The North-Carolina standard., 1849-12-26
Remarks OF MIR. HiIliard, of Alabama

Remarks Of Mr.. HiIliard, of Alabama,
Delivered in the House of Representatives. December 12
IS49, an regard to SAuUery and the Union.
Mr.. HILLIARD said The gentleman from Massa-
chusetts Mr.. Allen, who has just resumed his seat,
affects to disregard the declarations which several
gentlemen have made to-day in this hall, in relation
the perlous condition to which the government is
now brought, on the ground that they have spoken
under the influence of passion; and he treats this
impressive occasion with unbecoming levty in liken
ing the rrepressibe burst of feeling which has
than interrupted the course of this debate, to
the contrived applause which brought one of Oliver
Goldsmith's earliest plays into notice. A elmer
man never addressed him than the who now rises
to speak upon this great topic which has so nnex-
pectedly been brought up for discussion; and say
to him and to this whole House, that the Union of
these States is in great peril 1t has been precipitated
into this condition by an utter oblivion on the part of
gentlemen representing the non-slaveholdng States,
of the feehng and purpose OF the people of the south
ern portion of this confederacy, in regard to the
threatened encroachments on their rights. L have
never known throughout the entire southern country
settled and deep feeling upon the subject to which
have reterred-the attempt to exclude slavery from
the territories of the United States-as exists
there. And l soemnly declare-speaking from
thorough acquaintance with that people, people
among whom l was born and have been brought
up-that if this Legislation is to be persisted n
UNION CANNOT STAND. The gentleman Mr. Allen]
says that the Union is in danger; that the gentle
men who have announced its dangers could not
hall; yet would remind him that the hand of child
may fling torch into temple which will reduce the
magnificent structure to ashes. He and his assoc1-
are heaping combustib.e materials against the
lofty columns of this q Mon, which the hand of
child NAV at any time fire. 1t is time for every true
friend of the Union speak out; if 1t is to be rescued
from the perils which invest it, 1t must be done by
manly, truthful, bold declaration OF the sentiments OF
the southern people.
| employ no threatening language. l know too
we'll what is due to others, from what feel to be
due to myself to any other language than such
as | desire others to towards myself. address
gentlemen who comprehend elevated consldera-
tons, and who will act under the promptngs OF pat
riotic sentiments at this solemn conjuncture. In
speaking for the people, who have once more honored
with their confidence In sending me mere TO rep
resent them, feel it be my duty say, that while
they cherish a profound attachment to the Union,
they will submit to any Legislation which places
their State in an inferior relation to the other States
of this great confederacy. They will never hesitate
when the choice comes to be made between danger
and dishonor. They would regard a dissolution OF
the Union calamity calamity too great 10 De
estimated but they would esteem submission to leg
islation which deprives them OF their rights
and degrades them, a still greater calamity For
my own part, have admired phrase, whch !
has become somewhat current, that 1--WE shall De
compelled to calculate the value of the Union
The value of the Union which binds these States
together is ncaculable its priceless value dehes all
the ordinary methods of computations 1t IS consecra
ted by battles and triumphs, and gorles, which be-
long to the past; it embraces people OF kindred
blood scattered throug these States speaking the
same language and holding the same religious faith
it to US innumerable blessings; 1t looks Tor
ward future still more prosperous ana more glo-
rious than the past But though all this be so, 1t may
be destroyed, and will be, unless the measures which
gentlemen in this hall resolute to press
at once arrested. brave, generous, hIgh-sPlrH
ed people, who comprehend their rights, and w.
know how important it is for free States to ress~bf
first encOachment of tyranny, In whatever shape US
may come, will, under the pressure OF great nece
Gr ryhi nnDlnU a.
chinery of common government against theLn' with
out pauSlng to cast up Its value. Inc Union is
government of consent, not of force !" hen the soul
ofthe Union is fled, how can itlonger survive! When
the fraternal affection which holds US together In
willing association is destroyed, what glrdle can be
thrown around these States strong enough to bind
them? 1t is of avail that you point to future OF
conVulsion and blood which lies beyond the hour OF
our separation. Anything is to be preferred to an
ignominious submission to tyrapny-tyranny Whlch
reVels in the wantonness of its strength. Men
resign life rather than submit to that which robs lie
Of its value. II
IappeaI to the friends of the Union. may we'll
avow myself to be one of them. In the canvass
through which passed last summer, bore in my
hand that banner which the gentleman from Virgin
n Mr.. Mcdowell, described in that eloquent speech
bv which we were all so much moved at the last {
session. l bore that great banner in triumph. L
spoke for the Union. 1 urged upon the generous ,
people who gathered about me, and heard me, for
bearance nss ted that we should trust to the forms
of the government for protection until found them
insufficient barriers. | vindicated the people of the
northern States, and did not hesitate declare that
it was my belief the unjust Legislation in regard to
the government of the territories of the United States,
which had been threatened, and against which they
were so indignant, would never be consummated.
Now, then, gentlemen, 1 appeal to you i; l call on
you for forbearance; and solemnly declare to you,
that it rests with you to the government from
the perils which surround it. Upon you will rest
the responsibility of settling this great question
The people of these States, the civilized world and
the God of the Universe, will hold you responsible
for the consequences. 1t is in your power to restore
harmony to our systemic turn the government
from the dangers upon which it is driving; and you
can do it without single sacrifice. The Wlmot
Proviso as it is styled by those who claim to repre-
Sent that measure this foor-the Wilmot Provlso,
Which seeks to exclude the citizens of the savehold
ing States from California and New Mexico-has .
not single principle to recommend 1t. 1t rests
neither upon generosity, justice nor constitution
al law; and it asserts doctrine which would not be
tolerated for single moment, if applied to the ord-
nary transactions of life in any part OF the civilized
world.
Mr.. Schenck here interposed, to give his views of
the Wilmot Proviso, disclaiming that name for 1t,
and asserting that it the ordinance of 1877 which
Was intending to be applied to the Territories of the
United States
Mr.. illiard resumed his remarks, and said, what
Virginia generously gave subjected to the ordi-