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SOU T H ER N TRIB UN E .
PUBLISHED WIEKLTf BV
wM. B. HABKISOR.
WM. U. HAKEWUN, >
ani» > Editors.
WM. 8 LAWTON, )
From the Southern Frets.
The Prospect.
We said in our last, that if the present
bills in progress through Congress pass,
and the Southern States submit, the non
elaveholding States can in six years amend
the Constitution, do away with the three
fifths basis of representation and abolish
slavery ; and that too withnutt assuming
any new position or principle or any which
has not received the sanction of one branch
of Congress. We stated that we could
prove this position by plain mathematical
reasoning, and a fair deduction from the
principles assumed by our enemies.
We are aware that many will he startled
at this statement, and that the public mind
is not fully awake to the real dangers which
threaten us.
When propositions for “compromise”
and adjustment were made in the United
States Senate and advocated by Southern
men, the confiding spirit of the Southern
people induced many to believe that these
proposilion contained something tangible
and substantial and that a way would be
opened by which the slaveholding States
would be enabled to partiepate in some
degree at least in the advantages to be deri
ved from the vast territories conquered
from Mexico.
These delusions are dispelled and the
stern truth is forced upon all that the whole
of the territories of the United States ate
devoted to Free Soilism.
We have laid before our readers the
opinions of Mr. Clay Mr. Webster, Mr.
Badger, Mr. Atchison, and others on this
subject but as we wish this matter to be
well understood we will give the evidence
of Mr. Chase which is conclusive. That
gentleman said in the United States Sen
ate :
"It has been said here on every side of
the chamber that every foot of the soil
which the United States acquired from
Mexico will be free soil. Senators from
the South have urged it, and Senators
from the North have not denied it.”
This matter is hardly debateable if
California is admitted all inducement
for a slaveholder to move to any of the
territories is taken away. Can any man
point to a single individual who contem
plates moving with his negroes to New
Mexico or Utah.
It may be ssid that the Wilmot Proviso
is not attached to the territorial bill in the
Senate. That is so. But it is expressly
understood that the proviso is omitted be
cause it is not necessary;it is not aban
doned.
There were but thirty-five votes on that
measure ; Northern Senators absenting
themselves to avoid passing it. And why?
They feel sure of the territory without it,
but they will pass it, if there is the least
necessity therefor.
The Mexican law's are arrayed against
us, the people of the territory have been
incited to declare against slavery; the terri
torial bill gives the writ of “habeas corpus”
to the slaves, and the Judges are to be
appointed by a President adverse to the
South; and, finally if it were necessary, a
State government would be formed before
a sufficient number of slaveholders could
go into New Mexico tohavo any influence
in the formation of a constitution. Who
will go there l
We assume, then, the posit ion, that there
is not the least probability that another
slaveholding State will ever be admitted in
to this confederacy.
It will be years before there will be
population sufficient to divide Texas, and,
at this time, a majority of the North are
opposed to carying out the compact of an
nexation.
Nece-ary to our argument is a correet
understanding of the present relative politi
cal strength of the slaveholding and non
slaveholding States.
Thero are sixteen non-slaveholding
States, and fourteen slaveholding States.—
The former have thirty-wo votes in the
United States Senate, and the latter
twonty-eight. In the lower house of Con
gress the Northern majority is upwards of
forty, and it is supposed that, by the cen
sus now taking, it will reach between sixty
and seventy.
But this should be borne in mind, that
the strength of the North is entire, whilst
that of lire South is divided. There are
four slaveholding States which are tending
to abolitionism, and in which it not conider
ed reprehensible for their representatives
to act in conjunction with the enemies of
slavery. Brit let present measures pass,
and the South submit thereto, and it will
be evident to all that the fate of slavery is
scaled, it will nolonger be considered hon
orable to be attached to a slaveholding State
and abolitionism will make rapid progress
in the doubtful States. Maryland,Kentucky,
North Carolina and Missouri are already
considered lukewarm in our cause, & there
are those who, from the course of New
Orleans, are deceived in the true position
of Louisiana.
