Circular

Sir: We trust that we sliaü not be consrdered as taking an onwarrantible überty in addressing to yourself, and somo others, in whose discretion we rely, the following cummunication. We make an appcal to you, irrespective of party politics, as one having common interest wifit ourselves, upon a matter, as we conceive of momentous concern fo every southern man. You cannot but have observed the rapid progress of the Ai.ti-Slavery spirit, for some time past, and the alarming influence it has exercised on the politics of the country, as e.xhibited at Washington, and lliroughoui the non-slaveholding States of the Union. The inundation of Congress wiih petitions for the abolition of slavery in the District af Columbia, though the act of petitioning for such a purpose assumes an inferiority in the slaveholding States. and the language of the petitions is replete with vituperation and insult, has been persevered in until it has ceased to arrest attention. The application in the United States, of the principie of the English cnse of Somersett, decided by Lord Mansfield, by which it is declared that the relation of master and slaveceases as soon as the parties pass jurisdiction of the local lavvs which authorize slavery - a principie which isolates and degrades the slaveholder - has been more than half acquiesced in. We have seen Slate afler Sta le legislating with a iriew to avoid the act of' Congress in regnrd to fugitive laves, and prevent its interference with the above principie, until we areso familiarized with such legislation, that the pubüc are scarce aware ihat the Pennsylvania Legislatura has recently nullified this act of Congress, and affixed a heavy punishment to the attempt to enforce it within the limits o the Slate. The missions of Hoar and his compeer to Soulh Carolina and Louisiana, b which Massacusettsundertook on the very soil of those States, by agents resident in Charleston and New Oreans, to obslruct thfi local laws in regnrd to the introducüon of frne colored persons,though met ])romptly by the States, respectively, to whom particularly the insult was offered, excited in the south but a passing interest, and s now almost forgottcn. Apathy on our pari has been followed by increased and still incrensing activity on the part of the enemies of our institutions. The introduction, at the closa of the session of Congress before the last, of ihe Wilmot Proviso, and its passage then in the House of Representatives, by a vote of 85 to 80; the provisión at the last session, against slavery, in the bil! organizing a Government for Oregon ; and the repudiation of the principies of the Missouri compromiso, evinced by the rejection of Mr. Burt's amendment ; - the renewal of the Wilmot proposition by Mr. Preston King, the vote on this, and the adoption finally of the Proviso, as shaped by Mr. Ilannibal Hamlin, of Maine, in the House of Representatives by a large majority, are facts, which leave no shadow of doubt ns to the ulter disregard of Southern rights in that body; The defeat of the obnoxious rtieasure in tlie Senate gives us no security in the future. Senators, in their places, open'y proclaimed their approval of the principie it contained, and placed their opposition, distinctly, on the ground that, though riglit in itself, the "time and occasion" rendered its adoption ine.xpedient. The Legislatures of eleven Stales have with singular unaniniity, urged a renewal of these eflbrts. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Few York, Rhode Island, Vennont, New Hampshire, Massaobuaetts, Oliio, Michigan, and more recently Maine, havo all, througlt their Legislalures, spoken still more explicitly than by iheir Representatives in Congress. The tone of the press, Whig and Democratie, Agrarian and Religious, in every non-slaveholding State, manifestsa foregone conclusión, that the Abolitionists are to be conceded to, at least so far as to forbid the extensión of slavery in the United States beyond its present boundaries. While clouds tlius gather, what preparations do we make lor tbs impending storm ? Are our people even aware of' of its approach ? How have Abolitionists, so inconsiderable in numbers, and tliemselves without official station, eflectod so much ? - The answer s obvious. Tliey have adhcre.d 1 o principie. They have made it paratnount to party orginizntion and tempornry policy, and they have thus held the balance of power benveen the two greut partios. They have on this ac count been courted alternatelv, and together, by Whig and Democratie, until it has come about llial rro politician, on either side, is considered as " available" who cannot enlist in his belialf this necessary vote ; and they are actually ai this moment conlrolling the deslinies of this great Confederacy ! Sliall we not profit by example ? The Abolitionists have throughout the non-slaveholding States, Presses zealously, ably, and efficiently, enforcing their views, and presenting Iheir paramount principie - and they have eslablished an oigan in the cily of Washington. We have in the south, papers of both partios worthy of all confidente, but these are but littlc read elsewhere and there is no one them of very general circulntion, even in the southeru Stateö ; and we have not one paper in a non-slaveïolding State, and none in the city of Washington, wiiich, in this eniergency, ïas proved a fast and fearless friend ; not one which habitually reflects ihe public sentiment of the South on thisquestion. The intelJigencer bünks the question ; he Union rebukes equally the spirit of Abolition, and the spirit which resists its Jggressions; and with all, except the Abolitionists themselves, party success, with its triumph and its spoils, s the nbsorbing, if not the sole consideration. The object of this communication is to obtain your aid and co-operaiion, in establishing at Washington, a paper which shall represent Southern views on the subject of slavery - Southern vievvs of Southern rights and interests, growing out of andconnected with this institution. We want a paper whose polar star shall be the sentiment, "that danger to our institutions can only be averted by jealously watching our rights under the Constitution ; by insisting upnn the proportionate influence intended to be socured to us by the compromises of that compact : and above all, by maintaining, at all times, and at all hazards, our equali!y, full and complete, with whatever other communities we hold connection." We wish a paper which we can trust, firm and fearless, which cannot be bribed, cnjoled, flattered or frightened, into furling, for an instant, the Banncr of Southern Equaïily. To effect' this, we must ïender the press free from party influenceS; and unite in its support others besides politicians. We would therefore, riesire to engnge in the undertaking men in every way independent, and whose mcans and positions are such as free them from all temptations of profil or place. If you concur in our views, please confer with us, assoon as practicable ; and inform us what amount in money you are willing, yourself to contribute to efTect this object, and how much you think can be raised in your immediate neighborhood. Enclosed you will find a subscription list, withaheading, setting fonh the principies on which it is proposed to establisl) the paper. If you approve of it, pleasc obtain such signatures as you can, and return the list, by mail, to this place, by he JtSth oí September next. Address your coinmunicatioi, to Isaac W. Hayne, Esq. No. 3 State streel, Who has consented uniil the proposed association is fully organized, to act as Secretttry andTreasurer. Resnectfullv. vour ohrHIpni witnta