Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Seoiht-ni Right* convention composed of deleftr* from the various Southern Right twiublrd At Montgomery on Toeedar. Nineteen Associations or Clubs were represented, and among the delegates we ik*ice the names of some of the ablest mra of oar sistrr State. The convention j hs met under the disadvantage of the presence of the small pox in that city, ru mor* of the extent of which are always ex aggerated abroad. Otherwise the conven tion trunk! have lieen much more full. It is oevenbeleesa highly respectable body, aad its deliberation cannot tail to do good I tube gn at cause *1 Southern Rights, in fmMin( organization for its defence and amasino tne public mind to a sense ol the j ril which threaten Southern Insti t triton*. Cot 7 komttta Hlttiama, was elected President <-f the Board and Nineteen Vice Prmdeats wen* appointed, one being se lected tor each association represented. * a able committee was appointed on Res ■Jaunns and n Address. C iii-x', (.'•frr-pomloio. Mobile, Feb. 1851. Mr lHr Sir: If I have not coutiuued regularly a currerpondencn which could not have tailed to result greatly to my ad vantage ia de valuable information to be derived I ruin it, be fully assured that the rmrnm ia not to be found in any abatement es ray real and intense solicitude in the cum which, as Southern born men, we have both mi much at heart. On the con trary, every intelligent and honest South ern man must have perceived, nv the ob aarvatioa and reflection of each succeed tag day, that the desperate condition to which the south hf* descended, calls alond upon her wins ia every section, if they hare aS abandoned the eouth to her fate, and surrendered at discretion to our enemies, le stand firmly at their posts, and resolved i“’ rescue the sinking ship; or gluriunsly perish ia the conflict At the same time truth and candor compel the admission, that the events which have occurred at the south since the adjournment of the 2d ses sion of the 31st Congress, have been too Wi ll calculated to discourage and depress oar hopes in the intelligence and ability af our people to vindicate and maintain their ngbts. This tendency, too, has been materially increased in the minds of the •outheru people by the conviction, be- CMMBg now more and more apparent eve ry day, that the south has been betrayed, hsr rights bartered away—her equality in tha Union basely surrendered—and her honor tkmmetessty compromised by her own sons; that she has *• nursed the pinions which impelled the steel.” We have ac customed ourselves to believe, that in a cot test physical, moral or intellectual with our “Northern Brethren” the south could sustain her rights; notonly because ran regarded our resources in these attri butes aa equal to our antagonists—“breth •a"a* they claim lobe, even to this day,— hat ba we believe we had right and truth •sd by consequence, God on our side, la ail our conflicts with the north, in de fence of our most vital interests, we have •over calculated the home element of rot taaacsa and treason, which, “like’a dead ly blight, comes over the counsels of the brave, and blasts them in their hour of SMght.” We hsve weighed the northern power ia a balance, and the southern pow er ia the same without dreaming of disaf fection, cowardice and treason, in our bo mub. Yet the appalling fact now starts aa ia the face at every turn in our walks, that ia tba south “a Roman is almost a stranger in Rome,” To be convinced of thw, you have only to select an intelli gent, warm hearted, and firm southern gentleman who has a proper appreciation of the questions at issue between the north mad the south, and follow him through the rtraets of some of our great southern cities, New Orleans or Mobile, ex. gr. and he scarcely meets the third inau in the streets of hi* acquaintance before he is auswered with derision and ridicule, if not scorn and eoatempt, to anv remarks’ he may make i indication of the seuthem cause. He ia taU bM he is tiuMury, and “endeavor tag to mislead the people —that the south has had mil she had a right to claim; that baa had a majority, largely, of the offi cers of tint government since its com mencement; that Mr Clay is a southern man, and says the honor of the south has ’feta saved ta the late “Omnibus Bills” ot and peace”; that these met mwi A aow the law of the land, and whowitl not submit to them is “a Traitor, aad deserves a Traitors doom” (asteg the slang ot Mr Clay, that southern ms. m the Senate as applied to Mr Rtertt,) ihas it ta, that before our South ami Rights friend has passed his third sal matiaa ia the streets of his own uative city of tha south, he is branded, and possibly too, by a lineal descendant of Bendic Arnold, as a traitor. He is then reduced in the alternative, ol stamping the mis. esaaat ta the dost, and calling upon bis devoted head a rabble always ready to execute the behests at some artful scoun drel who has wormed himself into the con- Ml cl ass; or. be emunlts his •■saannatron, hy suppressing his thoughts, and thus refining the poison of treason and disaffection to walk abroad in our error swo oppose and and unpunished. The rare!* et all is. then, that the south is over-1 ran sad rebdaed by a “malign influence,” foreign in every useful sense, to her insti mrions, her pence—her rights, and her retety. The influence is becoming more a *4 more daring aad intolerant day. as developments are made atthi “Unio’u festivals'” where the “stars and stripes,” she “glorious un*H” aad “Washington's farewell address” are administered by rrafeera am ton, as a specific for ail the ** ** “** e ‘•a abolition! ‘** *° S*t up a “Union Con- 1 It was, too. apparently mail timed, to. enn^ I ‘.‘National Union Party” which shall be organized to distribute the spoils of the Federal Treasury, fitted to repletion by southern labor and gullibility- The most deadly blow which has been dealt to Southern Rights and State Sov ereignty within the past twenty years, has been inflicted by the late Georgia conven tion. And in dealing that blow, is it not demonstrable too, that, paradoxical as it may appear, the union cause must finally suffer. For, I hold it to be a fixed prin ciple of our system, that the union cannot possibly long survive, unless the Federal system is kept within the plain limits of the constitution—and unless the majority which administer the system, adhere to the principles of justice and equality, in reference to the action ot the system upon the States. Indeed, if I were not quite as firmly fixed as I am in the truth oT Demo cratic principles, and consequently in the capacity of the people for self government the history of Georgia for the past year, would induce a doubt in my mind as to the soundness of that principle. Who that has noticed the course of that State in lines gone by could have believed that in a great crisis in the affairs of the south, when every southern State looked up to her to act up to the proud position which