We look at things practical. The polit
ical power is in the hands of the North, a
Northern man is in Presidential chair, and
there is not the least probability that there
will ever be another Southern President—
Southern in location and principles. The
power and patronage of a government
which collects and disburses thirtyfive
millions of dollars annually, and controls
gouernment contracts, foreign missions,
and thousands of lucrative and honorable
offices, will always be tremendous; and
those powers, wielded by Northern influ
ences, can at any time control the votes
of at least four Soutnern sentors for any
purpose. It will be well that if, in our
downward course, they cannot control
more in a few years; but we assume, what
we think the present and the past will justi
fy, that four Souttern senators at least, ac
tuated by ambitious or more unworthy
motives, can always be relied on by North
ern statesmen, let them propose what they
may, adverse to slavery.
At this time we could point to more
than one Southern seutor who, for a pros
pect of the Vice Presidency, or the cer
tainty of a foreign mission, and a little
Northern pressure, might be induced, from
the most patriotic motives, for the sake
of peace and harmony, and devotion to
our gloious Uion concede so much to the
tender consciences of our Northern bre
thren as to support a propositions do away
with the tluec-fifths basis of representa
tion.
Let it not be said that this is an unrea
sonable calculction, nothing that lakes
place hereafter will be half as extraordin
ary as that which has already occurred.
Viewing things, then practically, we
estimate the real relative political strength
of the two sect ions,as twelve slaveholding
States to eighteen non slaveholdiug States
to make a two-third majority, which, with
the casting vote of the Vice President may
amend the Constitution.
We will show that, in six years, six nay
twelve nonslaveholding States, will be
admitted into the Union; but, previous
thereto, we propose to examine the posi
tions and principles of the Northern States
to see whether it is likely that when they
have the power they will amend the Con
stitution, and do away with the three
fifths basis of representation, and abollish
slavery.
We think that there is not a doubt but
that they will do so whenever they attain
the power; and further, they will, as they
are now doing, Ly the hot-bed system,
override the Constitution to force a major
ity to effect their objects.
These doctrines are held in the North,
and are not peculiar to any party: That
slavery is a moral evil, a sin and a curse,
and ought to be eradicated ; that they
of the North, are disgraced by their con
nection with the institution, and are impli
cated in the sin, and responsible for its
continuance and existence, if they do not
exert every constitutional power which
they can to oppose and destroy it
The resolution of twelve State legisla
tures, and of innumerable conventions of
the great parties, have in every form set
forth these principles, and the representa
tives in Congress from the non-slavehold
ing States have almost en masse shown
by their acts that they truly represent the
will of their constituents.
Wo do not deem it necessary to lay
particular resolutions before our readers,
and will now close this branch by refer
tence to Gott's resolution, which virtually
declared slavery to be couttrary to “natu
ral justice and the fundamental principles
of out government,” which resolution pass
ed the lower branch of Congress by nearly
two-thirds.
The passage of this resolution, more
than anything else,satisfies usthat the South
have nothing to hope from the forbearance
of the North whenever they have the
constitutional power to abolish slavery.No
one will deny that two-thirds can amend
the Constitution, and that those who have
already violated and set at nought the spir
it ts that instrument, will not hesitate to
change its letter whenever they have the
power.
If, as we have stated our belief, the se
Auctions of the General Government can
command four votes in the Senate,and a
proportional vote in the lower House from
the Southern representation, it only ac
quires six more non-slaveholding States to
give them a two-thirds majority. Every
one can speculate as to what the result of
such a state < of affairs will be; we can only
set forth our views, and say to those who
think they can shift the evil hour off on to
posterity, that they are most egregiously
mistaken. If this Union continues, the pro
blem as to the continuance of slavery can
be forced to a solution in six years and will
be forced in twelve years. The Union and
slavery cannot long continue to exist to
gether.
