The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-05-30
BALANCE OF POWER.


the nation there is something radically wrong 9th
or in the government itself. OF in the loyalty and
patriotism of large proportion of the people who
protesting to support 1t. And hence an increase
Of representation in the Congress Of the United
States. from the North. ut much more rapid ratio
than that from the South, would soon enable the
enemies Of slavery. It is true to triumph over us
easily in Federal legislation. The next House of
Representatives is yet TO be rendered DemocSptic
and the Senate will soon cease to he the great con
scrvavc safeguard of the republic unless new slave
States are admitted into the Union before that
sheetanchor of the ship is lost to forever. But IL
the existence of the confodcracy depends upon a
balance Of sectional strength. the Union has either
failed to answer its ends the interests and feel
ings Of the North and South are antagonistic as
to he Incompatible with prosperous and peaceful
political connection.
"Thc people of the United States are known to
the world as n great. growing and homogeneous ma
ton. The moral and physical force OF our govern
ment are measured not by sectional or State divis-
ions and subdivisions, but hy the combined power of
the whole country. And yet, while We are regard
cd by the 'rcst of mankind" as united nation ex-
crcasing orr strength a. undivided and indepcnd-
cnt people rejoicing together under a common con
stitution, with the same system Of government in
Texas and in Mainc,- in Iowa and Carolina while
this country thus considered Is one of The most i'm
portant and imposing powers of the world, we are
really in the attitude of n disconnected naiion The
South awaits the advent OF new States in the North
with no joyous of qualification at the prospect
Of adding another star to our national banner and
augmcn'ing the proportions of this proud and pros
porous republic. But with disrust ana dread, the
slavchodiur States anticipate the maturity of every
Northern territory. when il may apply for admission
into the Union. And the North is equally jealous Of
new States in the South So that thus instead Of
moving forward ne one people. each State and all
sections sorying in the common cause of progress
whether the nations step is toward the North or
South or East West an addition to one section is
considered dan gerous 10 the interests and nimical
to the objects Of the other illustrating the anomaly
and paradox Of united nation divided gainst itself
''Thnt the Constitution of the United States re-
cognizes negro slavery rs an institution which the
Federal Government has no authority either TO cir
cumscribc or extend, II is idle to deny. And 1t is
equally evident that the aim Of aboliiionism is to
obtain, possible, power enough so to amend that
compact between the States as TO make this domcs
tic iustiiNtion amcnable TO Federal laws; or to nc
complisN by violence, what they may fail to be cna
bled to achieve by virtue of legitimate legislation
The North strives TO introduce new States with anti
slavery sentiments cngrafied upon their organic
laws, for The purpose of out-nnmbcring and ovcrrul
ing the representation of the South. And the South
is axious that each new State should adopt n Con-
stituton acknowledging the legitimacy of the inst-
tuition of slavery earnest that in its represent
tatives we will find friends instead of foes. The
policy of the North is aggressive that of the South
defensive. But for The attacks of the abolitionists
upon the institutions Of slavery. and through that
upon the Constitution. the Southern people would
have made no extraordinary cxcrion to COLOMBO
Kansas with supporters of the South. Let us be as
sured that the compact will not be broken that the
Constitution will neither he violated nor altered
againstus, that we are safe within the Union. and
that orr State sovereignty is sacred and the South
will be willing TO cnrnst her fortunes to the laws of
liberty, nature and industry alone. without striving
TO forty her institutions against the inroads er an
enemy. But while the aboliiionists are preparing
for battle, IL we would remain in tho Union as long
as IT can be endured. must also be active.
at is to be expected in n free government that
dangers will arise from an abuse Of liberty. And
unless there institutions of conservative char
actcr, or the people are enlightened and patriotic
enough to qucll the storm through the Influence and
exercise Of the same elements which gave rise to it,
the government must fall n victim to its own impcr-
fcct'ons or the passions of the people.
"Fanocal opposition to tho institution of slavery
is the dangerous rock distinctly marked ont in the
chart with which the American people are furnished
for the guidance of their government. Whether we
shall pass 1t in safety in 1860 or whether the Union
will break upon it, is anxious question in the
mind and heart Of every patriot in the country.
lf the North and South are to continue their con-
nection only by means of respective anncxatons of
new States, to preserve the equpoisc, and prevent
that section from violating the rights of this one or
the other must or later he beaten in the game
Of chance at which they are playing If the North
wins, the South will be forced to save herself in Sc
cession And if the South wins will the North yield
obesance to constitutional law then any more readi-
ly than now? 1t is to be hoped, however, in the in
term that patriotism will prevail over passion and
Drejulico and that Tho Constitution will ct;lI l,o