The North-Carolina standard., 1849-02-07
REMARxs OF MR.. vENABLE,

s. REMARKS OF MR..vENABLE,
- OF NORTH cARoLINA, sxgssa ~
Delivered in the House of Representatives, on the
3Ist of January, l849, vlndicatlng the course OF
Southern gentlemen in sustaining the previous
question on Cots Resolutions. *
Mr.. Venable resumed the floor, and remarked that
the House. He would not have said one word but
for the remarks Of the gentleman from Illinois, Mr..
Smith, who had alluded to the vote sustaining the
previous question the resolutions offered by the
gentleman from New York, Mr.: Gott He had
voted on that occasion for sustaining the previous
question but it after the House, by a decided
vot had refused lay the resoi iutions the table,
on the motion of the gentleman from Georgia, MI:
HaraIson.1 The House assumed sdietion on
these resolutions; and he (Mr. w was one efthose
who thought it due to the South that extent OF
the spirit which had thus refused to lay the table
resolutions containing in their preamble gross IN
suit to the South, should be known. The conduct
of southern gentlemen had been frequently arragned
for sustaining the previous question. The people
had right to know the full extent of the evil. For
himself he voted to lay the table and thus, with
other southern gentlemen, did everything but sup
picate the forbearnce of the majority in the agita-
ton of this exciting subject When that failed he
voted for the previous question. 1t was due to the
South that the enemy should come out with all his
armor, to contend in fair field He always prefer
red enemy with weapon in hand, to one whose
attitude was equvocal, but in whose sleeve the st-
letto was concealed. If they fell by the powers of
the one, it was after fair struggles and when they
But there could be neither defence against DANGER
nor glory in the result, where the first nmation OF
the approach of the assassin the deadly wound.
The gentleman from Illinois Mr.. SMITH speaks
of the union Of southern and northern fanatics the
subject of slavery; and l suppose he means those
who voted to sustain the previous question those
resolutions .t.% - =
Mr.. Smith. Will the gentleman from North Caro-
lima permit to explains
Mr.. Venable gave way. .e- ..
Mr.. Smith. / meant no alusion to the gentlemen
who gave that vote. | spoke generally of fanati-
cism North and South.
Mr.. Venable. The gentleman's explanation is re-
ceived.
Mr.. Brown, of Pennsylvania, wished to say one
word in explanation, now that the gentleman from
Illinois was on the floor.
Mr.. Venable giving way
Mr.. B. said, that the gentleman from Illinois. he
(Mr. b. was satisfied, did not mean what he said.
The gentleman had said thathe MIR. L. y out-Herod-
ed Herod in the advocacy OF southern rights He
defend southern rights as he (Mr So would
Mr.. Smith. l said so. ,..e, Pc.
Mr.. Brown. Then how could out-Herod Her
cd in defending southern rights? ~
Mr.. Venable resumed. He said it was singular
that the term fanaticism should be applied gentle
who only assert their rights and claim the guar
antics of the Constitution. He asked when or where
did the South encroach upon the Institutions Of
the North, or intemeddle with their policy Qt their
rights! He was deeply concerned when he ,declar-
ed that the vote the resolutions OF the gentlemen
from New York MIR. Gottl convinced him that the
spirit of hostility to the institutions of the South
was irresistible in the free States. Strong indeed
must be the current which drove grave and expert
enced statesmen by its impulse, and compelled them
to vote for such preamble that which introduced
those resolutions. The influence of that spirit a.
mong their constituents must be overwhelming in-
deed, when they could not vote down a proposition
containing an insult to to the South. Who would
vote for bill for the relief of any gentleman in this
House which contained preamble denouncing him
as unprincipled wretch! When the spirit IS so
rabid at home not to admit of such explanation,
this fact a subject of grave apprehension. 1t
demonstrated that the bonds which unite Us were in
great danger He wished to be understood he loved
the Union as it was organized and adopted by those
patriotic and noble spirits who had given US this
compact; he loved the Union, that holy marriage
contract of the States, honored and honorable. But
he feared that there those who only loved the
connection, and not the Union He desired the mar
rage relation with its sacred charters, and its holy
securities, when each sustained the rights, the inter-
ests, and the reputation of the other; not meretri
cious connection, which promoted the happiness of
party and secured the disgrace and ruin of the
other. While of justice produces Its legiti-
results in action this sound relation of union
amongst these States must continue.
He had voted for the previous question on the re-
solutions of the gentleman from New York, Mr..
Gott, to show that evil spirit abroad. That
which was at first agitated for mere popularity at
home, has spread like the devouring fame which I'M
prudent children had kndled in the forest merely to
admire its brightness. The devouring element has
escaped control, unless those who kindled it come
honestly to the rescue. Let them to this patr
otic work. and alarm will cease, and kind relations
be restored.
In the course of legislation the true patriot will
find many obstacles in his path, which embarrass has
desire for progress and improvement. He wilt hard1.
ly know which is the more difficult to oVercome-A
the one hand, stupidity and
ignorance on the other. If he moves forward he is
stands st-of idleness and indifference. To please
all is to please none. Acting therefore without ref
to any set, and with eye single to the
good of his whole country, he will meet with the
he merits eventually enjoy the smiles of his
fellow men, and possess all times what is far BETTER
the approval of his conscience The present
Legislature with commendable liberality have ap-
propriated large amount to build Railroad from
East to West; thus creating mighty channel where
all that is marketable may be transported with
and greater profit and creating vent through
which teeming valies may send their varied and
useful products. w know that in advocating this
measure differ with large portion of our party,
and with recent delegation in the Legislature.
We dislike to differ in matter that involves
terally their interests well as own. We have
been told by some that would lose subscribers
by it, and by others that in we advocated the
they would be compelled to drop US as they
had done another. Now confess that We can
grace but much in need as are, we yet claim
to be independent-and that independence one can
buy, much less intmidate We look to this measure
as the harbinger of better times for the good old
commonwealth, and from the passage of the bill We
date new era in her history. Dewitt Clinton OF