Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-22


ty and patriotism and he hopes to preserve th,
Union by securing the South through the agency o
Democratic principles, under the guidance and drec
ton Of national man, who "knows no sections,
but conforms to the Constitution, protects the right
and advances the interests OF the whole country.
. e.-
THE SOUTHERN ULTRAISTS, THE ADMIN.
ISTRATION AND THE UNION.
Never perhaps at any previous period in the politi
cal history Of this country has there been urgent
necessity, now, for calmness and moderation on th
part people Of both sections ofths Union crs
has come, and upon its issue depends the peace anc
prosperity thecountry the convusion and disrup
ton Of the confederacy The result of the Presden
tIal election in 1860, will probably determine upor
one or the other alternative In the South and in tn,
North, we believe there is an immense majority il
favor of the perpetuity of the Union In both sec
tions there are antpodal utrasts, who would sooner
SEQ severance OF the confederacy than desis from
agitation. The fanatics of the North have placed
themselves beyond the pale OF argument. DeDun
citation s the only weapon that can wound or weaken
thenl But the urasts of the South err on the side
OF right, and it is TO be hoped they are not naccess
unionsts per- 1t may be said, indeed, that the ab.
sorbng object now in the American mind is the safe
ty of the Union with security to the South.
The save-holdng States have never contended for
any other right than those guaranteed to them by the
Constitution They only ask that the agreement be-
tween The States the compact of confederscy, shall
be observed strictly and imparally. But this they
demand strenuously and justly. There have been
instances in which the Constitution grossly vio-
lated, and with injury TO the interests and insult 10
the honor of The South. Then we were warrant
ed in demanding reparation by the repeal Of the OBJ
noxious laws, and in making upon those who ell
coursged them with their counsels, or shielded them
with connvance. But under what grievance, we
ask, is the South suiferingl Is there any enact
ment Of the Federal Government still standing on
the statute books which initiates against the instu
ton of slavery If there s none what right or rea
son have we to demand more than is already accord
cd us2
The slavery question has been source of excite
rnent for number OF years. II has led TO serious
troubles and it may yet he the of dissolution
of the Union. The South, however, can never be
justified in demanding separation from the North az
long rs the compact between them is enforced. 1t
matters not 10 what Of tanaticsm and phrenzy
the anti slave States may be wrought by the preiu-
dces which control them, the General Government
is amenabe to the Southern people for Federal legs-
laon alone on the institution Of slavery II is true,
those States which enact unconstitutional laws in
tagonsm to the acs of Congress providing for the pro
lection OF the rights of other States should ii poss
ho A.
to submission TO the execution OF all laws recognized
by the Constitution. But because tile people Of YER
mont or Massachusetts, may resist the capture OF q
slave by his owners, without any violation Of the
lava Of the State, the Federal Government should
not be held to answer There are United States Off
cers in every State amply empowered with all the
thority the Government can confer. And yet it is
utterly impossible always to battle the designs of un.
prncipled traitors and fanatics who oppose the exc
cution of the law. The truth is, the South has only
to hold on to what che has, and she will have nothing
TO fear. But it may be questionable that che will be
able 10 hold on. Then We say, when she is driven
from the position che now occupies, when Black
Republican ia made President, Congress attempts
10 prohibit slavery in the territories, the time will
have come, when, cost what It may, the South must
secede fraSpS a ,En6uiug statta arc as'asd 'na ui
pugned by the Federal Government or an Abolition
ia, is elected to the Presidency, there can be no
cause for an event so much to be dreaded.
The Administration OF Mr.. Buchanan is prompted
by no preiudces or predictions. North and South
and East and West are alike regarded and disregard
ed In obedience to the precepts OF the CONSTITUTION
and the principles Of the Democratic party. Mr.
Buchanan was made President by the conservative
and lsw.abjing people Of both sections. There was
no compromise in his election, but it was not the re
suit either of Southern sectionalism or Northern
fansticism. lie was chosen with reference to the
rights Of all the States as guaranteed to them by the
comnact which constitutes the bond and basis OF their
Union. His Administration is expected neither to
extend nor circumscribe the institution Of slavery,
hut IN leaye il undisturbed in the States and in the
Territories to the sovereign will Of the people. MIR.
Buchanan is the representative OF no extreme nor
is his position that Of passveness or negative nsu'
rsty. lie opposes the inroads OF abolitionlsm upon
the South because he considers slavery recognised
and protected by the Constitution. And he 10 equal
" opposed to that ultraism in this section, which de
mands more than we have any right 10 AK Liz
election last fall indicated an alarming degree oi aoo
lition strength; it also proved that the Son''er'
people were aroused to q full sense OF the dan
ger. The Black Republicans were beaten ant
the Union, for four more years at least wa
saved The conservatism Of the country was con
centrsted upon the Democratic candidate, VIII
the hope OF redeemipg the republic from IN
dangers that threatened it, And now that it is al
important that the Administration should be sustain
OIL in its patriotic efforts to defeat fanaclsm in tn
North, and thereby prepare the country for iutur
prosperity and peace, it is strange indeed thar oo""
eru Democrats should endeavor to impair pubic col
fdence in President, whose record, as comphe
and publshed, if we mistake not, by The CAdrcSfo
y,rcyyv las, Fall, proves him to have always been
,.,o % tho South AZ the most ardent Southern ma
could ask.
The Administration sdheres to the Constitution re
gardless of factious clamors from any quarter. IL
conduct is controlled by the true principles OF II
Government. And in order 10 accomplish the pur
nose for which Mr.. Buchanan was elected TO the IRE
sidency it is necessary that he should be as cordial
sustained now, as he was at the polls in November
The only mode Of preserving the Union 49, by sd
ministerng the affairs of the nation according 10 IN
! Constitution. The Administration is doing thls an
conservative men North and South should support
Eealously, and without division or dlsaension.
! Disunionsts, We admit. cannot be pleased VII
Mr. Buchanan He is President of naton-nc
of section.
THE CENTRAL AMERICA.
In another column, our readers will lind farther u
telreuce relative to the loss Of the steamship Eel
trail America We are delighted to learn that instes
of fifty or sixty the number now known to be save
amounts to ninety FIVE. And as The ship was we
supplied with fsboas, and life preser'ers more Ina