Our territories, or rather territories of
the North, including that conquered from
Mexico and rest or bribed from Texas,
and held prior to the Mexican war, are
very nearly equal in area to the populated
portion of the United States, and are
sufficiant to make twenty-five States over
the medium size; and it is not generally
known or noticed that our front on the
Pacific ocean is greater than that on the
Atlantic, leaving out the Peninsula of
Florida. From the mouth of the Colora
do, at the head of the Gulph of California,
at the thiity second degree of North
latitude, to the British line, at the forty
ninth, is seventeen degrees of latitude;
whilst from the thirtieth degree in Flori
da to the forty fifth degree, our limit on
the Atlantic, is only fifteen degrees of lati
tude. There are twelve States fronting
on the Atlantic.
Hardly a beginning has been made in the
settlement of these vast regions, and yet
six States will he admitted therefrom in
two or three years. Minesola, Nebraski,
Utah or Ueseret, New Mexico, California
and Oregon aro all nerly ready to demand
admittance into the Union.
It should be borne in mind, that accord
ing to the precedent set, by the admission
of California and the attempt in New
Mexico, it requires very few inhabitants
to make a State.
Nothing in the past history of the world
equals what will be tho rapidity with
which these territories will be settled up.
Those amongst us over fifty years of
age, who recollect when all the coun
try west of the Allegahanies was a wil
derness, when Cincinnatti, Louisville and
St. Louis were villages, are astonished
when they think of (he immense change
which has taken place in so short a time ;
hut bear in mind, we were then increasing
from a population of only five or six mil
lions, and now we have twenty five mil
lions, and foreign emigration is much larg
er now than it ever was before.
There is a constant stream of foreign
emigration by way of the Northern Lakes
to the Upper Mississippi and Missouri,and
imagination can hardly picture the masses
who are moving and ready to move from
the Northern and Southern States to Cali
fornia and Oregon ; and we may also cal
culate that there will be a large foreign
emigration to the Pacific seaboard.
Our space is limited, and we must cut
short these calculations; suffice it to say
that is a small estimate that half a million
of emigrants will annually go into the ter
ritories per year for the next six years
As new routes arid locations are discover
ed, this population will gradually spread
over the whole area.
In the first place, six large States will
be formed, and then, as the geography and
natural divisions of the country ar ascer
tained, the process of division will com
mence.
California has a front on the Pacific
equal to six or Sevan of our Atlantic
States, and already has it been said in her
Convention that she may be divided into
six States.
It is nearly the same with Oregon.
A mere majority of Congress may di
vide a State with its consent, and many
reasons will concur to make the process
easy. The convenience of the people
will make divisions necessary. The Pa
cific States will seek political weight and
power, and a larger vote in the Senate;
and our calculating Northern biethren
will see,in the admission of r.sw non-slave
holding States, a means of relieving their
tender consciences from responsibility for
the sin of slavery.
We think it more than probable that
there will be twelve new States added to
the Confederacy in six years.
It is proposed in Michigan to divide
that State, and the location of her territory
would make it advisable to do so; and
some have suggested that Long Island
might be detached from New York, and
made a State.
We must close, with the regret that
we have not limits to pursue the subject
further. We think that all will admit
that there is strong ground for the position
we assumed. But what difference does a
few years make. The territory is there;
it will be populated; it is capable of ma
king territory for non-slaveholding States,
and when but a third of that number are
formed tlirire will he a two-thirds majority
in Congress hostila to slavery.
Now, we ask those who charge South
ern men with ultfhism, to reflect on these
things; and we think that they will agree
with us, that all that to make
the prospects of the Southern States
gloomy fn the extreme, is it for them to
sink beneath contempt by shrinking from
the position they have assumed.
From the Augusta Republic.
Kcsoiii-ccs of the South.
There are various opinions as to the
mode and measures of redress which
should be adopted by the Convention. It
is important that the people should have
every means within their reach, to form a
clear conception of their wrongs, their
rights, their resources and power. Some
fear that in the even of separation a long
and bloody war would follow. That idea
is absolutely rediculous. This govern
ment fought about fifteen hundred or two
thousand Seminole Indians iu a narrow
strip of territory for seven years, at an ex
pense of nearly fifty millions of dollars,
and did not whip them finally. The idea
of the people of the North invading and
overrunning territory from Mar) land to
New Orleans, and from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, is puerile
and foolish.
