The Southern Press

The Editors of the Louisville Democrat and Louisville Journal both enquire of us whether we contend for a perpetual guaranty of the right to hold slaves in the territory south of 36 deg 30 min., and ask whether those who may settle there shall be prohibited from excluding it when admitted with a State Constitution. We answer, certainly not. All the South demands is the equal right with the North to migrate with her property into that part of the acquired territory. And such is the extreme moderation of the demand that we cannot comprehend why it is contested by any body but a bigoted fanatic or ruthless plunderer.

The South releases to the North the exclusive right of occupying all north of 36 deg 30 min., much the largest and finest part of the acquired territory, and reserves to herself only the right, co-equally with the North, to colonise South of that line, and when ready for admission as a State or States, the South agrees to abide by the decision of those who shall have then become the occupants.

If this demand of the South is refused, the North will become responsible for all the consequences. The South will stand vindicated by argument, by patriotism and by history.