the occasion demanded, and to erect a platform (1 almost hate the words, as it has come to mean base submission to wrong) upon which the entire south would have rallied, and thereby saved the south and (he constitution ; that so far from this, the southern flag was ignobly and inglorious ly struck to abolition, and a preamble and resolutions adopted for its confessions and avoidings—wheelings k turnings to avoid plain conclusions; and political fanati cism is unparalleled in our annals. The actors in that farce may chuckle for a time in the farce they have enact ed in the face of the world, but I greatly miscalculate, if they are not finally called to a fearful account by the generation of men now upon the stage of action. The verdict ot posterity upon their conduct, it may be presumptious to anticipate, but canuot be uncertain. The moral effect of the results of the convention upon the southern cause has been risible and most lamentable. The people of the south had nearly resolved on assuming an attitude promptly and firmly, which would have secured their rights in the union, or their perfect independence out of it. Georgia faltered, and like a retreating regiment in a great battle, caused the entire southern army to pause. But let us not be dismay ed. Truth, right and justice must finally prevail. It is not possible to dim the spir it ofthe hosts of true and brave native southern men, who feel the wrongs the south has suffered, and have resolved to redress them. Men actuated by a spirit, which is sustained by a consciousness of pure atfd patriotic motives in a just cause, will not be long depressed in spirit, by the discovery that weak and treacherous men have betrayed our people, and surrendered to the enemy. It is not possible that the southern peo ple can ever be reconciled to the outrage ous aggressions upon their plain and ac knowledgt and rights, perpetrated by the last Congress, through a numerical ma jority, aided by a few southern traitors; who contaminated their fingers by base bribes in the way of hopes of federal offi ces and national destruction held out to them. Nor is it possible for an intelli gent and brave people to acquiesce and finally submit in silence, to these mon strous enormities! Even the magic name of union that ‘‘marked battery” of the re nowned modern Hamilcar, will not avail the enemies of our institutions in this war upon our social, political and personal rights. The day of retribution must come. It is in the very nature of things, as sure to come, as that the night succeeds the day; when the south will be forced into an armed resistance to vindicate and sus ain her rights. The elements composing the power against which we are contending, are of such a nature, as to forbid even the hope of escape from this alternative. It can not be evaded, nor compromised. The time will come when even a truce will be denied us. Shall we then, taking counsel from such apologies lor statesmen as Foote, Stephens, Toombs, Cobb and oth ors madly fold our arms in fancied securi ty, while we see the angry elements all in commotion around us, and hear the roaring of the thunders shortly to burst over our heads .’ Or, shall we deliberately, calmly and firmly prepare—in earnest, for a contest which is as sure to be forced up on us, as that we exist as a people. My voice is for an earnest, early, decided preparation by every southern State tor the *‘ ultima ratio”—for to that com plexion the affairs of our country have come ; and he who does not see this, must eituer shut her eyes to facts past, and facts daily transpiring, or he must be a mad man or a fool. , [From the Navanuah Georgian.] GEN. SCOTT AltD THE PRESIDENCY. The Pennsylvanian informs us th.it there is a well umHtied plan, devised by Seward. Weed, Greely &C<>. of N. York, Tliad, Stevens and Gov. Johnson of Penn sylvania, and others of the same stripe, to make General Scott next President of the United States. They think that by carry ing the anti-slavery vote he can sweep the entire north, and thus have to ask no fnv ors of the south. Hut to make this doub ly sure, it is proposed that the nominee lor the Y T ice Presidency shall likewise come from the north, and Gov Johnson is sug gested as the fortunate man. The Penn sylvanian says the proofs of this schen e are “overwhelming.” It asserts that no presidential candidate, who numbers a tnonghis supporters such boastful and bit ter foes of the south as Seward, Greely, Stevens, and Weed can ever hope lt>. get a ’Southern electoral vote. We would like to know upon what au thority .this opinion is advanced. What reason has the editor to believe that south ern whig* will not pull in harness with- Seward and Greely! Indeed what assur ance has he that they would not support Seward himself. Seward inrts uwer gone so far a* to advocate the abolition of slave ry in thejjfeetes. And every thing abort of that, for instance the abolition of slavery in the District and of infernal slave trade had received the support of Fillmore long before 184$, and we all know how ardent ly southern whigs supported him then.— Perhaps they have repented of the past, and will do better a future ; but we con fess that we have no evidence of the fact. >We would guard our friend of the Penn sykenlian against expecting toe much from southern whig hostility to aati-siavery.— Whatever he may think, Get*. Scott, if no* V ®fh<g National Convention, j whig politicians! >AaoDI ASD Svppßoscit Witt visisl Charleston at the latter part gj the month, and give two concerts, Columbus, Ga. Sunday Morning, Feb. 16, 1851. DEATH OF JUDGE ALEXANDER. It is our painful duty to announce the death of the Hon. Robert B. Alexander, who expired at his residence in this city on Friday evening last at 7 o’clock. Judge Alexander has departed this life, in the bloom of manhood and in the full developement of the intellectual, and the many amiable and moral qualities which adorned his life. He was but 39 years of age. Born in Putnam county, he was edu cated at the University of Georgia, read his profession with the late Win. H Tor rence, Esq. and was a citizen ofColumbus for the last 15 years. Asa man of intel lect, and as a lawyer lie ranked high among his professional brethren. The Legislature of Georgia testified its confi dence in his ability and learning by elect ing him Judge of the Superior* Court, of the Chattahoochee Circuit, a position which he held with credit and honor until within a short time previous to his death. In his decease, this community has lost one of its most estimable and eminent citizens—his family and friends a bereavement which earth cannot repair. The funeral services will take place this day atlOj o’clock, A. M. at his residence. THE COLORED RACE IN INDIANA. The hypocrisy of northern negrophilism meets with daily illustrations in the treat ment which the Free Blacks receives at northern hands. The foundation of their system ot warfare on the south is, that “all men are born free and equal”—that