Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-07-31
NC southern Leagne--ssExtremes meet.''


It's somewhat remarkable that fanatics at the |
North and eaters at the South, representing as
they do, the extremes Of political and social aniag
onism, should be found aiding each ether in the
promotion Of a common purpose. GARRlsoN and
his followers are not more earnest in their efforts
for the dissolution Of the Union aud the destruction
Of the Confederacy than the Southern ultraiss who
are constantly Haming the public mind by fervid
appeals to their passions and prejudiess, intended
TO kindle dissension between the sections and weak
en- the bonds which bind them together While the
Abolihonists denounce the Constitution and the
UEion ''as unhOly compact" the authors and ad-
vocates of the Southern League are striving $50
precipitate the South into a revolution" Both ex-
tremes agree in thinking dissolution desirable, and
they rival each other in their hostility to that calm
conservative policy which would counsel mutual
forbesrance between the different portions Of our
Confederscy. We can see nothing in the political
condition Of the country, to authorize the belief
that these efforts on the part Of the extremists Of
either section viii be successful. We have a sound
national administration, which will preserve the
rights Of the North and The South from violation
infraction. We have 8 majority in both Houses of
Congress, who are determined to protect the con
stitutiOnal privileges of both sections, and yield
equal justice to all. While this is the case, it is
useless to attempt to win the South from her ale
glance to the Union, and precpiate her into revO-
luton We believe that majority of the North
srn people disapprOve the treacherOus designs Of
their Abolition leaders, and that they will cling to
the Constitution with fidelity in spite of the efforts
Of demsgogues and fanatics.
The object contemplated in the organization Of
the Southern League, is one which no patriot can
spprovs. lisa combination for the purpose of
Strengthening sectional jealousy and haired, and
weakening the ties which bind the South to the
Union. 1t assumes an attitude Of resistance to the
general government, and is an avowed preparation
for open rebellion. 1t is not combination Of men
uniting together for the redress of their common
WrongsFOr for the establishment Of great princi-
pie. No such sacred object sanotifes the movement,
or extenuates the recklessness Of those who par
tieipate in it. 1t is based upon considerations of
peOUniary advantage alone. Cotton is the bond
that untes them together. Cotton is the king that
Yields its golden sceptre their heads and they
bend submissively to its dominion. It is humiliat
ing to confess that the noble spirited freemen of
the south have forgotten their obligations to their
country, not because its government was unjust, or
its laws oppressive but because they think their Pc
euniary interests would be promoted by dissolu-
ton Of the Union. They seem to regard cotton as
the only test of fidelity to the South the only tie
that binds the Southern sisterhood together. They
regard the States which do not produce it with dis
trust and suspicion. They Danish them from their
councils, and refuse them their confidence We
would inform these exclusive friends Of the South,
that if their object is hostile to the existence Of the
Federal Union, that neither Tennessee and Virginia
nor Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina-none
of the Southern States, will participate in their
plots. But when The rights and Institutions Of the
country, any portion of the country, are assal-
ed, we need sOrdid motives OF interest to stimu-
late US to resistance. We do not acknowledge the
sovereignty of cotton, where principle is involved,
and neither our patriotism nor cur opinions will
yield to mere selfish views, and sordid considera-
tons. To show that we do no injustice to Mr.
YAECET and his associates in the organization Of
the Southern League we copy his letter, written to
one of his political friends and published, we be-
Heve, in the Montgomery AdDsrtssT.
MONTGOMERY, June Is, 1858.
Dear Sir; Your kind favor Of the l4lh Is received.
I hardly agree wit you that general movement
can be made that will clean out the Augean stable.
If the Democracy were overthrow, it would result
in giving place TO greater and hungrier swarm Of
flies
The remedy Of the South is not in such pro-
gress. 1t is in a diligent organization Of her true
men for prompt resistance to the next aggression.
1t must come in the nature Of things. No national
party can save US; sectional party can do il.
But, If we could do our fathers did, organize
COMMITTEES Of Safety" all over the Cotton States,
(snd il is only in ,hem that can hope for any eff
fective mOvement) We shall fire the Southern heart
instruct the Southern mind, give courage to each
other, and, at the proper moment by one organized
concerted action We can precpiate the Cotton States
into revolution.
The idea has been Swallowed forth in the Doutb
by Mr.. Rufin; has been taken up and recommended
in the AdUsytlser, under the name Of League Of
United SoUtherners," who, keeping up their old
party relations all other questions, will hold The
Southern issue paramount, and will influence par
ties, Legislatures, and statesmen. l have no time
to enlarge, but suggest merely
In haste, yours, &c,
W. L. YAECEY.
To JAS. S. SLAUGHTER, Esq.