The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-13
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
From the Richmond Wal South.
THE WASHINGTON STATES" AND "THE
SOUTH"

For the very complimentary terms in which
the Washington States has referred to US, we
hasten to make every acknowledgment. That
paper, while animadverting upon "the acrimo-
ny and zeal with which we have assailed Gov
ernor Walkers Kansas policy" has never i'm.
pugned the rectitude of our motives, or accused
us of a deliberate design to disorganize the
Democratic party. 1t thinks, indeed, we have
been too "hasty and violent" in our structures,
but ascribes the Interference of our conduct
to warm, impulsive nature, goaded by in
discreet attacks on the one hand, and csjoled
by lnsidious Establishments on the other" In
this opinion, it is needless to say, we differ with
our contemporary. In commenting, however
severely, upon Walkers course, we have only
expressed the honest convictions of our own
Judgment, unbiased by any feelings of enmity
or prejudice, and uninhuenced by the advice
and counsel of any man or set Of men. We
were but indicating the principles of our polti-
cal creed, in condemning what we considered
to be gross dereliction of duty on the part of
high official. To be sure, we are deeply graf
flied to know that the opinions we have 80
often and so freely expressed are cordially
endorsed by great majority of the Southern
Democracy. But, if we stood alone in our
present attitude, we would not barter the firm
convictions of our mind for any considerations
believe that we are atsodys "hasty and vio-
lent "-constantly tossed about by the gales of
impetuosty, and melted by the quick resent.
ments of too sensitive and impulsive nature
We must have some lucid intervals of calm
and dlspassionate reflection. Will il not, there
fore, be surprised at the asseveration, that
never, at any time, have we been disposed to
blot one single line of our record against Rob-
ert >. Walker, or to take one step backward in
our career of opposition to his unwarrantable
usurpations in Kansas?
The States does US no more than Justice in
saying, " That The South ehould, in mere
aoantonness, assail, either directly or by impli-
cation, an Administration which its editor ma.
terially aided to place in power, is not to be
supposed" With every inclination to support
heartily and unreservedly the Administration
OF MIR. Buchanan, we mean not blindly to &C.
quiesce in all its measures. whether they meet
our appreciation or not. With proper appre
citation of the duties and responsibilities of q
free press, we intend to exercise vigiant sur
ueitlance over the acts of all the public func-
tionaries, and to apply to them the unerring
test of principle.
The States will remember, we have all along
contended that Mr.. Buchanan did not approve
Walkers proposition to permit ell the actual
settlers or inhabitants 4" to vote for the
Constitution. In support of that opinion, we
now produce the testimony of the States. 1t
declares, by authority, that Mr. Buchanan ain.
tended to place the ooters for the Constitution
under the same restrictions that applied to
those 'oto ooted for members of the C0nstitu-
ttonat Convention" This is all that we demand;
but it is far from being the doctrine of r bert
j. Walker. We have also the Gerry best outltori.
ty for saying that Mr.. Buchanan himself CEN
sures the offcious intermeddling of Walker
with matters over which he had no control, and
in regard to which be had no right to express
an opinion. With what justice or property.
then, can we, who have condemned his conduct.
be accused of unsyowed hostility" to the
Administration