Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-28

to party those of her in whose prudence frmncss
saracitv and devotion to her institutions she reposes
most confidence to determine whether constitutional
safeguard NAV be devised which shall place the rights
of both sections upon impegnabe basis and by its
tendency TO terminate the political agitation of this ques-
ton bind up the now shattered arch of the Union
An amendment has been suggested by an eminent cit
izen of our own State which would 90 very far TO secure
this object Let the Senate be divided into two cham
bers one from the free and the other from the slave
States: let majority, or even twO-thirds of either
chamber have right TO call for vote by chambers up
on any subject referred to the Senate and in such
the concurrence of each chamber be made necessary:
and let this provision with those relating to the powers
of the Senate be made unaerabe except with the cou
sent of majority of the slave States This provision
would not only protect from injustice in the enact
ment ofaws aud the negotiation of treaties but from
abuse OF the power Of appointment by the Executive BY
rendering il impossible the Federal Government
in anv form for the overthrow of slavery it would re-
move all inducement TO introduce that subject as
an element into the formation of parties. The
North might elevate the most violent enemy of
the institution to the Presidency, but the South could
compel him. through the Senate to observe the limits OF
justice and moderation There Is so much variety in the
industrial interests of the Southern States that this pow
er could never be used uiict any wrong upor the
North Might we not hopefully appeal to its patriotism
and Justice for concession which would involve no dan
ger to its own rights and which, by bashing the appre
tensions from our bosOms that we have much
ny and friendship? If TO tue completeness of this adj
usment 1t should be thought necessary, to settle
conflicting claims present or future territories il would
not be difficult frame constitutional provision de
pending upon geographical lines which would be fair and
equal between the two sections No doubt there are
midable obstacles in the way of such amendment
Every great work difficult. In period of tranquility
should be hopeless of its adoption but with poit-
ca fabric rocking its base theTei labor and there
few sacrifices from which patriotism should shrink if
they NAV result in establishing peace and perpeuatng
the Union.
CONFERENCE WILL Prevent oNE STATE ACTING WITH IN
DISCRETION, AND ruus INVOLVING OTHERS.
But there is another and decisive for the as
scmbng OF a Southern Convention at this time. We
unanimous in determination TO resent resist, in
form the transfer of the power and patronage of the
government into the hands ola Black Republican Pre,
dent but we are divided in opinion the mode and
OF resistance Some propose to prevent his in
auguratiOn by iOrcc-Olher to suspend all intercourse
of friendship business with the North, and wait with
arms in our hands for some positive aggression in the
shape of aw-otherS withdraw at from cOnied-
eracy which, far from insuring domestic tranquility,
establishing Justice and promoting the general welfare, Is
being actually used for the destruction Of those great
ends of its formation. If there any who desire that
the existing relations between the two sections should
main uudisurbed by deliberate and injurious an ex
preston of purpose from the Northern people, and that
should rely only for future security upon appeals
hitherto unhceded their of justice and good
tlt IL there are men amongst VI who would be willing
thus to place the great interests of society at the
mercy of sectional and natical majority can only say
that like the dark spots the disc OF the SUM- their very
presence uuobscryed amid the widespread blaze of 10y
al devotion to Southern rights and honor.
