Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-02
THE SENSE OF THE SOUTH.

7, !. fso. nether TO be denied nor disguised that
here and there Throughout: tho s!aveholding States
NAV be found men Of intelligence and influence, who
have no hesitation In avowng that they are dieunon-
is.- that, In their estimation the South has been,
and Is still sufficiently embarrassed retarded and rg
preved by the "Unou" to render it desirable that
she should Immediately secede. These gentlemen
are the ul,rsss, who lock upon everything pertain
ing to nationality, with disrust and suspicion Tho
are never Satisfied with the operations of the govern
msnt, however faithfully, ably and mpar,ially it may
be administered, and who are always sgitating The
elements of discord with an earnestness which hs'
speaks more Of sincerity than wisdom, discretion or
comprehensive consideration of the noble mission
of our country and the best interests Of the South
But fortunately for the oonfederacy for the American
people, for the cause of constitutional liberty and the
institution OF slavery, they are few and feeble III
comparison with tho overpowering odds against
them. And, although, as We have said. there are
among them men Of influence, as we'll as intelligence
that influence is retarded and crcumscrioed rather
than strengthened extended 10 its action by their
extreme opinion. in relation to the Uulon The true
sense Of the South s in favor Of preserving the con-
iederacy By enforcing the Constitution strictly and
rigdiy. The people of the slave States have no.
absndoasd all hope OF the republic. They are got
prepared for disunion yet.
They have confidence still 10 those Northern men
who have heretofore manifested, and who still mani.
fest regard for our interests and our rights But
they are not unmndful Of the dangers that threaten
their institutions their Independence end their equal
~. The infamous Vaccinations OF the ensnie, q
the South sgsnst negro slavery, the Constitution and
the Un.cn have been always watched with al anx
ious eye rot only by the political leaders hut also by
the people ~. the slave States. And alth Ugh there
are few followers of those ultraists who clamor 70:
dissolution now, there is nevertheless bound with
in which, If abolitionsm dares attempt to step The
Southern people will, WITH one voice. cry aloud Tor
instant secession. Tho same sentiment, the sslne
feelings the same sacred regard for freedom which
attach them to the Union, would ineite them also to
dstest add destroy it when the Constitution is per
vsrted and prosttuted to the oppression it in.
tended to guard against. Tho people of the South
are essentially conservative. Politically and eocni
ly they have always had certain fixed principles. by
which they are guided.
All they ask Of the General Government ia an oh
servance and enforcement Of the compact OF coDlede
ration. The great Democratic doctrine of State
rights they hold sacred. And they maintain the RICH.
Of secession inseparable from State sovereignty,
and indispensable to their own safety and the pre-
serystion Of the principles Of sef government in tho
event OF an overthrow Of the Constitution They
Rill stsnd by the Union as it is; and as long the
affairs of the nstion administered imparially
80 they are now by our wise, conservative and pa.
.riotic President