The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-14

cOntIct OetDeen FTeedOm ana SGGre7'y Stbtt
going on!
From the Richmond (VaD South Jan s.
SOUTHERN SYMPATHY FOR WALKER.
The arrest of Gen. Walker, with the circurn-
stances of violence and aggression attendant
upon the act, has developed the existence of
deep and pervad;ng sympathy for, his cause
throughout the Southern States.
The feeling has long been latent in the pub
nc heart, awaiting al opportunity to demon
strate its prevalence and its power in an out
burst of popular enthusiasm. The match is
applied, and in q moment the country feels the
shock of an explosion which threatens destruc-
ton, not only to the unfortunate individual who
hred the magazine, but to the Administration
which refuses to step aside from the line of re-
coil.
1t Is mistake to attribute this manifestation
OF public opinion in the South to an impulsive
and aggressive spirit of flibusterism. The peo-
pie OF the siaveholding States are rather con-
servatlVe IN their views Of foreign policy; for,
besides their habitual respect for the obligations
of public law, they know very well that, if the
country be projected upon career of conquest,
1t will ultimately exchange the character of
Federal Republic for the despotism of consol-
idated Democracy. 1t is true they retain more
enterprise Of spiEit, and stronger passion for
the excitements of war, than can be found
among the white slaves, timiG capitalists, and
effeminate man-milliners OF the North, bat even
that characteristic will not avail as an explana-
ton OF their sympathy with Walkers movement
The secret lies in another direction
If Slavery be not an exceptional and acct
dental institution-if it rest upon foundation
of reason, and work in accord with the econo-
my OF the moral world-if it possess an inhe-
rent vitality and power of expansion-then must
1t have scope for growth and development, or
else sink under its own weight, and perish of
sutfocation. But it finds no escape in the North,
the ocean denies it an Eastern outlet, and egis.
laslve prohibition bars It's pathway toward the
setting sun. Only in the direction of the trop-
les Is there possibility of its extension. If al.
lowed fair play and free outgrowth along the
shores of the Mexican Gulf, it may not only
escape the pressure upon it from other points
OF the compass, but may even repair past disas-
ters, and recover its ancient ascendency.
ln Its progressive development the accession
OF Cuba would impart an impulse to It's advan-
eng columns, and its triumph would eliminate
IN an alliance with the great slave empire of
the South American continent. When this shall
be accomplished; when tae dominion of Sla-
very shall extend in unbroken strength from
the Allegbany Mountains to the Equator shall
monopolize the wealth of the tropics and hold
the commerce Of the world in its grasp-we may
d,smiss every apprehension for the stability of
its rule. From the summit of its power, it will
look down upon the intrigues Of hostile Cabi-
nets and the 6rutum fislmen of platform philan.
throphy with supreme contempt and unrnffled
complacency.
Two separate influences are at work to pre-
Al
struggle, the Abolitionists of the North have
succeeded in arresting the westward progress
of Slavery. The South was cheated of Caifor-
MIA by the juggle of Squatter Sovereignty. The
repeal of the Missouri Restriction mocked US
with barren sceptre and fruitless victory.
BY fraud and force, Kansas is snstched from
our grasp. Nor is there any hope of Cuba,
while Black Rapublicanism is ascendant in the
North.
But the Aboltionists of Old England are in
alliance with the Abolitionsis of New England.
Exeter Hall is the centre of AntiSlavery agita.
tion Downing street is the source of Anti
Slavery action. While the Free-Soilers of the
North engage to restrict the development of
Southern institutions within the dominions of
the Confederacy, the British Ministry undertake
to prevent their expansion abroad. The his
tory OF the Slavery controversy aboupds with
instances of cooperation between these parties.
To revert to no more distant period than the
annexation OF Texas, we all remember that the
measure was opposed, as we'll by the intrigues
of British diplomacy as by the votes and speeches
of Northern Abolitionists. A still more recent
example is furnished by the attempt of Eng
land and France to commit the United States
against the acquisition Of Cuba The latest
illustration is, the event that now engages the
thought OF the country. For the dispersion Of
the tillibuster forces in Nicaragua, though &C
comphshed through the instrumentality of the
American navy, was prompted by a suggestion
from the Cabinet OF Great Britain, and effected
in the interest of Exeter Hall Abolitionists.
These, then, are the parties who we find en-
gagged in struggle for supremacy in Central
America and upon the shores of the Mexican
Gulf. On the one side is William Walker,
with band of adventurous spirits, who rally
to his standard and share the plorv of his he.
roic achievements; on the other are the Brit
ish Ministry, intent to curb the rising power of
the great Republic, and to restrict the expan-
sion OF Southern institutions. Is it expected
that the people of the slaveholdipg States can
remain indifferent spectators of the contest
Need there be surprise they avow sympathy
tor the chieftaln who aspires to regenerate the
efete nationalities of the Isthmus. and TO prop.
nso.o 'u0 iue>s auu euerSies OF American civil
ization over the American continent Why
wonder if they execrate the insolent interven-
ton of Great Britain9 Why affect astonish.
ment at their indignation against the U. s. off.
oer who violated the sanctities of international
law and the ri ghts of personal liberty in obey
ing the behests OF English Abolitionism7 We
need not suppose Walker to be in the interests
of the South. We may admit that he is not a
propaganda OF Slavery. But when we see
him struggling to repel the apgressions of
British influence in the heart of the American
continent, and to clear a way for the expansion