The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-29
CONGRESS-THE SCUTE

CONGRESS-THE SCUTE
Wehavc thus far made but little comment
upon the state of things at Wa<Gngtyn.-
But though silent, we have not been Indif-
ferent to the struggle which. for more than
seven weeks, has been going Oh between the
Constitution and the South on the one hand,
and Abolition on the other. 1t is not the
language of extravaganza to say, that at
the present moment, the country is in
state of anarchy. There is no organized
Government; and, at the end of seven
weeks, VIC seem to be as far from it as ever
Unabated in violence, and myicldiuc in
Rpirit, fanaticism still demands the submis-
sion of the South, though disunion and civil
war stares it in the face. 4 paralyzed Gov
ernment-scenes of turbulent rowdvism
upon the floor of Congrcss-the delight of
rival nations at our condition-a whole
country disgu~tcG-1U full to move it one
otfrom its settled gGrposc-the destruction
of the South through Congressional legisla-
ton. And yet, with futuity truly astound-
ING, the people of the South, they whose
homes and honor are ut stake, looking
calmly on their Representatives at Wash
ington' all the while, believing that they are
doing their whole duty, by balloting for this
or that candidate for the Spoaklfship. Vo
have never been of those vko could see any
good to be gained by Postponing the strug-
gle which every rejecting man believes to
be inevitable between the North and the
South. Our motto is that of Patrick Henry:
''Lct it come" Delay brings no strength
to Us, but renders only the more hopeless
the prospect of n pcaccablc solution.
Had the South twenty years ago, when
Abolition first invaded Congress; had she
ever later, when the Wilmot Proviso was
applied to Oregon; nay, in the still later
case of California, made the direct issue
with the North, peace and security would
now reign, where all is doubt and peril
Our friends ut the North felt and recognized
its force when they declared that the sub
mission of the South had destroyed them in
their own section. Itderrivcd them of their
best argument-thc Union.
Their appeal to Northern interests 10 stay
the hand of aggression, fell stubborn upon
tho ears Of people who saw that they could
aggrcss with IMMUNITY. Their zeal in de-
fence of our rights bordcrcd on the absurd,
when we, the injured, seemed TO hGve '.no
tomach for the fight"
Again the issue Is upon US, and with all
the past i'll fresh recollection Abolition
laughs to scorn our determinations. 1t be-
ieves that It con elect Banks; that he can
appoint committees To do its bidding; that
Reedcr may be received as the delegate
from Kansas; that Kansas itself may be
rejected rs n slave State, and its doctrine
of ''nO moro slave States" established as
the policy of the Government, and the Union
still live in the shame and submission of the
South. What have we donc-what arc we
doing-to dispcl such conviction! The
issue at Washington Is not the Tariff, or
Bank, or any such question of party policy.
1t Is the destiny and existence of the South.
And upon this question the North tells us,
in tones deep with insult, and with n signif-
cameo certified by past aggrcssions, that
there shall be no Government, and if needs
be, TO Union, except the South consent to
her own destruction. This is the condition
demanded as the price of the organization
of the House. Where is the spirit of the
South, when such o proposition can be made
and canvassed for seven weeks! What! No
Government but that of AbOlitionists. no
legislation but that which brushes our rights.
and brands us with dishonor no union but
with sworn foes and this proposition is to
be talked over and voted on, by Southern
men, day after day! Can insult be greater
on the one hand, or tamencss more submits
sive on the other!
Mr.. Faulkner, of Virginia, a few days |
since, sickenod doubtless by the scenes in |
the House, and hopeless of any good to the !
South, moved that the members resign, and |
go home to their constituents The motion |
was defeated by majority of 90. In our |
opinion. it was very sensible proposition, |
and deserved the support of Southern men,
bers. What good, real permanent good to
the South, can they do by remaining at
balloting upon the question as