Now IL IS impossible TO give vigor aud efficacy to
resolutions without mpartug to them unity, and unity
only be attained 10y conference, in which, whilst wis
dom shall restrain the spirit of rashncss, Il generous
magHanimty may preserve prudence from dcgeueratng
into guobe fear. 4 determination which shall obtain
the general sanction Of the sayehoding States, will
either 10 Us rights in the JnOn will ena-
ble leave it in peace and honor In the absence of
such convention, distracted counsels may bring
the very brink of ruin see frequent reference TO
resistance in the Union If peaceful measures such
uon-ntercourse intended by this phrase they
my hearty appreciation, so long there is any likelihood
of their producing the desired result, aud,
il may be safe to rely upon them alone. If it
q, that should remain in the Union and resist
the Inauguration OF Black Republican President by
force, more dangerous and nutcious policy could not,
my judgment, be suggested. The appeal to must
necessarily lead TO general civil war; of which man
could foresee the end Ii successful the interregnum
during which all the functions Of the general govern
ment would be suspended, must be period of anarchy
from whose paralyang influence il constitutional forms
should regain their ascendanCy the energies of the
country could for generations. But | am far
from contemplating submission, If an event much TO
be deprecated should occur Submission would involve
". To withdraw from the Union peacefully unless COM
PEELED to take arms in defence Of rights appears to
me- in that contingency to be at the path of honor
and the path of safety. Are there any obligations of du
" forbid this course? Ii is said that we are bound
10 submit to the decision of constitutional majority
that when all people value cherish is in dan
ger they cannot be controlled by techuicales Accord
ing the principles OF free government the best eyi-
dence of the will and the interest of all which be
dnarly procured, is the voice Of constitutional majOri
ty. But the theory presupposes the existence of sub
santia identity and harmony OF interest between the peO
pie Of State and divisions Of opinions OF only as TO the
policy which will promote it.
Where there is great natural and permanent antago-
nism between the interests of different sections the only
escape which open to the weaker section is estab
lish distinct goyernment-or to obtain adequate cOnsti
tutiOnal limitations upon the power OF the majority
Representation according 20 their numbers in the British
Parliament would have reconcled the patriots of the
Revolution TO the claim of legislative authority for
would have been worthless security against oppression.
Between the North and the South there is real antag
ousm, but the Black Republican organization proceed,
upon tue assumption of 1t declares that between
the free labor OF the North and the slave labor of the
South rreprcs-be conflict must take place until
gives way to the other. There is analogy between
this party and any other, Federal, Republican, Wing
Democratic which ever sought the favor of the Ameri-
people All previous parties have been founded up
different views of common interests and the citizens
of every State in the Union have been more or les
equally ranged under their respective banners But this
party is composed exclusively with exceptions too nsg
nfcant to deserve remak Of the citizens Of the North
and its declared purpose is through the sheer force OF
numbers to maintain the institutions and build mp the
prosperity of the North at the expense of the South IL
faction in the worst and gravest sense of that term
nor could it be more perfectly described than in Nr.
MadisOns admirable definition. "a acuOn, says he i'm
the Federas lis number Of citizens, whether amount.
ing To a majority minority of the whole, who are
united and acuated by some impulse of passion
interest adverse to the rights of other citizens or
to the permanent and aggregate interests OF the
munity And he goes on TO prove that where the inn
pulse and the opportunity coincide las in this instance
under Constitution it now standS) from
its mschieEs is possible Now when party degenerates
into faction which must be fatal to liberty submission
ceases to be the duty Of ireemen.
But it is said this action of the people will be clothed
with the authority of constitutional FORMS That man has
read history little purpose, who does not know that
the worst despotsm may be worked with the machinery
of freedom The forms of the Roman Republic sur
yved the first Caesars. Even the coins of Nero were
stamped with the image Of Liberty. We shall have lost
even the love of independence when the empty pagean
try of free government shall compensate us for the ab
sence Of its living spirit 1t is the most dangerous fea
ture in the Seward policy that proposes to accomplish
its purposes through the agency of the Constitution As
the Constitution is interpreted, law which should
exclude the STAKEHOLDER from the Territories of the Union
would be null and void But how long would it take a
Black Republican President and Congress- by dividing
circuits where the actual condition of business is such as
to require additional judges and filing VACANCIES in the
present. court TO change its composition and give us de-
csons which should bring the exclusion of slavery from
the Territories its abolition in the District and the pro-
hbiton of the trade between the States within the range
of federal legislation. longer time must eapse before
the preponderance of the North would enable it through
an amendment of the Constitution to take into its own
hands the control of this whole subject of slavery but
sooner or later it will come and Mr. Seward in his ex
position of the "irrepressibc conflict" significantly al