The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-20
From the Richmond (Va) South August H..
HAS THE SOUTH NO INTEREST IN KANSAS

How any Southern man can think that toe
much prominence can be given to the Kansas
question, Is a mystery We are unable to ex
plain. Whence proceeds this sudden baneful
apathy on the subject? Six months ago, il
was the most absorbing topic of discussion
The vital Importance to the South of securing
the admission of Kansas into the Confederacy
as slave State was almost universally admit
ted. Upon the theatre of action, immense eff
forts were made to effect the contamination OF
our hopes. Rarely in the history of the Gov
eminent has there been such fierce and dan
gerous conflict between the two great opposing
elements IN the Union. With an earnestness,
an energy, and a determination, never before
exhibited, did our friends labor to gain a con.
trolling influence in the Territory, and to Sc
cure to the South an equal representation in
the Federal Senate. Throughout the South,
the struggle was regarded with the utmost so.
lictude, and the fattering prospects of success
received with every indication ofjoy and salts
faction. But, from some undesirable cause,
things seem to have taken an opposite turn.
1t Is now asserted that the Pro Slavery party in
Kansas have surrendered the question. They
are satisfied that Kansas can never be a slave
State. They have all at once discovered that
nature has put barrier to the extension of the
institution in that direction. Nor is it longer
considered OF the least practical importance to
the South to have Kansas introduced as slave.
holding State. Southern journals are found
urging these views with as much emphasis and
assurance as if they had always so maintained
Our people have, apparently, become indiffer-
ent to the fate of Kansas, and are disposed to
resent all illusions to the subject as trite and
commonplace.
Perhaps many of our readers are beginning
to complain Of the tenacity with which we cling
to what they are inclined to regard as an effete
subject of discussion. But we cannot divest
our minds so easily of its early and deep i'm
preston. The sense of the vast importance to
the Southern people of the future political ard
social condition OF Kansas weighs upon US with
as much force as ever. Whatever may be the
cause-whether the detection of our own friends
or the treachery of the authorities into whose
hands its destnies have been committed-the
loss will be an irreparable blow to the South.
1t will forever settle the question of the further
expansion of our system in the present limits
of the Union. 1t will completely arrest our
march in the only direction in which it is pos
sible for US to advance. We have from the
commencement regarded this controversy as
the turning point of our career of advance
ment. 1t Is idle to attempt to disguise the
truth. With the loss of Kansas, the South must
relinquish all hopes of extending its institutions
and of regaining its lost equality in the Union
From this conclusion it is impossible to escape:
and with such an overpowering conviction upon
his mind, what Southern man, we repeat, can
remain an Indifferent and careless spectator of
the issue Of affairs in Kansas? The question
is not of less magnitude now than six months
ago, and we deeply regret to witness the evil
dences of declining interest in its solution. or
fend whom it may, we are constrained to give
utterance to our genuine feelings. The people
of the South are deeply concerned in the des-
tiny of Kansas, and the sooner they are made
to contemplate their position the better For
ourselves, we shall never cease our exertions to
arouse their tagging interest until the very last
ray of hope is extinct.