limits, OF
fugitiyes from bondage, thankless and profit
less OF eration. No stringency of law ID likely to
make otherwise The instincts of human a
ture, which prompt succor to those who are flee
ing from oppression, cannot be eradicated by
legislation. The obstacles which are now in
terposed to the recapture of fugitives from invo-
Entary service must, in fine, be submitted to
inevitable. The right itself of recapture falls
with the Union; and this right, however OBJ
structed in its enforcement, is still worth some
thing in preventing escapes.
The position of the South is critical. Its fate
is bound up in that of an institution which is
condemned by the general judgment Of civilized
nations, and for the overthrow of which COM
bined the conscience, the prejudces, the fanati-
cism, and the interests, of mankind. Thus con-
centrating upon themselves the hostility, or, if
that word is thought better the malignity, of the
world; the Southern States have absolutely no
power of aggression, and scarcely any of defence,
and, if the protecting shield of the Union was
withdrawn would fall an easy prey to exaspera-
ted and accumulated enemies. This is the real
condition of the South, and it is truly pitiabe
and helpless to the last degree. The bravado
by which il is attempted TO he masked, the threats
of dissolving the Union, made by men who hold
their property and even their lives as they well
know, only under the shelter of the Union which
shall most admire, the calculating arrogance
which prompts them, the amazing simplicity
which is deceived by them?
Mr.. Calhoun, in his letter of August 2, 1914,
TO then Minister TO France, states the motives
of interest pressing upon England, to induce her
10 desire the overthrow of Negro Slavery in the
United States. Let US see what those motives
are, and let see, Also if they are not certain
TO control other Powers as well as Great Britain.
Mr.. Calhoun says:
zone OF the leading motive. of England for desiring
1.-The defeat of the of Texas the United
states the hope that through diplomacy and infu-
ec- Negro slavery NAV be ahoshrd there and min
las-y. by consequence Usli-d States
the whole OF this continent. That ultimate abo
iion throughout the entire continent IS an Object srdeny
dss,d by her have decisIve proof the declaration
Of the Earl of Aberdeen delivered TO this Department.
Mr. Calhoun proceeds to point out, for what
reasons, in his judgment, England desired to
abolish Slavery on this continent; and he begins
by denying that it can he attributed TO "human-
ifg philanthropy a. 4 do not question - he says
but humanity may hare been one Of her leading
snotioes for The abolition Of the African Stare trade
,sad that At man hare had coaxLsroII. ;odu.a1.
aJolashing Sidrery her West India possessions
but her present movements he ascribes to quite
different considerations. According to Mr. Cal
houn, England has been disappointed in the ex-
pertinent of free labor in her Colonies He says
Experience has convinced her OF the fallacy of
calculations she has failed in all her objects The labor
her negroes has proved far less productive hou
forlng the consolation OF having improved their cond
ditioa- Her tropical products have fallen on 10
vast amount . =, disastrous has been the re-.
.ai that liked capital, vested tropical posses
estimated the value OF nearly i've hundred millions
dollars, said stand the brink OF But this
ths While this Costly scheme has had such
runous effects on the tropical Production. OF Great Brit
nn. IL given a powerful siimGlu,, followed by a cor
responding increase OF products IN those ntr.s which
have had ine good 10 sbun her example There has
been vested estimated By them the production OF
tropical products, since ie-, n fixed capital nearly
- Uc0Ooo0D wholly dependent slave labor. In the
period, the valu- OF products has
Ted 10 have risen rom about S75OO annually
ly x'zo,sooo0; while the whole of the fixed capital
Great Britain vested IA cult vsins tropical products botl
the East and West Indies, ID estimated ouy abou
SSDO0 sndthe value OF The products annually abou
sSoODU1 TO present still more striking view OF the
three ARTICLES of ropic products sugar coffee and
Indies and MaurItus produced in lS42 OF sugar only
3y937H pounds. while Cuba, Brazil. and the United
states excluding Other counre. having tropical
sous, produced 900 GO pounds; OF cofre the British
po.sessions produced only 27.sllO3 while Cuba and
Bssz produced 2oi 9oia5 pounds and of cotton, the
B1ish Possessions including shipments 10 China only
Ia7s4Jfi6 pounds while the United States slone pr.
daced 7Yo,a7s,275 pounds This is seen and felt
ly Brinsh and has opened their eyes the
errors winch ibey have committed The question now