color should make no distinction in the enjoy ment of civil, political and social rights; and that the Black Race is entitled by the law of God and of humanity to instant emancipation, and an admission to equali ty with the whites in the blessings of Free Government. But the trouble with these philanthropists is, that they stop short in the application of their theory, the mo ment its practical hearings are to be ap plied to themselves; and are only full ot zeal when they artUo affect the south. — Thus a fugitive slave is fostered and pet ted, helped on his way and lionized by these agitators, while the northern Free Black is left to pine and suffer in squalor vice and ignorance, in the b itter degrada tion to which white antipathy to his caste consigns him. Not long ago a con.stitu tional convention of Ohio was petitioned to banish all the colored people from the confines of that abolition State. They were regarded as an intolerable ruisisaiicc —yet the policy of the people of that State, and its active benevolence are constantly exerted to encourage runaways from southern masters to come among them. We have now another casein point. On the 24th of January, as we learn from the proceedings in the Indiana State Sentinel, the Constitutional Reform Convention of Indiana concluded their action in regard to the free negroes ofthat State as follows : The first section, providing that no ne gro or mulatto shall come into.or settle in this State alter the adoption of this Consti tution, was adopted by a vote ot yeas 94, nays 39. The second section, providing that all ‘contractsimade with negroes and mulat oes coming into this State, contrary to the provisions of the first section ot this article, shall be void; and all persons who shall employ or otherwise encourage such negroes or mulattocs to remain in this Slate, shall be fined in any sum not less than ten, nor more than five hundred dollars,” was adopted by a vote of 78 yeas, nays 59. The third section, providing that “all fines collected for the violation of this article, or which may be imposed by the Legislature to carry it out, shall be appro priated tor colonization purposes” was adopted ; yeas 106, nays 33. The fourth and fifth sections providing that the Legislature shall pass laws to car ry out tile action of the Convention in re gard to tree negroes, and that the article shall be submitted to a separate vote of the people, were then adopted—the last by a vote ol ayes 82, nays 54. REMINISCENCES In the year 1832, the spirit ofßesislance to the Tariff ot 1823- the “bill of abomi nations”—was burning to a white heat in Georgia. “F.re-eating” was at a prem ium, and to read the speeches and let'ers and toasts of the anti-Tariff party ofthat day, one would have supposed that the Union would -tot last a week, and that submission in Georgia was one of the na tural impossibilities In August of that year a great Anti-Tar iff'meeting was held in Oglethorpe. The following were some of the volunteer toasts on that occasion. The regulars were to the full as strong and peppery. VOLUNTEER TOASTS. Bv M r Toombs, • f Wilkes: The Tariff’ System. Whether it he constitutional or not, it violates the adhesive rights of South ern freemen. If constitutional, let our op pressors remember, that when revolution commences, constitutions end ; and that h e exactions of a British Parliament were met by unsheathed swords ol American Patriots. By C. J. Jenkins, of Richmond* The Union—Formed to be valuable; why should not its value be calculated ! By Col Win. C. Dawson, of Greene. — The'friends ofthe Tariff. In tiuth and in candor we tell them, now, our iuruearance is ended; the arguments of conciliation and modification have been exhausted. Do you think Georgia will submit l Rather think the spirit of’76 never existed. By Judge Dougherty, of Clarke. Resis tance. to oppression, from any and every quarter, at any and every hazard. By James S. Calhoun, of Mill* dgeville. Freedom’s Banner is again unfurled —one effort more—Georgians, onward .’—relax not your energies, until Justice shall re sume her place, and your violated federal constitution bo restored to its original purity.” Girard Railroad.— The Mobile Regis ter of the 11th inst. says: We are pleased to learn that the commissioners lor ob taining subscriptions to the capital stock of their noble enterprise, have succeeded beyond their expectation, in NewOrleatts After only three day’s effort, they receiv ed actual subscriptions to the amount of 9200,000,*nd satisfactory assurances that that city will do ail that is desired from her. Slate&y in Maryland. —The Maryland convention for framing anew constitution, has adopted unanimously, an article v that the legislature shall not pass any law to abolish ur change the relation of master and slave as it now exists in that State.— The cormmttdfe has been in session three months, and this is the first article that has been adopted. o£jm?The Albany Knickerbocker says Dr J. C. Ayer, proprietor ot “Ayer’s Cher ry Sectoral,” has just been elected Mayor of Lowell, Mass. If he makes as good a Mayor as he does a medicine, the muni cipal affairs of Lowell will be kept in a health#! condition during his term oi of- Washington’s Birthday.— The N York Courjer says:—The Board of aldermen adopted a resolution last evening appro- < printing 825,000 to defray expenses at tending the celebration of the birthday of the immortal Washington. A Rich Miser in Auburn, New York, is to be buried in 0 wasco Lake, a beautiful sheet of water near that town. He has a stone coffin made, which takes twelve yoke of oxen to draw it. He gives a man a nice farm for burying him. He is to take him into the middle of the lake and sink him. [From ibe N. Y. Ulole.] STATE NON-INTEEC3TI-.E LAWS AND THE DOMESTIC SLAVS TRADE. Much has been said in the south by statesmen, who, with laudable intentions, have de sired to arrest the Anti-Slavery agitation at the north—concerning the power of certain Stotes to tax the products of other States. Much has been said like wise in the Abolition papers in favor of Congress interposing to stop the migrntior of slaves from one southern State to anoth er. It has bet n taken for granted at the north, that any Law of a southern State, imposing a duty or tax on an article the growth or manufacture,of a northern State would be a palpable violation of the Consti tution. It has also buen generafy sup posed that Congress lias lull power, under the clause in the Constitution conferring upon it the power to regulate Commerce, to inhabit the trade in slaves between the seveinl Slates. In relation to Stale Laws taxing products from other States, we have heretofore intimated some doubt as to Ahe [lower ofthe States to pass such Laws.