The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-28
Q THE PEOpI4Or Nh QBOUTFfeRNAND
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a Az meeting Of u0D uth<R Aexs vile,
IN Montgomery, In the State Of Alabama the 10th
day Of May next.
The object OF the address we understand IT, is To
mind you of the approaching session Of the convention,
and To urge you 10 appoint delegates W IT, and pro
coed nov 10 perform that duty d VIZ ,N35
The motive which prompted the organization Of
southern commercial convention the desire TO
tain the vi e decline OF the iolegn Of
the southern States and devis phsn for its
yva and restoration The people Of the southern Stakes
and frlt the anomalous fact that the cotry which
produces three ths in value Of the exports Of the
ton had not only lost it, conmeroisl saprenary, but
had become, commercially. dependent upon and yet
tributary to that portion OF the country which pssies
much the srnallest portion Of those exports This was
not only unnatural but exhaustng and depressing
process retardng, necessarily, the growth and prosperity
OF the South, and it natural TO desire il
cessary to provide, remedy for H. This desire and
cessity suggested the idea of assembling in every
year the people OF the SOUTH by deputies, in
ton, for the purpose Of gathering information from the
most reliable witnesses ~ the Of the OWL with
the hope OF obtaining from the wiscs and most devoted
sons of the South the suggestion Of plan system Of
measures which should correct il.
We regret 10 say that thus far, hopes have not
been realized while the predictions opponents have
been ~ some extent verified although much good has
been accomplished Our disappointment has not BEEN
however, the fault entirely of the convention for al
though have been too much div ied among ourselves
as to the remedies proper to be adopted and thereby
have impaired efficiency, still much good has been
accomplished IL have carried suggestions into
execution without dependence upon the will Of Congress
and the State legislatures The chief benefit which has
resulted from the sessions Of the convention
Increased knowledge Of and for each other with
better understanding of wants resulting these
assemblies. Southern men have been made more extern
sively acquainted with each other and through that
quaintance have learned the cheering and delightful fact
that however may differ about men, about party pol
itics particular remedies among ourselves there in
the South but heart and will for traduces
and assailants; and that when the time for blow at
them shall arrive, II unhappily it ever SHALL all the
energy, patriotism, and courage of united nation will
be felt in that blow by those who shall uunppily pro
woke that, however may differ among ourselves
TO the Of attack the mode of Defence there il
mo difference of opinion 10 the great conclusion that
the South must be defended and all her rights protect
ed-cost what it may. This and compensa-
ton enough for any trouble and expense in holding
assemblies. But rapidly occurring events furnish add-
tonai and conclusive incentives to The continuance of the
work which we have commenced the commercial indie
pendencc of the South by bringing closely and dis
tincty to view the probability that shall mt
distant day be compelled to assert political ndepen
dence without the of regulating and controlling
our own commerce. for, without that power nation
can be free.
If the South is WISE then, and would he proyident,
she will lose time in providing the best MEANS and all
the means within her power to restore her COM
merce to her own ports and people For, whether she
il to be permitted 10 remain in the Unonenjoyng in
honorable peace all her constitutional righs~or il to he
compelled by continued and progressive assaults upon
her rights, her interest and her fcengsthe most uIl.
prccedentcd and hngtous which cupidity and ambition
ever prompted Ito assert her right to withdraw from an
association which longer recognises tho original
pact as the rule Of its government longer to yield su
mission to oppressive and Ubiquitous majority IL Is of
the highest Importance 10 her, if not absolute neccs
sity that she should seriously aud earnestly address
self to the restoration of her foreign commerce. and
the encouragement within her limits by her own means
Of the manufacture Of those articles which necessary
to her comfort e.tN.4 a85gHt as8sa9lt ~ ~
The candid lover Of the union Of the States must be
satisfied as it to the undersigned that il not al
ready sbfogatei in spirit by the delibe'atve violations
OF the compact to and for the injury Of the South by
many Of the northern and eastern States, there is not
only little ground to hope for the preservation Of it, upon
the basis and under the guarantee Of the constitution Of
1857 but there is the most imminent danger of its
tire destruction before many years shall have rolled by
For number OF years. not only the most offensive de-
nuncations have been poured out upon the South but
the most wanton aggressons upon her constitutional
rights have been committed commencing with the most
absurd and unoundcd claim of right To convert the
halls of the national council into upon which TO
discuss the tenure by which hold slaves under
the pretcnce of petitoing for redress grievances
Not only has right to reclaim our slaves when
they escape into northern Statc) been denied but the
law passed by Congress for protection has been
sisted by the people who claim i'll to be i'm the Union
And recently the State of Massachusetts, has perpeatcd
an act such committed before by any consti-
tuonal government, to wit the removal of Judge
Qoring) without impeachment for any crime, simply be-
cause he has honestly and faithfully enforced that law
III the southern States To pass laws prohibiting
citizen OF Massachusetts from recovering any debt or
other property within their limits Or without such law
should remove from office every judge who should render
Judgment in suit in favor of citizen Of Massachusetts
Massachusetts, could not complain but the union with
Massachusetts, would bc dissolved Is il not dissolve al
ready If the southern States choose to regard il Y But
this Is not all though this is enough to sxpse the dam
ger and the true question is shall the South wait until
the danger overtakes her unpreared then TO meet IL
fully and ward OIL its evils Again
You painfully sensible Of the protractcd and ex
cited struggle which has several years been in progress
IN relation to the settlement and government the Ter
ritory OF Kansas. Finally, the struggle seemed have
been terminated by the adoption of constitution for the
Territory, to constitute IL State admitted in
to the Union With the details Of the controversy
not propose TO deal We shall speak only Of results
When that constitution adopted il was transmitted
to the President. and, with noble coming AS
he does from the North, and with faithful adherence to
the constitutional opinions Of the State rights party
he submitted IL to Congress, with the recommendation
that should be received by it, and the Stale of Kansas
left To correct the errors, II any committed
dress the wrongs, II any pcrpctIacd, Of the Terri
ry from Congress, to whom il in wise belongs to deal
with the question OF slavery in any fom and who can
NEEDLE With it only for miscicvos purposes and In Vi
olation OF its constitutional duty.
The consequence Of This act has been the reopening
not only Of all the sluccs of abuse and ctrcion of the
South, from than quarter aud especially from
the representatives OF the great State of New York in
the Senate by whom has been proclaimed without
buke from any northern SENATOR that we the savc-own
crs of the South TO be pursued from Maryland to
Mexico, and, IL need be- order strip s of a home