The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-22
The Southern Confederacy--An Answer I

tie Charleston -iefcUry.
The Montgomery Post, published at the
seat of Government of the new Confeder-
acy, in reply to an article from the Charles
ten Mercury, on the subject OF the new Con-
stitution, says:
The Charlesto Mercury is known as an
able and influential jonrnal, and as far as
we have noticed, is the first to enter its pro-
test against the Provisional Constitution OF
the new government, and III assuming this
responsibility il would seem that prudence
has given place to passion, and that Judgment
has been superseded by an inordinate disposi-
ton for public notoriety. We presume that
NJ least nine tenths of the people of the Con
federate States endorse the action of our Con-
gress, and would if permitted to do So sane
ti0n with their votes the Constitution which
they have adopted as permanent as well as
n Pro yisional Constitu tlon and in opposing
its most important provisions, we apprehend
the NJ rcury will have the honor Of standing
alone in its glory.
We do not insist, however, that any indi-
yidual is under obligations to approve any
particular policy because others do: on the
contrary, we admire an independent thinker
and a will that dares TO act for itself, though
the whole world oppose. But this opposi-
tion. to entitla 1t 10 respectful considers tion,
must be based upon principle and dictated by
reason, neither OF which we think is express
ed in the factious opposition of the Mercury
TO the new Cons titution. So far as the Tariff
is concerned, after adopting the policy OF I'D
TN(DFtHL GAdtlOu Il DdtSiS VI ScukSe tIit ilu
position OF dutes upon imported articles Will
be regulated from time to time as circum-
stances may dictate and necessity require
This is matter of no material consequence
at present, since it is subject 10 future regu-
lation but il docs appear that he who urges
the policy of leaving the slavery question, or
any important department OF 1t, an open po-
litcal question, and making ii "a proper sub
iect OF legisation,'' has learned but little from
the past political history of the country upon
this subject
The grand mistake nnder the old Govern
ment was in leaving the slavery question an
open political Issue, and not Incorporating it
as an express constitutional provision. Po-
iitical questions can never be settled; they
are all the while subject to-agitation, and are
Thus made the food upon which political
demagogHeS least, and the substance upon
which they exist. The leaving of the slavery
question as it existed under the Government
of the United States, ga proper subject of
legislation" has served TO build up and break
down parties 10 distract and divide churches,
10 disturb the public peace, TO te throne politi-
cal virtue, ,demoraliZe the National Leg stature,
corrupt every department of the Government,
stimulate REBELLION, engender fanaticism, in
cite aggression, and finally subyert the great
Fundamental principles upon which our insti
tn tons were based.
And 10 this the policy that the Mercury de-
sires to inaugurate into the new Government,
by leaving the exciting subject OF the African
Slave Trade an open political issue and pro-
per subject of legislation! Already has this
subject been made the source OF political con-
iroyersy, and If left an open question, parties
will be organized upon IT, AMBITIOUS and DC,
signing demagogues will use IL as hobby
pom which TO ride into power, and through
their instrnmentaiity 1T will becomes a vital
issue, and be made the political test OF fidelity
TO the South and her institutions. But to
leave the principle entirely out OF the ues ton,
the great mass of the Southern people, us well
as all others, are adverse TO the policy OF re-
opening the African Slave Trade. Conse-
qnentiy we think the Congress has acted pru-
dent and wisely In thrusting ii from the politi-
cal arena and Incorporating it in the organic
law, and those who do not desire To inaugn-
rate the exciting scenes OF the past will appre
ciate their wisdom In this matter.
FxaALE TaAvIs.---A correspondent relates
20 me St. Louis Republican shooting exploit
OF y Mrs Hord, wife of Willis Hord. Eco. re-
siaiag near that city, which has gained her
iilucn hot0riety In the NJ .gh hborhood. Recent
~ four vi iidtnrkeys aiig tel In her ward where
hocA g lame turkeys we're feeding, and III
Uace es coalnsncen 50 war Of exterminatton upon
the N0tnRStir fowls which ~. ff.,s