The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1863-06-05

hence they We're most anxious to plrc,
slavery, the chief cause Of mischief, beyond
Their reach, That the danger existed. no,
only manifested itself, in the manner BIZ.
fore stated, but every propsiti"no offered in
The pace convention, whether by. Northern
or Southern delegates, disclnsed.it. .,f
l>t The nature of the seven amend
menis to the CONSTITUTIONS, reported by a
majority Of the Committee of which Mr..
Guthrie was chairman. implied it. i.,.f,
I'd. The minority report by Mr. Bald
win OF Connecticut, in terms almost, sta
ted it. The preamble of resolutions rs
commended by him said, Whereas, un-
happy differences exist which have alien
ted from each oth"r. portions of the PEG
pie Of the United States, to such an extent
y seriously to disturb the peace Of the ma.
tom
The principle of legal qualification, as
serted by Mr. Calhoun in 1928, in a care
fully ''r"pared paper which was made the
md 'tion of the multiplying ordinance OF
his State, of 1882. was maintained in part
# not mainly, on the authority of the
Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of
1888 The folly of the doctrine, its ut
ter inconsistency with the very words and
nhj"cts of the Constitution. were 81 obvi-
Gus that neither the intellectual acuteuess
with which its author supported it, nor
the Influence of his previously we'll earned
fame, nor the persuasive authority of the
great names of Jefferson and Madison,
could save it FROM almost universal con
demna'ion in every, State except that Of
its origin, and from the condemnation of
he purest, brightest, and ablest minds of
Carolina herself. One Of these, james L
Pettigru, hut recently taken from us, t.
the deep regret Of the nation, undismayed
by the intense treason and .franticvi ,lcnce
around him, safe from their danger by the
shield of his'spotl IS character, his stern
outrage and lofty patriotism, to the very
las:'of his stay upon earth, retained aud
boldly avowed his perfect loyalty to the
Government. Too wise to be led astray
by the shallow tallacies of,the Rhetts aud
the Yaucevs If the hour. and ton devoted
to the happiness IF his State and country
to take any other course, he chung to III
faith of our fathers, and buddy denounced
the treason to which these conspirators i'll
vited, aud by which they have. to their
ruin, led their deuded followers. i.,,j. .ai
The doctrine therefore soonn fell into
general .disrepute. and was finally. and to
the qualification of the country, extinguishr
I'D by the matchcss power and cluquenee
of Mr.. Webster, and the, stern patriotism
and indomitable will of Jackson. It wa.
demonstrated by Mr.. Madison himself,
whose min remained as clear as sunlight.
in several letters in 1881 2, to be utterly
nuteuable, and with no warrant either i'm
the resolutions of '98 8, or. in the report, :,
the work Of his pen, made in defence of
those of Virginia. This heresy exploded
the other kindred and as gross and moro
pernicious one of Secession was substitu-
ted. But this at first met with little fa-
vor. In fact it slept unheeded. A. por.
ton. however, of its votaries designed at
the first opportunity to make it work GER
tain mischief, aud for mischief only was il
suited, The tariff no longer furnishing
this opportunity, the plan WAS ''so fire
the Southern heart aud drive the South.
rru miud to naadness by slavery agitariun
The institution was so connected with
tteir domestic comfort, aud so vital, as
they thought, to their material wealth.
was nf such long and undisturbed stand:
lug and so clearly recognized and protect.
ed by the Constitution itself, aud had moi
only been the cause IF danger, but, the
/ source. as they believed, OF their prospari-
ty and political poger, add ,abuye all. its
sudden termiaation would in their judy.
ment.l be SO fruitful of even, tbe dirrst Ca
lamities, thata to appnmch lit with that
end, was sure to produce the sternest de-,
termination to resist the effort bit all bag
ards, apdito break, fif it, could not he 9TH
Irwise successfully accomplished, even
The ties of association, Of fraternal affec.
.ion and love of country bach, luntilaheb,
had been a universal national sentiments
and fountain educational power. ThplI
plntters on hoth sides, who had long wish
ed. aud. lhedita ted a destruction aof the
Union, for that purpose eagerly caught atl
every chance to lprescDt and fan into flame
this fruitful topic Of nisehiefss With, that
view these 10 thegSvuth, gpeatly exaggsra.
ed the prevalence of Notthrrn hi stilityyl
| whilst those ir she North did all ethey
could to aid them sWhetbeS.by arranged
mentor an.s they were in fact the lsliies
! Il each other. They worked fur thessaincd
lend and BY the as,eeu,eans- -slaoery ogi
ltatsonas 1tfPss tho conduct Of these com. |