Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-17
1s..es.
Congress-the Constitution-ths n.s.,

Congress-the Constitution-the Union
We have carefully eschewed politics i a.
conduct of this paper. We are no polit;c;or
but we claim to be patriots-dear lovers
our country and of this Union. Duty imn.ls
us to raise our voice against the bloody band
OF the traitor-the selfish demagogue vbo
would murderously overthrow this glorious
Union, and trample in the dust the flag Of mr.
great federal Republic.
The scenes which have been and arc st;I,
acted out in the Halls of Congress are bn-
initiating and alarming to the friends of our
happy country. The pent up hatred of wears
produced by sectional jealousies and conflict
brought about more by a contest for profit
and place, than a pure patriotism or even the
boosted philanthropy" which is made the
excuse for it, has burst forth, and the sacred
halls of legislation, where truth, reason. ius-
tice and Fidelity, should control every thought.
word and action, are made the arena for per-
sonal abuse and inyective-for the tricks and
articles of the policical gambler, who would
risk his country's destiny on the chances of a
selfish, demagogical manouvre, to secure his
personal advancement.
Fanatical Representatives of the people of
this great nation, without calculating the
value of this Union, are ready to throw Il TO
the winds, rather than be beaten in a fight, not
! for principles, not for country, not for time
honored institutions, but upon an abstract
question; to fan to a flame the fires of sec
tional discord, simply to crafty, as it appears
i to us, a bulldog propensity for victory and
to secure position, Office and aggrandisement
n for self.
ic We are heart and soul with the great body
MS OF the Southern people, because we believe
ct they are a just, patriotic, magnanimous peo-
re pie. Their principles are our principles
it their aims our aims. They demand stern
he adherence on the part of their representatives
sy and of the nation, to the legitimate principles
yes OF the Constitution. They require that the
great objects of this Union shall be main
de- tanned and carried out. If the North violates
yer its pledged faith, if it ignore the objects and
ave purposes Of the federal compact, if it be de.
termined to sacrifice truth, Justice and honor
md and despoil the precious legacy of equality
it? and brotherhood, bequeathed to US by our
Ipal fathers, the South must shake hands with her
in When the mass Of the Southern people, en-.
nui- Ightened and patriotic as they are, throw thu
and die and break off, we go with them. w
hey shall then be ready to say, Amen, but MOI
heir until then. We yield not to the battle CRY
of illegitimate caucuses or the verdict of
give packed jury. We wait the moving of tn
great Southern people before we shoulder on
o@ musket and hasten to the conflict ; but whe
4 70 they do move, we shall be found with them
Have these ~fanatical representatives cor
suited the people? Have they sought b
:, proper means to ascertain their views ant
wishes or forsooth, have they not volur
teered to speak for them in advance? Wins
value do such men place upon their pledge
to the people? What regard have they fo
the solemn oath they made before God, t
preserve the Constitution and to promote Il
good of the country? Verify, the basenes
the corruption of many of the peoples repr,
sentatives in Congress, is becoming so man
fest, so repulsiye to the sound, sober thin
ing people of the nation, that they shou
rise in their might and drive them from til
halls of legislation. Years ago it was sal
if the people knew of their corruption, tn
would drive them neck and heels into {
Potomac. What must be the depth of th'
peace ,
urt a
I'll trefaction. Let them be transported to sol
desolate island in the Pacific, where tn
may seek their vengeance upon each othe
- before their pollution shall call down up
when 'e h@'ioA ~ 90 =