VVe insert the first number of some ar
ticles which were published at the time in
some of the Carolina papers. We do this
to make all the contribution we can to the
full stock of information calculated to ena
ble the people to act wisely, prudently
and firmly in this crisis of their affairs.—
We will also present other shades of opin
ion as they may develope themselves in
the progress of events.
No. 1.
The resources of the South, in the event of
separation and Hostile collision with the
North.
Mr. Editor :—From tho late action of
Congress and most of the Legislatures of
the non-slaveholding States, I take it for
granted the North will persist in theii ag
gressions upon the South, by excluding
her from all territory lately acquired by
the blood and sufferings of her noble sons ;
and by abolishing the institution of slave
ry in all other places over which Congress
claims to exercise exclusive jurisdiction.
I say I take it for granted, because tyran
ny has rarely been known to relax its hold
until broken by violence or severed by the
sword. 1 also take it for granted, that the
South once nearly her equal in numbers,
and ever vastly her superior in moral and
intellectual greatness, has not fallen so
luvv, as to submit like a craven to the de
gradation of having her rights wrested
from her without a struggle. Under this
aspect of the case, a collision seems inev
itable—it may ho bloodless, but either
peaceable or bloody, it may sever the
bonds of this Union. It is then time for
us to throw aside all sickly sentimentality
upon this subject, and look the event
boldly in the face.
Asa member of political partnership,
into which each State entered as an equal
and sovereign, any State has an unques
tionable right to secede peacefully and
quietly whenever in her opinion the in
fractions of the Constitution have become
so flagrant as to be borne no longer with
patience, and honor to herself. The right
has never yet been denied in the South
indeed it is inseparable from and consti
tutes the chief conservative feature in our
admirably framed government. 1 repeat
singly this secession can take place, but
jointly with others the end in view will be
more certainly and effectually secured.—
But will the right to resist these aggres
sions of the North, by the secesssion of
two, three, or even all the Aggrieved
States, be peaceably acquisced ini It
may bo, hut there is danger that it will
not. It is scarcely to he hoped that that
spirit of fanaticism which burned witches
in New England, and drove Roger Wil
liams into exile, and which has at a later
day murdered our Southern citizens for
claiming their property under the Consti
tution, will relax its hold without a strug
gle. It is then the part of prudence to
prepare for the worst —to calculate the
consequences and look to our resources in
the event of hostile collision. Fortunate
for our purpose the late report of the
Commissioner of Patents fnrnishes data
upon which to base a calculation. From
this it appears that the population of the
slaveholding States proper, leaving out
the “ breeches pocket,” is as follows :
Maryland, : : : 510,000
. Virginia, : : : 1,295,000
N. Carolina, : : 780,000
S. Carolina, : : : G 20.000
Georgia, : : : 825,000
Alabama, : : : 715,000
Mississippi, : : : 070,000
Louisiana, : : : 490,000
Tennessee, : : : 980,000
Kentucky, : : : 890,000
Missouri, : : ' 580,000
Arkansas, : : : 200,000
Texas, : : : : 150,000
Florida, t : • 80,000
District Columbia, : : 48,000
Total, : : : 8,843,000
Or an aggregate of 8,843,000 souls.—
From this should be deduted the 3,000,-
000 slaves included in the above estimate,
which will leave 5,543,000 whites. Al
lowing one-half of this sum for females,
and one-half of the remainder for aged
and children, unable to bear arms, and we
have 1,400,000 fighting men. But as
there ever have been, and ever will be,
tories and tories in every conflict for lib
erty, we may strike out for this class all
over one million. In lien of these, how
ever, if necessary, should be added at least
100,000 blacks, who from their known at
tachment to their masters, and thier con
tented and happy situations, would be
unwilling to abandon the first or change
the last, and would, therefore, fight brave
ly on the side of the South. This estimate
would then give us 1,100,00 effective
fighting men, leaving out volunteers from
all other quarters.