— Having rerenffy looked into some deci i sinus ofthe Supreme Court of ihe United States, involving the principle of such L-nvs, we are free to declare, that as far as we have examined the subject, that high judiciary Jins fully and repeatedly’ recog nized the principle upon which such laws are founded. The Supreme Court has likewise expressed opinions respecting the reset ved rights of ihe States, totally incom patible with the exercise on the part of Congress of any power to interdict the Do mestic Slave Trade. ‘1 lie southern S.alcs, according to the opinions given below,Jiave a perfect right to tax every sort of properly which maybe found within their limits. They thus have the means of retaliating to their hearts con. tent on those States, which make war on southern right and property. That this conservative right will be exercised, un less some intuits are derised at lhe uo r lb t restrain the aggressions of the Anti-Sla very agitators, we do noi doubt. Instead of cotnpiaini..g ot its exercise for such purposes, all true Inends ol the Union should rejoice that a right so ample and efficient exists, superceding in almost ev ery conceivable case of aggression a resort in secession or revolution, as a remedy for intolerable grievanses inflicted by one por tions ol the confederacy on another. * The rights ofthe Stales to tax proper.ty. and persons and to prevent the ingress of persons into their limits, were treated very 1 u I ly by those Judges ol the Supreme Court, who delivered their opinions in 1818, on the cases of Smith vs. Turner and Norris vs. City ol Liston. Tne Judges assenting and dissenting from the decision of the Court in those cases, appear to have all concurred in the principles avowed hi the following extracts: Judge Catron . aid : It is *lso iiihifdpi! that the Stales m.iv ‘ax all per sons and property within llieir respective juristic., lions, except in cases where they aie affirmatively prohibited. ‘J his is a truism not open to denial. Chief Justice Taney said: But it has always been held that Ihe power to regulate commerce docs not givo to Congress the power to tax il, nor prohibit the Slates from taxing it in their own poit, and within (neir own juris diction. The grant of the power to regulate commerce, therefore, did not, in the opinion ol Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Jay, prohibit ibe Slate-from laying imposts and duties upon imports I rought in to their own territories. It did nit apply to the right of taxation in either sovereignty the taxing power being a distinct and separate power from the regulation of commoree, and the right of tax ation in tile Slates remaining over every subject where it before existed, with the exception only of those expressly prohibited. I conclude the sulijec* hv quoting the language of Chief Justice Marshall in the case of Hill togs vs. the Providence IJank, in t Pet SGI, where, speaking upon this subject, he ->nyn: “ Thai the taxing powci is of vital importance ; that it is essential to the existence of government, a e truths which it cannot he necessary tore-affirm. They are acknowledged and assented to hv all. It would seem that the relinquishment of such a power is never to he assumed. We wib not say that a State mav not relinquish it ; that a consid c ation sufficiently valuable to induce a partial re lease of it may nil exist ; hot as the whole con uiiinity is interested in retaining it uiidiminishcJ, that community has a right to insist that its aban donment ought not to be presumed in a ease in which the deliberate purpose of the Stale to aban don i does not appear.” Sut li Inis heretofore been the language of this cunt, and I can see nothing in the powei granted to Congiess to regulate commerce that shows a de delihewilo purpose on the part of the States who adopted tlie constitution to abandon any right ol taxation except what is dir. cily prohibited. The contrary appears in the authentic puhlieations ol the time. Judge Woodbury said: ‘On the extent of the cession of taxation to the general government, and its r strict ion on the States, in-re will he presented hereafter; hut in ull cases of doubt, the leaning may well be towards the Slates, as the geneial government has ample means ordinarily by taxing imports, and the Stales limited means, afier purling with that great and vastly increased source of revenue connected with irn|M>-ts. The Slates may therefore, and do frequently, tax everything hut expons, iinpmts, and tonnage, as such. They daily tax things cor neetcil with for eign commerce, as domestic trade. They can tax the timber, cordage, and iron of which the vessels for foreign trade aie made; tax their cargoes to the owners as stuck in trade; lax the vessels as [imp* erty, and tax the owners and crew per head for their poll*. Their power in this respect travels over water as well as laud, if only within their lorrito rial limits. It lihk ln-en conceded liy moist American juii.-tn, and, indeed, may he regarded kh aeltlcd by tins Court, that this concurrent power t,f taxation, cx ce|>i,oti expo-tv, and impoit-r and tonnage, (tire two la.t specially and exclusively resigned to the gener.il governtnen,) hi< vital to the States, ami still clearly ex<s's> in gem. In support of this may ire seen the following authorities: McCulloch vs Maryland, 4 Wheaton, 317. 415; Gibbons vs Og den, 9 Wheat., l;by Chief Justice Marshall; Prov Hank vs Billings, 4 Peters, 561; Brown us Mary land, 13 Wheaton, 441; 4 Gill and Johnson, 132; 2 Story’s Comm, on Const., 437 sec.; 5 Howard, 588, case of Charleston city, 2 Pete.s, 448; ?io, 42 Federalist. But the power of the State is manifestly as great in a harbor within her limits to tax men and property as it is on shore; and cau no more he abu sed there than on shore; and can no more conflict there than on shore, with any authority of Con gress as a taxing power not on imports as imports. Thus, after emigrants have landed, and are on the wharves, nr on public roads, or in the public hotels, or in private dwelling-houses, they could all be taxed, though with less ease; and they could •11, if the State so disposed to abuse the power, be taxed out of their limits, as quickly and effectually s have been the Jews at times formerly in sever ai of the most enlightened nations of modern Eu rope. Judge Nelson said: Jt is urged, ftowevet, in reply to what has jus been said, that as the power to regalate commerce and the right to levy taxes, are distinct and sub stantive powers, that the first cannot be used to limit the right of the State to tax, beyond the pjohi bition upon them net to tax exports or imports. - Tba -proposition is rightly stated. It is clear from the foregoing opinions, that the Supreme Court of the United States will sustain the unlimited right of the States, to tax all commodities within their respective jurisdictions, whetherthey be of foreign production, imported by ano ther State, and subsequently brought into the State taxing them, or whether they be products fabricated or produced in anoth er State. As such taxation will be borne by the consumers, there is pn danger of any State resorting to it,except in self-de fence. In relation to any power in Congwgs, to ’ admit or preclude from into the j. States, any persons, judge Woodbury says: * • It would be not a little extraordinary to imply i by construction, a power in Congress, to prohib ; it the coming into the States of others thap slaves i or of mere aliens, on the oftbe alien part of “the alien and sedition laws,” though it never has been exercised as to others permanently; but ! the 3ta‘es recommended to exercise it, and seven : teen ofthem are now actually doing it. And equal . ly extraordinary to imply, at this late day, not on j ly that Congress possesses the power, but that, I though not exercising it, the States are incapable of j exercising it concurrently, or even in subordination ; to Congress, But beyond this, the States have ! occupied it concurrently as to slaves, no less than j exclusively in respect to certain free persons, since | as well as before 1808; and this, as to their ad- I mission from neighboring States, no less than from i abroad. )See cases before cited, and Butler vs !’ Hoffer, l Wash. O. C. 500.) The power of the State in prohibiting, rests on a sovereign right to regulate who shall be her in* hahilants —a right more vital than that U* regulate commerce by the general G ivewmcnt, and which as independent or concurrent the latter has not disturbed, and should not disturb. (15 Piters, 506 and 608.) Judge Nelson said : In the first place, let it be understood, that what ever [ may say upon the power which Congress has “to regulate commerce with foreign i.ations onil among the several States, and with the the In dian tribes,’’ that the internal fade of a Slate is not mean', to lie included; that not being in any way within the regulating power of Congress, All the polical sovereignty of the United States, within the States, must he exercised according to the subject-matter up. n which it may lie brought to hear, an 1 according to what was the actual con dition of (he States in their domestic institutions when the Constitution was formed, uotila Slate shall please to alter them. When the Constitution was formed, it was done by Sta es in which slavery existed—not likely to tie relinquished; and>ofother States in which slavery has been, hut where it hud abolished; or for the prospective abolition of which provision hod been made by laws. The undistur bed continuance of that difference lielween the Slates at that time, unless as it might be changed by a State itself, was the recognised condition in the Constitution for the national Union. It has that, and can have no other foundation. We commend to nil Abolition nnd Anti- Slavery agitators the above extracts. They wiil perceive from them that the south have within their own ban Is a terrible weapon ol punishment for those who per sist in fanatic aggression on their rights and property. The south, hymeans of its tax ing power, can touch the pocket of every Abolitionist of the north. The Abolitionist may see likewise from the opinions which we have quoted above, that their agitation to abolish the Slave trade between southern States, is a hope . less task. That even if Congress were to pass an act for its abolition, that the Su preme Court would pronounce suclt act unconstitutional and void. The Slates have reserved to themselves ('except in the case of slaves imported from foreign parts) the right to admit or exclude who soever they may so determine to receive or reject. [Final the Savannah Georgian.] THE TARIFF -IRON. The duty on imported iron, or in other wools, the tax which lie who buys iron brp.ugbt from abroad has to pay to our mild and paternal Government, is 31) per cent. Add to this 30 percent, more, the estima ted cost of importation, and we have in round numbers (iO per cent, as the “pro tection” which the iron interest in the United Slates now enjoys. With this im mense advantage over those who attempt to compete with them from abroad, one would think the Pennsylvanians ought to be content. Far from it. They have tile “modest sssnranee” to ask Congress to in. crease ilia tax from 30 to 40 per cent.— Nor is this all. With the hostility to open fair, Honest dealing, which has ever char acterized these high tariff exactors, they ask that the rate of duty may be assessed, not on the present and current value of ir on, hut upon its average valuation for the last ten years. 1 hey well know that, on account of the railroad speculations, the average price of iron during that time is far greater than its present cost. The pro posed increase of doty, therefore, instead ofbeing ten per cent., making in a l l a tax of forty per cent,, ill probably be twenty or thirty per cent., making a tax of from hlty to sixty per cent, on this, one of the prime necessaries of life. m The average cost of iron rails, says Mr- Kettell, the commercial correspondent of the Uni n, this and the last year, has been §4O 17 per ton. By the proposed increase of duty, the price will he SOS 60 per ton —an increase of something more than $25 per ton. The immense demand for iron for the purposes of the various and very extensive railroad enterprises of this State, makes any increase of its price, by augmentation ol the duty, a matter of no little concern to all our citizens. We shall,therefore, look wi'h some interest to the vote of our con gressional delegation when this matter shall he brought before them. We wish to see who of them are willing in aid the north in her schemes of further aggres sions and aggrandizement. New York Senatorial Election.— The Legislature of New York failed to elect a Senator on the day set apart for thai purpose. Hamilton Fish, though receiv ing thirty majority in the House, failed to obtain a majority in the Senate. One whig Senator, Janies W. Beckmann, of New York city,refused to vote for him, thus de feating, for the time, the election of the Seward candidate. Nearly all the other “Silver Grays,” as we conjectured that they would do, have repeated the Utica Farce, nod come into the support of the “Woolly Head” nominee. Is any other evidence needed of the complete ascen dency of the Sewardism in New York.— More than this—The Commercial Adver tiser positively asserts that Fillmore and his Cabinet are in favor jof Fish, which shows that Sewntd’s influence with the Administration is scarcely Weaker than that which he wields over his pariy at home. Another sign—Senator Dickinson failed even to receive a nomination from his own parly, though an eflort was made to nomi nate him. More than half the Democrats in the House voted for that noted Free Soiler, John A. Dix. These facts speak for themselves.—f&io Georgian. Rhode Island Senator. — We intima ted the presumption yesterday that the election of Gen. James was brought about by another coalition between Free Soilers and Democrats. It is gratifying to find that such is not the fact. He received the voie of fourteen Whigs which secured his success. The result has thrown the Pro vidence Journal, f Whig organ) into quite a flutter of excitement. But as the vote was by ballot it is not unknown who were the bolters. Nearly two thirds of the members of the Legislature are whips.