Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-19
Fer tic Enquirer.
fCF tH1' EsH4"fe-'
I'm the Consequences, Of Abolition Agitation
and or the separation OF the tni"''.

~. m, cou.egucncccn Of Abolition Agitation
and or the separation OF the tn'""'
No. l..
In fine late presidential election, victory has beer
achieved for the Constitutional rights OF the e"uner
,,,.. The northern abolltiunisis and their an1la
re-. have |, On :rglsrd, and their strongest assani'
ncs been f,iied END Gr..;s! for the present Times
But. though defeated, our enei"s are neither "esh
ened nor discouraged. They have seen that WIZ
even their present numbers, II more sdroitIy mar
shnna and directed they might have been victorious
And with their growing and Certain gains, from the
h,sics Of future ignorant Immigrants from Europe
iulust OF WHOM, will be ready tools for the service')
the abolition party will DC relatively stronger tor 'he
ueyt contest in the next presidential election.
AID w!a: is this victory that the south has cameo
and its valu-l And by what means Was II secureai
Even il Maryland had not been all exception u the
otherwise unanimous vote of the slave holding states
for Buchanan, their unanimous vote would nave
been overpowered by MI united vote OF .the suites
under abolition Influence, and all Of which VIII oe
ready hereafter, under different circumstances ~
follow the lead of abolition to put down slavery, aud
10 crush tho rights aud the vital interests, and the
very existence of tho slave-bodiDg states. lie re-
cent victory for the South was gained only oy inc
southern people sustaining northern candidate ior
the supreme nagistracy. And the democratic p9ry
was victorious only by adopting as their candidate
one who differs from that party on some important
questions OF public policy, aud sti!i more from Tue
southern portion Cf that party Mt. Buchanah mao
been southern man, and even haa equal OF superior
because he would have Jailed TO obtain the necessary
additional mid of northern votes, adverse 10 tue
south. Therefore, however much We may rejoice ior
our victory, il affords but slight ground Tor triumph,
and still less for assurance of safety, or even OF ike
temporary defence hereafter, against the renewed
and better concerted attack OF our enemy. 1t mas
been truly said that this victory has given to the
south, not peace but only truce from active hos
Iities Let o! the South this time OF truce to
thoroughly examine, understand. and strengthen our
position and so be prepared TO meet aud withstand
every future attack constitutional rights aud
our rightlul Interests.
Ii is often asserted, and s admitted by many among
ourselves thai ga long rs the northern people and
states usu only their constitutional pOwe: To assail
our interests the sufferers have just right 10 com
plain and still less resort for defence To extra
constitutional remedies. No position is more false or
dangerous. The forms or letter of the constitution
may be used ~ destroy its spirit and substance,
eud the very benefits that II was enacted to secure.
When one, aud tho much more powerful section OF
u country and people is entirely opposed to and
raycd against The other section, i'll Interest or prnci
pie, or III iiua,cal sentiment, tbs constitutional forms
aud literal restrictions of the government may be re-
| spcceG!, and yet the weaker section and party may
be subjected The utmost extent of injustice, wrong
aud oppression. The right OF representation grant
ed Tor Ireland in the British parliament, even if
rey fair and equal in proportion the respective
populations of Ireland and England, would have doGe
nolnilg 80 guard the weaker the oppression of
the stronger country. 1.-THE plan had been adopted Of
!
laud representatives in the English parliament,
measure OF defence il would have been futile aud
contemplate. Our ancestors would have scOrned 10
accept, rs protection for their assaied ana threaten
cd rights, representation in parliament, even il then
greater IN proportion 10 population than that of the
far more pupul0us mother country. Aud, rs the pcu-
pie and the states of this con!-deracy are diyi.
ded, by sectional lincs in sentiment, opinion, aud
supposed interest, and are standing adversely, aud in
still growing opposition aud hostIlty-the repsesen.
tatives IL Congress vi the southern and weaker geo.
ton, being hxsd minority III both houscs, no
more protection 10 the section they represent, than
il il deprived by the constitution of all right of
representation In The lower house Of Congress. that
result is already s-eu fully exhibited. In the Senate,
the majority Of members from tho .S!avehoding
s;etes ~ snalier-and, owing 10 the longer term
service, and slower changes Of members in that
body, the of right aud justice bas no; yet been
irodaen und.r foo; by the bruic force of fixed and
sure majority OF voters Blu. The same end must lie
reached also in good time. The senators of The
l6 Lon. saveholding states must hereafter truly 70
present the opinions If their constituents, now
do their fellow representatives in the lower house-
and ;hen both legislative bodies will concur ia
trolling the fixed minority Uf the l5 s!avcholdng
states. Aud, even without hs certain, though slow
change OF voice Of the Sonate-and long in advance
of its com ..c,on-there will be admitted other sena
tors from four or five new nons!aveholdng States,
which increase Will make the abolition party as irre
sslibis n the Senate, IA it is already in the other
branch Of Congress. When this party is thus su-
ted States of ike sentiments. And then, without the
need ii infringing the letter of single article OF the
con.iituiiuc southern states their Institutions, pro-
perry, and all that Is dear 10 them and necessary for
their very existence, will be at the mercy Of their rs
uatical and determined enemies. Under these cir
cunsances il would be very easy to destroy, by le-
gisation all the value aud security Of the institution
Of siavery, and lead Ia It's Necessary abolition ard
To the consequent inevitable destruction of the south.
ern states and people. But these wOuld not be the
only means 10 reach this end II more were needed
Cor freedom more complete destruction, aud the
constitution (cvcn Us construed at the northl stood
in the way, that Instrument, IN accordance with lie
own provisions for Amendment, may Cu altered, ana
put in any required shapo Owing TO The actual
much faster settlement and filling up Of the nom
sayghoding territories, and their greater extent and
even il no uniu-t furtheranc0 given by Con-
gress il will not be long belurc the non slavehoding
states III hc i.crGnsed make three lourtls
of the whole uutrucr ri iI- member. uf The conied
crucy. Then, the federal constitution may be legal
y altered in any MANNER by tho votes OF the north
cru .tees only. Negro slavery ay be thus abollsh-
ed either directly or Indirectly, gradually or iisine.
1atcly Can any man doubt that tho full power and
constitutional right, then possessed, will not he exer
cised as directed by tho already existing finacism
und hostility of the northern rcopiei The man Who
can entertain hope Of the contrary course may be
Indeed must bel too virtuous 20 know or believe III
the vuleac. Of s.naticsm, tho bGsenes5 OF party
spirit But he will be- poor judge OF human nature,
:. novice in political history-and altogether uu.
Dit to be trusted to guard and protect onT rights and
liberty. oESkA'
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