Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15
RALANCE OF POWER.

When the institutions vi b Republican, people can
be maintained only by al equpoise OF sectional in.
huerce and strength In the councils OF the nation,
there is something radically wrong, either in the
government ITSELF in the loyalty and patriotism OF
a large proportion of the people who are protesting
to support it. And hence an increase of represen-
tation in the Congress of the United States, from the
North, at a much more rapid ratio than that from the
South would soon enable the enemies OF slavery, 1t
Is true, to triumph easily in Federal leglsa-
ton. The next House of Representatives. is yet 10
he rendered Democratic; and the Senate will soen
cease to be The great conservative safeguard OF the
republic, unless new slave States are admitted INTO
the Union before that sheetanchor OF the ship is lost
to us forever But the existence of the confedera-
oy depends upon balance of sectional strength, The
Union has either failed to its ends, or the in
,erests sra osngs Of the North and South so an
tagonstic as to be incompatible with prosperous
and peaceful political connection.
The people OF the United States are known to the
world as a great growing and homogeneous nation.
The moral aud physical force of our government are
measured, not by aectonal or State divisions and
subdivisions, but by the combined power of the
whole country. And yet, while We are regarded by
the srest of mankind" as united nation, expanding
our agis, extending our territory, and increasing
our strength as an undivided and independent peo.
ple rejoicing together under common constitution,
with the same system Of government in Texas
and in Maine. in Iowa and Caronai while this coun-
try thus considered is one of the most important and
imnosipp powsrs of the world We are really in the at
titude of a disconnected nation. The South awaits
the advent Of new State in the North, with no JOY
ous sense Of qualification at the prospect OF AIDING
anothe. etar to our national banner and augmentiug
the proporons of this proud and prosperous repub-
liz Rut with disrust and dread the States
antcipste the maturity of every Northern territory,
when it may apply for admission into the Union
And the North is equally jet Jus OF new STATES IN inc
South. So that thus instead OF moving forward As
one people, each State and all sections gloryng In the
common cause of progress whether the nations step
toward The North or South East or West, an ad-
d,on 10 one section ia considered dangerous to the
nsrssts and inimical to the objects Of the oher-.
us,rating the anomaly and paradox OF united ma
ton divided against itself.'
That the Constitution OF tho United STATES
recognizes negro slavery as an institution which
the Federal Government has no authority either
to crcumscribe or extend, it is idle to deny
And it is equally evident that the aim oil aoohton-
ism is to obtain, If possible, power enough 30 10
amend that compact between the States as 10 make
this domestic institution amenaole TO Federa1 ia"s;
or TO accomplish, by violence, what they may iaii 10
bs enabled to achieve by virtue of Legitimate legis-
is,;on The North strives to Introduce new States
with enti.slavery sentiments engraited upon their
organic laws, for the purpose OF ous'huHosring "no
oyerruling the representation OF the South' Ana Inc
South ia anxious that each new State should adopta
Constitution acknowledging the legitimacy OF the
institution of Slavery az an earneat that IN s repre-
sentatiyes we will find friends instead oil foes. Inc
policy of the North is aggressive, tnat pt 'ne oouln
defensive But for the attacks OF the aooiitionsts
upon the institutions Of slavery, and through that
nnon the Constitution, the Southern people would
have made no extraordinary exerton to colo9ze Kan
oss with supporters of the South Let us be sseured
that the compact will not be broken, that the Con-
stution will neither be violated nor altered agalnst
ia that ve are safe within the Union, and That our
State sovereignty is sacred; and the South VIII De
, n antitrust her fortunes to the laws OF liberty,
,aurs and industry alone, without striving TO forlfy
hor ;,s,;tutions against the inroads of an enemy
But while the abotoniss are preparing for battle, if
We would remain in the Union az long as it can be
endured, ,ce must also be active.
II is to be expected In a free government that
dangers will arise from an abuse Of liberty. And
unless there are institutions OF conservative char
sct.r or the people are enlightened and patriotic
enough to quell the storm through the influence and
e.e,c;,e of the same elements which give rise to It,
fections or the passions of the people.
E.na,ica opposition to the institution of slavery
ia the dangerous rock distinctly marked out in the
chart with which the American people are furnished
for the guidance of their government Whether we
alb. pass it in safety in 1862 whether the Union will
break uponit, anxious question in the mind and
heart of every patriot in the country.
If the North and South are to continue their con-
nec,ion ouly by means Of respective anne1atons Of
new States to preserve the equipoise, and prevsns