— The difficulty in the way of choosing a Whig seems to have grown out of the old free suffrage, Dorr agitation.—[Saw Geor gian. Silver Grays and Woolly Heads.— The Wfsg caucus at Albany, N. Y., has nominated ex-Governor Fish, as candidate for the Senate in place of Mr. Dickinson. The caucus was composed of 67 members, leaving about thirty who stood aloof. The Seward wing, or“\Vool!y Heads,”as their opponents call them, were unanimous for Fish. The “Nationals” or “Silver Grays,” as they call themselves refused to attend* the caucus; —it is not quite certain howev er, alter their last summer’s Utica farce, that they will not support the nominee.— Indeed one of theirown organs, the Com merual Advertiser.is imploring them to do sc. It is clear that Seward’s power is ab solute over his party in his own State.—■ The “Nationals” will have either to sub mit to him, or quit the Whigs and make common cause with the Hunkers. They Will probably do the /uriuejr.—[76. Ohio. —We have a private letter from Columbus dated the 31st ult.—the day af ter the attempt to electa U. S. Senator. Noappioach was made to an election. In deed, neither Mr. Griswold nor Mr. Paine obtained the full vote of his own party ex. cept on single ballot. It is considered mor ally certain that neither of the original can didates can be elected, and probable that no one will he at this Session. No chance for any but a decided and qpen opponent of Slavery Extension,now or ever.” — N. Y. Tribune. Sure enough the Legislature has adjourn ed without electing a Senator, The reason ofahe failure to choose is that though the candidates of the two parties were doubt less anti-slavery men they were not suffi ciently thorough-going in their abolition purpo.es. So will it be seen that the Em pire State o f the North and the Empire State of the West stand side by side in support ol Flee Soil principles, while the Empiie State of the South is—what is he doing ? We would raliter not be- called to answer.— Suv Georgian. Speak it out neighbor ,Georgia is “ac quiescing ” —[Ed. Times The Potomac river was closed hv ice on Friday weeklost—the firstlime'thisseason. The steamboat which plies between Alex andria and Washington, was unable to make her regular trips. Death of the Wire Walker—The following telegraphic despatch in the Pic ayune, aun ainces the death of the daring individual, who a lew weekssince perform ed the remarkable feat of walking a wire across our public square, in the presence of a great number .of citizens: Baton Rouge, Feb 4 Herr Ryninger, the c< lebrated wire walker, was killed at this place about 4 o’clock this evening. While walking a wire from the State House, one of the sup ports gave way, by which the wire was let down, and the unfortunate man was precipitated to the ground. ‘The fall frac Hired bis skull, and he died in about forty minutes after the occurrence of the acci dent. His wife was present at the time. An account in the Crescent gives a few more circumstances of the occurrence. It says: His perilous feat was announced, • and a large number of persons assembled to witness it. He started on his perilous walk at a’greal height,and commenced de scending but before he reached the first cross-tree, the framework broke, letting the wire down six or eight feet. Asa matter of course, lie lost his balance and fell to the ground, sustaining such injuries that he died in about forty minutes.— Mobile Reg ister. BLITZ IN AN OMNIBUS A night or two since, Blitz, the renown ed magician and ventriloquist, took a sent in n omnibus, containing seven or eight .passengers. The coach had only proceed ed a couple of squares! when the driver heard someone exclaim— “ Hold up—hold up, l say!” The horses were slopped, and John looked around smilingly lor his passenger, but none appeared. Wnil an immodest ex clamation lie gathered up his reins and said “get up”—Pretty-soon someone cri ed out — ‘‘Stop, driver, stop!” The driver again stopped, and looking down into the coach, inquired whit was wanting. The passengers eyed each other, as much as to say, “I didn’t speak.” Again the coach ndled on only to be stopped at the next corner by the heart rending squeaking of a poor run-over pig* Instantly each head was thrust out of the window ,to behold the death-struggles of the grunter; but no grunter was to be seen. In another minute someone exclaimed in a gru.? - voice— “ Keep off my toes!” Every one looked around, but vain for the man with the damaged toes. The passengers were completely !ewildered._ At the next crossing the coach stopped to take in a lady. Hardly had she taken her seat’ before she exclaimed— “ Let me he—keep your hands off me!” The gentleman seated next to her, said, very inmxenlly— “l didn’t touch you, madam?” And the driver looking down shouted, ‘Look-a-bere, in there; ifyou’re gentle men, I’d thank you not to take improper liberties vvitli the lady passengers —it wont do!” The lady made an observation, as the coach rolled on, but she was not under stood. They had scarcely gone a square further, when tho passengers were start led by the cries of an infant. Instantly all eyes were fixed upon a middle-aged gentleman, who had a carpet-bag on his lap. The man blushed, and stammered out a barely intelligible.— “What the deuce is all this about?’’ “Let me out!” screamed a lady. “Murder!” shouted a boy on the steps,, while three <r four tugged lustily at the strap. “What is the matter in there?” inquired the driver. “Matter enough” replied a gentleman, “lake my fare out of this quarter.” Keep your hand out of my pocket,” pro ceeded from someone. “Did you addnss me, sir ?” asked an other. “I didn’t speak at all,” gravely replied the man with the quarter. “Because, sir, no one shall, with impuni ty, accuse ” Again the baby was heard to cry. “Shame !” cried 50... e one. ‘Who would have believed it? remark ed another, while a’third [Blitz of course) shook the omnibus with a horse-laugh. Thinking lie Had foil enough, the ventril oquist paid his fare and jumped out of the omnibus.—Scarcely liadjie reached the side-walk, however, before the driver heard the words “hold up!” from fourquar ters ui as many seconds, but not a pnssen ger could lie discern. Filled with won der, lie hurried on his way. Blitz is a great fello-.v.— Philadelphia City Item. A Compliment. —The Washington Un ion in commenting on one of our articles, is pleased to introduce us to its readers as a “most determined southern ultra.” In these days of truckling politicians and re creant editors, of vent ions and Washington Compromises, it is no small praise to be called a southern “ultra,” and a determined one at that.’ To be ‘ ultra” in defence of the rights of one’s country, was not esteemed a crime in ’76, and true patriots will hardly consider it so now.— Mr. Ritchie does us honor over much.— We are now but heaven be praised, not a submissioiiisl.