The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11

1874 Of December, 1887.
MIR President: come from acknowledging Stale,
and from tue midst Of a slaVeholding people, was
once member Of Colonization Society auxiliary
tothis | was It's warm and ardent advocate, until
the ianacal spirit OF the northern abolitoniss ma
infested itself 10 a tone and In strength which
threatened the personal security well as the rights
ofpropcrty Of the southern people. ! then became
ealous lstrongly suspected that this Society, look
Ing beyond is prolessed objects, was secretly abciing
The schemes oilheSe tanatica crusaders, and encou-
raging them In their warfare upon the institutions
and domestic rights of the South. With these stIs
picionS came here 10 be spectatoI--a spectator,
did say i'not spectator only, but an observer OF
your operations, that might determine for myself
whether or not my jealousy was Jusilhed py your
proceedings, and whether my suspicious were we'll
founded in fact The noble and patriotic sentiments
lhaye heard advanced upon this occasion, both al
the meeting last evening, and on this, By many gen
uemen from the north, whoare supporters and mem
bers of your Society, the determined spirit which
they evincc TO defend the constitutional rights and
domestic institutions Of the south against awless and
fanaical violence satisfies me that my jealousy and
my suspicious were unjust being uniounded In point
OF fact take pleasure in repairing the injury which
have done the society. ! feel entirely convinced
that the only object of the Society is that which il
proleSses-he colonization of the free people Of collar
in African object in which the philanthropists Of
the north and south may cordially unite in promot
ing. And now confess that the only feeling of re-
greet which i experience Is that of seeing not one
southern citizen participating in the deliberations Of
the Society, except yourself, sir.
Before entering upon the course of remarks which
propose to submit upon the resolutions now under
consideration, and to prevent any misunderstanding
of my views, beg leave TO remark that deny 10
the Government Of the United States the right to in
teriere with the question of domestic slavery in the
States or in the District of Columbia, affecting its
existence in any shape or form. deny TO the State
government, also the power to abolish the right Of
property in slaves this only be done by the peo-
pie, in their primary sovereign capacity.
have but little to say, Mr. President, in relation
to the fanatical, lawless crew. styled aboionists,
who are busily engaged preparing the public mind
in the north for crusade against the institutions of
the SOUTH in violation Of the pledged faith of the Con-
sution, and every principle of int national law
in violation of the laws of God and man. To them
| have only TO say that have fears; we bid
them stern defiance; they may rage, they may
storm, but we defy them. Whenever they shall
choose TO abandon The protection of The State insti
tutionS and laws which now gives them impunity !;
whenever they shall choose 10 drop their warfare
upon paper, aided by the misguided and deluded
support Of priest-riddcn women and children, and
transfer their operations among us; whenever they
shall pass the line of the Susquehanna, and plant
their footsteps on Southern SOIL stand pledged TO
God to the country and to the world, that they will
be met with spirit that will rebuke their foul, ne
farious undertaking, and roll back upon them that
tide of destruction which they had prepared for the
south There Is no earthly power that can effect by
force the views OF these men nothing short OF The
arm of omnpotence itself can effect ii; the attempt
will be vain
But, Mr. President, although there is no danger
to the institutions of the Soulh TO be apprehended
from the physical power of the abotionists there is
danger Of another character, which every patriot,
every phianthropist and every friend Of republican
institutions should earnestly deprecate, and exert
every faculty of his mind to avoid. mean the sta
bility of the Union. What patriot, what heart that
is kecny alive to the preservation of free insitu-
and the the riuhfS IF IN thai
not trembe at the very idea Shall this holy ark
of libenysha these free institutions BE- ,urned
and desiroyed-shall the freedom of thought, of
speech of religion the protection of life, liberty,
and properly be jeoparded2 Destroy this Union,
and the work is accomplished. Upon its ruins des-
potisln in its most hideous form will its horrid
head and PROSTATE forever this the only free Govern
ment upon earh-the only horc of the good and The
great the free and the bond, of every Cline and of
unborn millions. Instead Of the daily spectacle of
republican institutions, in their pure and simple
operations, shall have royalty, with its attendant
splendor and magnihcence, rioting in its power,
while the clanking chains OF oppression which bind
the people will be unheard and unheeded. The
course Of the abolilionist is well calculated to pro-
duce this effect Week by week, day by day, and
hour by hour, they are creating among your youth
feelings Of strong prejudice and hostility TO the ins-
tt,tionS of the South Counter prejudiccs and feel
ings of hostility are created among the youths of the
South BY wanton misrepresentation and tfaduction,
which must end one day or other, unless extlnguish-
ed. in fierce and bloody collision. These passions
are already much excited, and are daily gaming
strength; they may become SO matured as to be un-
comfortable and inextnguiShable; they should be
rebukcd while now they can be controlled. know,
Mr. President, our friends OF the North believe,
from the fact of our hitherto torbearance, that no
thing can drive the South 10 such an extremity.
This, Sir is fatal deluson, and may be productive
Of fatal effects if INDUCED. know the South has
horne much and will yet bear much; they have
loved and they still love, the Union with fial afec-
ton because they appreciate Its value and July I'M
derstand what would be the effects of its destruction
but they love liberty more; end, in the progress Of
time the expressions Of the Union may become more
intoerabc than even the expressions OF royalty IT.
self There are bounds beyond which no people
will or ought to endure then appeal to the friends
of liberty 10 the friends of the Union in the North,
10 check and control that system OF reckless fana-
cism among them which has such dangerous tenden-
cies, and which may nfct SO much mischief upon
the country. When ! remember that liberty itself
was purchased by the common toll the common suf-
ferings. the stern republican spirit and the com
mingled blood of, our Northern and Southern ances-
tors and this Union founded by their united wisdom
and patriotism frequently ask myself the question,
can their sons have far lost the spirit Of their sres
as to throw away so valuable an inheritance TO gra-
tfy the mere speculative notions OF fanatcal Zealos
who would stop at sacrifice TO accomplish their
mad schemes2 | must hereafter learn the answer
from the actions Of our Northern friends. Upon
them depends whether we shall remain united and
free, or be divided and enSlaved They can-icc
cdnnot-control the operations of these enemies OF
the Union and rights of the South these disturbers
of our peace, and traducers of our character This
is The only subject which can, by any possible means,
produce SO direfu event the destruction oil the
Union and | fondly trust that there is sufhcient
amount of patriotism in the North to afford timely
and Salutary interposition.
Mr. President the proiessed object of this Society
is TO colonze the free people Of color on The CONT
nent of Africa il is a great benevolent, magni-
fcent object, and worthy the patronage and support
of every humane, benevolent heart in the North or
in the South. This scheme demands the ardent the
energetic support of The people of the North and the
South whether we consider II as addressed TO their
incrcsk heir ntie Iheir raLripLiSn their bGMenO