The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-20
THE UNION.


the authority Of the saes would excite the Opposition
o. single STATE, Of few States only They would be
tho sgnaIo general alarm. Every government would e.
The common cause correspondence wonid pc
opened plans Of would be conoerled spl
4 would animate and conduct the whole The same COM
binaon. Ia short would result from apprehension OF the
federal government as was prodaced BY The dread O.
foreign yoke and unless the projected innovation should be
renounced, the same appeal trial OF force would be
made IA the one case that was made in the other &c
What higher sanction for the course which the South
have taken in proposing this convention can be asked or
desred How can she successfully resist encroarhmens
upon her rights and properly unless united and prepared
for the struggle! What other mode so proper, IN the
first instance convention Of the character proposed
That convention will have no power 10 dissolve the
Union. They 60 10 consult, not 10 a on the best mode
OF yedessng evils and restoring harmony to the country
The great object OF the Nashville Convention is
serue fhe Union upon the princtpes Of the constitution.
and to prevent il from becoming an instrument ~ oppre
sion the hands of majority. The social and political
relations which have existed for more than two centuries
all their Institutions, civil and political cannot be touched
by the federal government without the hazard OF dis
union Upon that Subject the Soun arc uGiea 70 man h
people OF the South ask no sacrifices IRON the North
They expect no favor-seek no bounty They desire
n6aaferueaon, according to the principles OF the con-
suton and The compact Of union and mean to be salts
fed with nothing less They can defend their rights and
property and 10 do i and would be well Tor our
brethren Of the North and East to ponder upon the adj
monitions and warnings OF the distinguished senator from
Kentucky uttered upon the floor OF the Senate, upon this
subject Of slavery in the South In his speech upon the
power u a. iac 90 i0f~p wi. ~oy
said:
Ii a majority Of Congress shall put itself in oppos
ton the interests p the South [oa the subject Of slavery
resolution, valor indomitabe determine
tion rights against all menhese, and these
The people Of The South have all the requisite guaantes
LIST They have the sacred provisions OF the constitution
then they have the character OF the government
edeacy and the fact OF the existence OF those interests
he rights Of the master over the save) long before the
the government in regard TO Them, recognised and laid
down by that sacred INSTRUMENT Iha, ths security o.
which il was alike the interest Of all to cnvae in the
s y % s s fs,am sa @
shall be sssaed and n The capacity and 81
lorms of atlack, whether from abroad or al home
The time has arrived--probably much sooner than he
expecedwhen the South would be called upon 10 take
suitable for her defence and security But how
first instance by the intervention of the States and
their governments in taking counsel OF each other, in
terchangng opinions and sentiments and by union and
concert in the shape OF conventions properly and peacea
bly, formed Thisis the avowed object OF the Nashville
Convention They assemble for conciliaory counsels;
to advise and admonsh The North to forbearance and
JUSTICE and the support OF the constitution and Union
made advise the South TO the proper
TO be taken in defending their rights and property against
the dangers that threaten them, and the adoption Of suit
able for security and safety These doubtless,
the objects and duty OF the convention In this view
confess look to il with great confidence Suc con-
venton OF good and true men-marked BY solemn calm,
and rejecting sense united BY common feeling in
the support OF the constitutional rights of every portion
of the confedeacy, and devoted TO the Union OF the
States upon the principles OF the constitutions with wis
dom discern and courage enough 10 propose
best calculated meet the threatened dange-cannot
fail command the confidence, il is 10 be hoped OF the
great body oil the American people was in this view,
and acting under the influence OF public opinion, that the
Legislature OF Virginia. without distinction OF party ADOPT
ed with such signal unanimw resolutions approving the
Nashville Convention.
But. whatever the convention may may not advise,
thing very certain that the South will per-
NIT the federal government TO interfere with the social
relations which exist between master and slave under
any circumstances, and that If the national government
is 10 accomplish the great purposes for which
tablished, il only be done by administering it in the
spirit and upon the principles upon which was formed
by our fathers These are my views on this important
subject Ii will hardly be necessary, gentlemen, for me
10 say 10 you that whilst have ever been an
promising friend TO State rights and sovereignty, as
cured BY the constitutional compact, have been de-
voted friend 10 Union, the rock OF our safety No
has ever felt deeply its value aud the duty OF
supporting IT, the moral and political considerations
on which il was founded. To il have devoted my al
fections and my ie but when the time comes, il il
does when forced 10 decide between the North and
the South upon the mighty questions now IN issue, can
only say that my mind is made up and that II the South
can only be saved by separation and dsunon, Why let
them come. / have lived long enough to know that
greater; and that is, live under government OF unm-
tied power All that do is TO discharge our duty
TO our country, and leave the consequences to God
am, gentlemen, with cordial respect and esteem. your
$3.50 - ss''' A. STEVENSON.
To SHELTON r. LEAKE, Jas. 3. RoGERs, WALTER Coles;
JAMES ALEXANDER, RoGER A. PRroR, esqs.