With this number of good men and
true, or even the half of it, if Eutavv, York
town, Monterey, Buena Vista, Chepulte
pec and Cherubusco, tell not egregious
lies we should be wholly invincible. Then
too, we would be fighting for our rights,
our honors and the safety of our wives and
children ; while the North would be fight
ing to perpetrate wrong, injustice arid vil
lainy. Men, however, do not alone consti
tute the sinews of war. Money, arms provi
sions, clothing and munitions are all need
ed in such a contest. In this respect, the
advantage is wholy and entirely ours ; for
all these we have, or that which will most
readily command them in the markets of
the world in our Corn, Wheat. Rice, To
bacco, Sugar, and cotton. Dr. Cartwright,
in his able and unaswernble essay upon
the subject of slavery, informs us, that
both in the Revolution and War of 1812,
the British government under the impres
sion that the South, from her peculiar in
stitution constituted a weaker portion of
this Confederacy, directed its attacks par
ticularly to this quarter. But being most
singly foiled and unable to understand the
why and wherefore thereof, a junto in
London instituted inquired through “de
puties” and agents, specially appointed
for this purpose, the sum and substance of
which was embodied in a pamphlet, solely
for the benefit of the English aristocracy.
While in London a copy of this pamphlet
was placed in the gentleman’s hands, and
the result of this inquiry seems to have led
our translantic neighbors to the discovery
“that negro slavery is the accursed thing
which enable the Amer ican colonists, with
out money or credit, to prosecute success
fully a years’ war against the great
est power of the earth, and that so far
from the Southern people having their
hands full at home in keeping their slaves
in subjection, they actually furnished
more soldiers in proportion to their
populatoin than any other people in the
Union.” Such too, was the case in the
late war with Mexico. This apparent
anomaly with those extraordinary facts is
most triumphantly shown by the author
referred to, as resulting from “that instinct
in Canaan’s nature attaching him to his
master”—an instinct so strong as rarely if
ever to be broken, even by the hope of
froedom itself—that such is his affection,
so docile and obedient is bis disposition in
his present relation, that during hostile in
vasions of the country, can be safely en
trustted with the protection of the wife
and children, and to some extent the culti
vation of the soil during the master’s ab
sence in the field of active service. Con
sequently that enervation resulting from
tbe'prostration of the Agricultural oppera
tions of countries engaged in war, does
not result to the same extent where slaves
are the laborers, as in those where every
one is liable to be called into service at any
moment.
The necessary result therefore, of this
stale of things is, that the sinews of war
are never exhausted in countries like ours
consequently the war can be indefinitely
protracted, until the invaders themselves
are heartily sick of tho fruitless job. So
plain is this made by the examples cited
by the learned author referred to, that a
fool only can doubt their truth.
It will be wise for the people of the
North to ponder long and’well upon thi s
view of the subject, before they resort to
coercion to keep the South in an Union
rendered adious by their oppressions.
To dissolve this Union is possible—but
to drive the South back when once she
has seceded, or subdue her even, is whol.
ly impossible. The North has not the
men,nor have they the money. Her pros
perity, as well as the prosperity, of the
whole world, is mainly based upon the
staples of the planting States. Let the
usual supply he cut off’even for a single
year, and she will have enough to do to
control her own turbulent population of
Agrarians, Communists, and discharged
factory operatives, without attompfin?!
subdue a distent, much wronged hnt i '
alrous people. But let this
wholly and entirely cut ofT, and their L
tifu) and thriving villages, built U p Jj'
the legalized plunder of the South *
soon put on the tattered garments ofd ec " 3
and her cities now so full of the busy
of commerce, will ere long became J
“dens of thieves.” The South then i
nothingtofear from the event of separate
She cannot be coerced by all the p OWe
of Christendom, if arrayed agaist her. *
attempted however, a single compai,
will satisfy the valiant invaders ofher 6 o
Such men as faultered at Cerro Gordo l
Cepultepec would never gain laurel
in such a contest, I am well assured..
