The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-05-01
THE AFRICAN BILL.

We have been considerably entertained and anus.
cd in watching the concerted movenicnsand bluster
ing onsaughts which have been made upon this pro-
posed BILL by certain presses in this State and the rea
dncss with which they blow each Others horns, or re.
echo the notes of each others denunciatory blasts
against the odoas measure There is no shape form
colorng, however hideous. in which they have not
attempted to exhibit II to the public view, lin order
to render 1t obnoxious to the people. They have mp
propriatcd, quito extensively and freely. from the
large stock Of set phrases and cpilcts of the abo
tionsts against the slave trade In order to polish and
set of their TRADES against IL thus, for the want of
better arguments, they substitute the borrowed plu
mage of abolition dcnunciation against purely sou
thcrn measure. II is our intention to take up this
question. when it suits us, so we are very willing for
those to have rope and play who have gone oil half
cooked and are cutting up such high antics against
this proposition for additional slave labor, to be
quired under the legitimate right and authority Of
the State of Louisiana.
And again we have been most especially amused
at the attempts of the aforesaid journals To attach or
connect this measure, with some political movement
design but they seem to be most cgrcgrously pua.
zlcd as to the how and where they shall hitch it. We
will only say to them now, that whatever may be the
differences of opinion as TO the policy Of this measure
we view the measure itself as one founded in the
rights of this state, and shall look upon those who are
dcnouncing it with such cagerncss. striking their
blows against the vital doctrine of reserved rights
and state sovereignty. We have yet to see u true
states rights Journal in louisiana that has opposed
this proposition with bitterness and abuse. Indeed
if we are not mistaken the only journals which have
appeared to show the most bitter and concerted Dc.
nuncations against it, are those. on the one side
which supposed TO he in the interest of John Sl
dell, and those. on the other side which some have
denominctcd anii-saic rights. or submission know
nothing journals. For ourselves we cannot pretend
to say, what they arc. Opposition from such quar-
ter, of 10 he expected and We are not at
all to be deferred at tho array which they have cxbb
tied, of each others rantings, against this rghtl and
truly Southern measure Why have they not applor.
dcd the following effort in their behalf by The Black
Republican member from Missouri?
Mr.. Blair of Missouri, on the 10Th inst asked
leave to introduce hill in The representative branch
of Congress providing for the punishment of persons
engaged in the importation Of Africans as npprcnti.
ccs The House refused TO give Mr. Blair leave TO
introduce the bill.'
II this measure is both unconstitutional and illegal
already, why the necessity Of Congress passing ano.
thcr law? But we suppose the Abolitioni,tS wanted
TO make the thing doubly sure. and why should not
Mr.. Blair be applauded for his prompt cooperation
with the opponents of the African Bill in Louisiana
We shall not DOW pretend to discuss this measure,
or its policy. We only repeat our deliberate opinion
that the measure is one pertaining TO the reserved
rights of Louisiana that its policy i, purely Son
thcm one aud wisely regulated. nccaiul one and
wc shall so advocate and defend both the measure
and its policy at the proper time let Others repudac
it who will