Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-22


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FRIDAY, JANUARY 81, 1883.
BAIANCE OF POWER-TERRlTORIAL EX-
pANSlON NORTH AND SOUTH.
we search out the primary motives that prompt
both sections of the Union in their desire for mu
tpcation of States, snd consequently, in the efforts
of each to expand its area, the discovery s by NO
means calculated 10 inspire us with new hope for the
continuance of the confederacy. 1t discloses the
mor,ying fact, that instead of relying with asense OF
security upon the good faith of the North in observ
ing the Constitution the South is driven, by mpend
ing danger to seek safety in strengh-to cast about
her for some other security lest those guarantees of
her rights which the government gives her may
sooner or later, prove inadequate TO protect her. 1t
also shows that the danger 10 not imaginary, and for
the reason that the North tetrays its disposition 10
triumph over the South by superior numbers, regard
less OF the rights Of the States and Of the Constitution
as il was and as it is That section is anxious
TO add free States for the purpose of making more
effective war upon slavery. This ID anxious to add
slave States order that it may be enabled to resist the
assaults upon ts institutions. In this sutagonism-we
will not say Of interests for the North well as the
South is prOfted politically and pecuniarily by the
existence Of slavery; but in this antagonsm of pre-
judices, this of feeling, this organized and ran.
corous opposition of efforts and conflict of motives
between the two sections, we say, there is something
that carries hope to the patriots heart 1t too
palpatle that the spirit Of brotherhood, the communl
ty Of sentiment, the harmony of sympathy and OF
thought that gave vitality to the Union, are all sadly
le.sened by the preiudices Of the North against the
South. When the confederacy was formed, the old
thirteen States, like band Of brothers, were true each
to the other and to ALL There was sincere sym
pathy between them-a sense Of common Interests
and common cause, the same hopes and the same
fsars. The advancement Uf Virginia was looked
upon with pride and pleasure by Massachusetts.-
And if Pennsylvania or Vermont prospered,
South Carolina felt that she too had reason to
rejoice But il is not so now. The North vii6ee,
insults and encroaches upon the South. Envy and
hatred rankle in the hearts of the enemies of the slave
States. And although the Union etil stands the spi.
rt within 10 not it wae although the once happy
household is still under the same old parental roof,
hard feelings exist aud harsh words heard where
all used to be harmony and peace; although the col
diers are still marching under the flag OF 76, there
are murmurs OF mutiny in the ranks, and discomfort
is turbulent in the camp. Aboltonism 10 the serpent
that has stolen into the garden.
A conformity to the Constitution, on the part o.
both the North and South, Is the only of per
petuating the Union. II its equilibrium is to b.
maintained only as long as the physical strength OF
the South is enabled resist the attacks Of the North
then, indeed, has all the glory Of the pact departed
and is the future frownng upon the sad fate Of tn,
o,etn In yha ,nrlf
has ever seen. 1t may be. however, that, like the
English at Lucknow, if we can hold out for brie
season, relief may come 10 us. The Northern mind
may undergo change. The Northern Democrats may
20 'copquering and 10 conquer" until abohonisn
is borne down and the votaries Of law and orde
and the Union every; here in the ascendant. Blu
there are othS and stronger reasons that the Soutl
should be in favor of the extension Of her nstitu
tutons and the expansion of our territory towards
the tropics. II it does not serve as preventive o
disunon to multiply the slave States it will surely en-
able us to meet that emergency-should It ever b.
forced upon us-with the confidence of establishing
new republic, equal in area and strength to most
and perhaps any Of the great powers OF the world
The free States increasing in numbers more rapid,
than the slave States. And If all the Northern peo
pie were disposed towards the South and her pstitu
tioDs, as the abolitionists are. the day of dis
union would have long ago been at hand. bu
We have host Of fearless defenders and friends i
the gallant Democracy of the North. And Will
they hold the enemy in check, We may be enabled
mantsin our rights and the Union too. But the tim
may come, when the free States will go outnumbe
the slave States and when the enemies of the Soui
will 80 far exceed in strength the friends Of the South
that disruption Of the confederaoy will be ndisper
ssble to the security of negro slavery and consttr
tlonal liberty. There are but two modes, we thinl
of posponipg so lamentable an event. They are sin
ply these The Black Republican party must reced
before the advancing column Of Democracy In th
North; or new territory and Few States must be add
cd to the Union at the South. Such are in our est
nation the only means Of de(erring dissolution {
the Union. There is but one way Of averting it a
together, and that is by conforming to the Constu
| ton. The North and South are now playing at
game Of chance. They trying to add free States
we endeavoring to introduce slave States. Sooner
later one or the other must win. II tee South, th
Constitution will be sustained. If the North, th
South must either be sacrificed, or she muet seced
from the Union. Meantime, as the game goes on
let us contend for the Constitution and rely upon
for safety. But, for the sake Of the South,n the Uno
or out Of il, let us hope for more slave States.