Their march would be like that of!
King, of Spain, xvlien with
“Full ten thousand men,
He marched up a hill and then marched dou
again.”
Or, perhaps, like that of Taddy f rom t |
•pratic patch,’ back again in double quic
time. I repeat, we have nothing to f e j
from Northern valor, but have much ]
gain besides our rights, in a pecuniai
point from separation. Let us then, li||
the old Revolutionary fathers, cease J
look upon Disunion with fear and treri
bling, but rather as a redemption fiua
bondage.
M A C O G A
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, SEPtIjU
ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE!!
The Friends of Southern Rights ar
invited to assemmble at Messrs. N. Ouslr
Son's Warehouse, cm Cotton Aum
on WE DNESDA Y E VENING Na
at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of forming
Central Southern Rights Association inti
city—at which time the Committee of Fi
teen will present a Constitution and Byt
Laws for adoption—and scceral Addresst
may be expected.
A general attendance is respectfully soli
cited by MANY FRIENDS.
Macon, Sept. 21, 1850.
MASS MEETING IN CHEROKEE.
We copy rhe following notice from the lai
Cherokee Advocate, and heartily concur in ill
propriety of holding the meeting at the time an
place specified. We should be zealous in oi
efforts to maintain our rights, as our opponetil
who “operate privately,” are ever on the alert
“ The Friends of Southern Rights at
invited to meet at KIN G S T 0 N,i
TIIURSDA Y, the 26th of September, i
fake counsel on the important issues whit
are now disturbing the peace and harum
of the country. Let us show that Chcrolt
knows her rights, and knowing darts man
tain them. It is all important that tk
People speak out, that the position»
Georgia and the South may not be misn
derstood.
Addresses may be expected from th
ablest men from various parts of this ant
the adjoining States.
A I REE IiARRECUE will be pm
tided, sufficient for all who may come."
The Right Spirit.— We invite the spem
attention of our readers to the preamble an
Resolutions, recently passed at a meeting ii
Crawford county. This is, in our opinion
taking hold of these evil times by the right ha»
die. We, for our part, would not give surf
primary meetings for all the mass gatheringsi
the State. When Southern men get to takin,
to their homes the grievances that are thicken
ing upon us, and legislating for them, then «»
we hope—until then, never. We should re
joice if the other Districts in the countv o
Crawford, would follow suit, and then ever]
other County in the State. These Resolution
were passed unanimously, and in our opinion
have spoken in language fit and proper, the trui
spirit of Georgians.
Accidktns.— On Tuesday last, as Mr. Si« 1
Srxrt.Ev, accompanied by Misses Wrssnrean 1
Kii.lkn, were riding in a buggy in this city,
horse ran away, upset the buggy and threw 1
inmates out. Mr. Staley was instantly kl ie
whilst Miss WiNstiiP had her wrist liai>
and Miss Ku.i.en escaped unhurt. Mr. S »*
MissK. were from Houston county-
In the afternoon, tho ltev. S. L. S T,r "’
was run against by a horse and had his c
bone broke and received other injury, l )Ul
learn is convalescent.
On the same day, as Mr. Franks, of
county, was proceeding to this city, his
ran away and dashed the buggy against •>
bruising and injuring Mr. F. very seriouv^
On Wednesday Mr. Scott, of Bald"* n > *
thrown from his horse in tliis city, and sc
injured, but lias recovered.
On Thursday, as Mr Joseph WiU-* tT '° ,
J . I fuii from
county, was in his mill-house, ho -
beam and was instantly killed. He
our most respectable citizens, and
family and many friends to mourn his <>'-
[P-Tlio hill abolishing th e slave * ra J , j e oUseS ol
District of Columbia has passed bot
Congress—and the nest blow ngain**
is to bo struck through tho Tariff, °” * f gtc ci''
joct the North is now niurshalling icr ' esl ioi
They intend to put the salt on us ' n von
thick and rub it in. ‘Ho it boys,
are young ' I
