, 1861-01-25

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ginning to look at the approaching troubles
regardless of party ties. They would like
some opportunity to occur by which they
could demonstrate TO the Southern States
their intention in the future, to repudiate
all sympathy with the avowed abolitionists.
If a fugitive negro should come to this
city to-day-the Jerry rescue city-the
people would rise, take the negro, and with
JOY and pride hand him over TO his South
ern owner, safely outside of the State.
They would rival any other locality in
demonstration of this kind, the feeling of
our people is worked up to such a pitch Of
excitement, that it would not be safe for
Fred. Douglass & Co. to advertise a meet
ing here, it would surely be broken up like
the one in Boston,"
repeat, a revolution in public opinion
is taking place ut the north. The atten.
tiOn Of men is being brought, as it was
never brought before, to the cruel injustice
and wrong of these wholesale denunciations
of southern men and southern institutions,
and to the denial to them of equal rights
under one constitution. No man now de-
nes that the South are laboring under
sense Of oppression, insult aud wrong.
They are the minority section, are outvOted
in both branches of Congress, and a sacred
regard to the guarantees of the constitu-
ton is the sole palladium of their safety
Let them be satisfied Of fraternal feel
ing on the part of the North, and its de-
termination to respect their rights, and ah
will yet be well. l feel the greatest conf.
dence we shall soon have ample evidence
of sense Of returning justice from the
northern people.
| will specially call your attention to the
following resolution Of Mr.. Larrabee Of
Wisconsin, now before the committee Of
SO:
Whereas, conflicting constructions Of
various claims in the Federal Constitution
have from time to time prevaied-some Of
the States claiming and others denying
certain powers of government 10 Congress:
And whereas, it is our duty, in times of
grave civil disorder, TO resort to the rene
dies provided within the Constitution:
And whereas, it is Of the last Importance
that in the event of final disagreement
between the several members of the con-
federacy, some amicabIe mode Of determ-
lining their future relations be ascertained:
therefore,
ResOlued By the Senate and House Of
Representatives. in Congress assembled, That
in pursuance of article five Of the Constitu-
tlon, it is recommended to the several States
that they shall, through their respective
Legislatures, request Congress to call a
convention Of the States for proposing
amendments to the Constitution, to the end
that the people Of the several States may
thus be enabled to confer together in the
manner provided in the establishment Of
the government, and adopt such measures
as in their wisdom, may be proper to pro-
mote the common welfare Of the States"
1t is feared that it will not be possible
to get through the two Houses Of Congress
by two-thirds vote, specific amendments
to the Constitution of q character to heal
the present troubles. But it is not appre-
hended there will be any special difficulty
in passing resolution through Congress
and through the several State Legislatures
like Larrabee's, providing for a convention.
No one is committed to any specific form
of amendment. 1t simply brings the mat
ter before the body Of the people in the
respective States. 1t entirely takes the
matter out Of the hands Of men who have
been elected or appointed to position, in
the heat and excitement Of the recent
canvass. You may be sure, when the ques-
tion is one Of perpetuPtion Of our once fra
ternal Union, the people will reject the un-
worthy leaders who have stirred mp sectional
strife to obtain power and place, and will
elect their most Union-loVing and conserv-
ative men.
The resignation of Gen. Cass, am sat-
isfed, is not altogether understood. That
the President will protect the public prop
erty and execute the laws, no one can doubt.
That he has troops in readiness to embark
at moments warning to succor the forts
in the event of their attack by South Car
olina, cannot be doubted But in the pres
ent excitement, it behooves the President
to proceed with the utmost caution. l do
not believe that the authorities Of Caro-
lima will make any attempt of the kind, or
resist the collecting Of the revenue, at least
till ample notice has been given. When
the case arises, will be the time for the
President to oct. That he will act deci-
sively, do not doubt. But the great pro-
blem TO be solved, is to vindicate the laws
without collision. The only hope Of recon-
cilation is in avoiding collision. Never
was wanted more the qualities of forbear-
ance and reconciliation in connexion with
those of decision and Of action.
There is exceeding gloom over the city.
The people ore restless and excited. The
most ridiculous rumors get currency. There
is q proneness to believe the most exagge-
rated statements, and yet it seems to me
the atmosphere is clearing of, and can see
the returning light.