— [Spirit of the Sooth: . , , Horrible Affair. —A gentleman re cently from Holmes county, Miss., has de tailed to us the particulars of a dreadful scene, which occurred a few days since near Lexington in that county. An en gagement had existed for some time be tween a Mr. Tate and Miss Shepperd in the Harien Creek district, in that county, to which however, the fatherof the young lady refused his consent. The youngv couple had agreed to run away for thy puspose of getting mariied and for th/t purpose were to start from a wedding n ty heidin the neighborhood. We not heard what intervened to excite’ the youngs man’s passions. He met ladv as arranged, at the party, and/asked her publicly whether she was jtady to felfill her promise and go with and on her declining, he drew a pistol./shot her dead in the room, and attempts/ todestroy himself, but in this was frustr/ed, and is now in Lexington jail oq charge of murder. / / Washington, Feb 9,*5851 Gen Sam Houston says here that he knows South Carolina will submit. To some the scornful estimate of such a man may si-em a matter of moment: hut fresh as lie is from that bargain in which a part of his own state was traded away to the North for money, arid the power ot the South in the Senate irrecoverably lost by theadmission of California, He can hardly be a good judge of what a brave and high minded people will do. He says also that he lasthe byst chance for the Presidency; and in his he may be riglu; lor such a Government ought to have just such a man to preside o ’er it. He a tied to despoil the South, and if she is weak enough to submit to the robbery, why not finish by submitting to him also? Houston’s chanc es are, however, sadly darkened by his being a Demofrat, at least in name. This party is doomed, North and South. In Massachusetts it has coalesced with the Abolitionists, and in New York it has ta ken as its candidaieior the Senate, Mr Dix, a man thoroughly identified with the Van Buren party. Between the Sewardite Mr. Fish, and the Van Burenite, Mr Dix, there is indeed no difference so far ns the South is concerned. What sort of a Dem ocratic party can be made out of such stuff? On the other hand, at the South, the poor Democrats who have been shouting for the Union and the party, are, by these events reduced to the last extremity. Their Northern allies, for whose sake they de serted the cause of their constituents, have now thrown them aside, for the Fresoil ers. Where can these Southern Unionists take refuge ? A distinguished general officer from Lousiana, who has seen some service writes to a member of Congress here, that the on ly hope of the South is in South Caroli na—nad that if she secedes, arid the General Government shall attempt to co erce her, thirty thousand men from the Southwest will march to her defence and the defence of the rights of the South, at their own charge and expense. You may rely on this, although lam not liberty to mention names. Every gallant spirit of the South is watching the course of your Slate with eager hopr and interest. I give you this as a set off to Gen Sam. Hi us ton’s derisive judgment of your future course. Gen Hamilton is here, still after the Texas Bonds. Another General from your own Slate is also here, afier some thing of thtj same kind, it is said. He is cal ed Thompson—Wnddy Thompson, I, believe, —a small man, and very brisk a bout the lobbies of the House and Sen ate. Winter at Last. — Any one would ’have supposed that Winter had gome at last, if he half vTsilefNfcrUattery this iftow ing. A large field of ice drifted down the North River and lodged between the Gov ernor’s Island and the Battery, completely stopping up the channel to the East River’ and compelling vessels to golhrough But termilk channel. A small sloop ran into the ice and 3 of her crew walked to Whitehall. Both the North and East rivers are vi ty ful 1 of drift ing ice. II we cannot have ice of domes tic manufacture, our neighbors up the river seem to he very willing to send some down. P. S.—Since wrung the above our news collector informs us that the ice has parted bv the force of the flood tide and has drifted into the East river.— N Y Corn’ Adv. 7th inst. E3** The Hon, D. S. Kaufman of Trx asVhosedeath has been announced by the telegraph, appears to have died very sud denly. He left the House about three o’clock, oil the 31st. apparently in fine ro bust health, and at bve was a corpse. The cause was pronounced to have been an affection of the heart, but the Union inti mates that it was an effect of n bullet which penetrated his right side. His wife and family were with him at bis last moments. He was born Cumberland county, Penn, in 1813; gradim . and at Princeton in 1833; shortly after removed to Natchez, and read law with Gen Quitman ; in 1837 emigra ted to Texas, and the year after was elect ed to her Congress, of which two sessions lit became Speaker. He was one of the ablest advocates of annexation. In 1845, he was sent as Charge to the United States which office he held at her admission into the Union. He was then chosen a Rep resentative in Congress, which he retain ed until his death. Gen, Rusk in the Senate and Messrs. Howard, Morse, Mc- Lanahan, and McClernard, in the House paid warm tributes to the memory of the deceased. THE ATLANTIC. A gentleman of this city who has friends ;n board the Atlantic, has just returned from a visit to New York made with the especial object of ascertaining from the owners, the probabilities in regard to her safety. We a:e enabled to lay before our readers, briefly, the information thus ob. tained, and we have no doubt it will ma terially allay the general anxiety. It is not generally known that, some time since, the steamer Arctic, of the Collins lir.e took fire during a voyage, and was in some danger for a time. In view of this whenthe Atlantic sailed from New York, tile last lime, Capt. West had the whole of the fire apparatus thoroughly overhauled and put into the most perfect order. It is also the ordinary custom to try this apparatus eve ry day, so that it may be always in good condition. Tins renders the destrm lion of the ship by fire almost impossible.— Another fact of importance is. Unit the ship, when she sailed from Liverpool, was provisioned for ninety days, wh.ch removes all fear of a lack of provisions.— Another piece of information was obtained from an experienced sea captain of Boston, who is familiar with ihe Azores to which Islands the Atlantic is generally supposed to have gone. It is that,although there is abundance of coal there, yet the mode of coaling—by means of lighters—is so te dious, that it would require ten or twelve days for such a ship as the Atlantic to take on board a sufficient supply io bring lieu to New York, Huv ng obtained her c.ivY, the Atlantic would nmst probably, saika'- rectly for New York, and we coul/ not have not heard of her by the CaonJu nnd, probably cannot hear of her by Africa, due next week, It is most ry®" na ble to suppose that the Atlantic wi/rt-’JRprt lier selfat New York, before sj/ ,s beard of from Liverpool, and all the delay at the Azores/ r from an acci dent to her engine, sli/" ,a y not arrive for some time to come.- /Phita Bulletin,!Ill inst, / Death of H/rack Everett.— The Hon H. Everett/fyo at his residence, Windsor Vt., onthew f - alter anilines of 10 days in the Wears of his age. He was one of the >lest members <l the Vermont bar, and ft 14 consecutive years represented thedistrict in which h< resided in the Gj/gress of the United States. / * / E3T Another steamboat disaster has oc curred on the Mississippi. On Sunday morning last about 5 o’clock thd steamer Autocrat came in collision wiih tfce steam er Magnolia at a woodyard near Bayou Goula,one hundred miles above ‘New Or leans, and was so badly injured Ihat she immediately sunk and became a total loss. She was bound !o Memphis heavly laden, with a large number of passengewmost of whom were asleepat the time. Tie iium lost is not exactly known, but the fdtlewing are mentioned. Capt. Grant or Toinesee, Jas. FurgcTSon of Nashville Tennt and I i child; A Goodyear 3d engineer; 5 Ulored firemen* and a colored poripr of the boat# It is thought f.om 20 to 30 persons wer# drowned. Distressing.—We regret to learn, (say* the Macon Tribune of Bth inst.) that Mrs Swinden and her four children were bnrnl to death ih their dwelling house, which ) was consumed by fire in Vinevilie, near this city, last night. Her husband died about a month ago. When the fire was discovered the building was nearly con sumed, and we have been unable to as certain how it originated. Thus a whole family has perished within a month. TELEGRAPHIC. [Tcl'graphed for tbs Charleston Courier.] Baltiroms, Feb a. Miscellaneous. —The Georgia arrived tu-d*y with 350 passengers and 800.000 dollar* in gM Gr. Cass has* been re-elected Senator Irani Michigan. Baltimore, Feb The steam’ r Ear;'ire City, ui rived at New to-rlav, with two bundled and ten one mni*.>ii in gold. * Atiilajl Jfaui m B A LT I/OR'Xe#/, H i Adam*’ Express ear liotn burnt last night, am) four tlnst-ond dollar* worth of guilds destroyed. Nothing baa been hee'd yet 6ie sfeamer At lantic. [Teleg-raplyd lor th.i Ulniilrstnn Mercury.) additional by the Canada. Wasnisgtox. Feb. *. Thq/fbllowing are the latest jaJyiccs received by thpGnneda. At Liverpool on the morning of the 18th, coUonmnrket wn firinir, the *! i u■ a i>rrr>f t<* 4000 li;cs. * The British Ministry have decide I on ree.m iw mrntlnig ti. PA-liaineitt an al> dition of tha win, dow tax. Tha M irquis of S ruthsinptim is ilmt.l The talked of Conference of monarch* at I)re* den will not tike plaee. Ad vires from Madiid to the 11th, stite that the Queen had accepted the resignation of her Mini*- ters. ‘♦*. Palis Bourse. 95. 15. [Reported for the Constitutionalist.] Bai.timoup!, Feb. 7. The steamer Empue City has arrived al New York with later intelligence from California. A fire had broken out at Laguna, which destroy'’ ed eighty houses. Health in California was good, and the ehalttai had disappeared. Tho Indians continue their depredations. Thu steamer Georgia has been burnt Th‘ steamers Calif rnia and Northerner arrived oa* safely. t 1 JRevortei! for the <l% ’ ‘'• Merrnry.) I, anW. *’ The Senate have ordered the deficiency bill to* be engrossed. James Wilson, the wealthiest merchant in Bal timore, died 10-ilay. New Oiu.ii* vs, Feb 9. The seats for Jenny Lind’s conceit were sold to. dav at auction. The first choice was bought for $240, nml the entire proceeds over $20,000. New On lea vs, Feb 10. The splendid steamer Aotocrat, from this port for Memphis, came in collision with. Ihe steamer Magnol-a, and the former was sunk. It is supposed that thirty lives were lost. New York, Feb It. The steamships Southerner ha* arrived from Charleston, and Ihe Florida, from Savannah. Baltimowr, Feb IS. The funeral of Mr Richardson, Attorney Gene ral of Ihe Slate of Marvland, took place 10-dsv, ond was very large. Unlit J Brent hne bees ap pointed hi* successor. W*siiivotov, Felt 13. The Senate In s pasird a bill granting ten mil lions of acre* of hind, for the *up|nirt of Imtitu tions lor the insane. They hare also passed a bit! creating the office of Lieutenant General, tnd tho hill for supplying ilrficiencirs in the appropriations. The House of Repr-sentatives has rejected tho hill creating a Board of Accounts. A motion to pay additional rnmpcn*; lion to the p inters of Con gress is under di-russisn. ’ Sa t aw a ft, Feb Tlie.stejmship Alabama arrived hours from Pfew York. She experienced Iteavy head winds the whole passage. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Latest ilatos frmn Li vorpool,.. J„ n |7 l.atest dates from Havre, J*„ Latest dates irom Havana, pVb 8 DF.PARTVKK OP STEAMERS, CUN AKD LINE. FROM LIVERPOOL. FROM OF.W VOg. TROM BOSTON C maria, .tan is Feb 12.. Europe, Feb 15 „ ca Asia,.. .March 1 March 16. Canada, March 15.. April 9. . Africa, March 29 April 23 * America, April 5 April So” Asia,.... April 12 May 7 COLLINS LINK. FROM LIVERPOOL. j FROM HEW TOR*. Saturday.....K e b 22d Sat nrday,... .March > 111 j Wednesday,..Keb 19th Saturday, Mr.rch22d j Wednesday,..MsrthAtb Saturday,... .April olli | Wednesday ..Mar. 19th NEW YORK AND HAVRE 1.1 NF,. from HAVRE. FROM SEW TORR. Franklin, March 10... Feb 8.. Hiinihiilt, April 9 March 8.. Franklin.: Mav 7 April 6.. PHILADELPHIA AND i.IVKKPOOL LINE. LEAVE LIVERPOOL. I#*VE PHILADELPHIA Citv <>f Glasgow,..Kell 12.. ’.Mirehl3.. COTTON STATEMENT, fi'cek ending February J 5, 1851. Old Stock on hand, ....638 Received this week, ..1272 Received previously. 4656 49168 4SSOB Shipped ll*X week J4S3 Shipp.<D>vionsh 25761-1Q244 /Stock on hand, .....18562 Receipts to the same date last 530’t9 / Stock on hand 26.’76 COTTON MARKET. Correspondence of the Time*. Apalachicola. Feb. 8, 1851. This market has been quiet lor the -ast week and under the telegraphic report, of r. decline of i|e Jd per rteemer Canada, Ibe sales have been light at irregular prices, until t'-dny, when quite demand sprung up, mid the sales h.iv. reached, it is said, 1000 hales at 11} lor Middlings, and 11} for Good Middlings. In my last quotation ot rate* of coastwise freigut* I intended to quote }e to all coa*iwise po ts, —I notice it read }e. They remain unchanged as well as tho rates to Liverp 001, thongh there is a disposition to dema.id high rates for the latter port. “ DAGO.” r Nf.w York Feb. 7. The cotton market w firmer, willi sale* of 2000 bales al yesterday’s prices. Rice is active. Sales 600 tierces at 3J to 3 9-16. Naval Store* firm. O her articles unchanged. Charleston, Feb. 8. Cottox.—l4oo hales have been sold to-day, a* 11 to 13 cenl*. Prices firm, with an upward ten dency. Aloista, Feb. 8. P- m - Ctttox.—There has hern I cotton of fering to-day and Ihe sales have been limited, auo at yesterday’* price*. * New York, Feb 10. The cotton market to-day has been dull; tbo sales amounted to 300 bales, prices unchanged. 6-telling I’ithanae 9As)O. <i