The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-26
ER CE

instant, (September 1882 for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning from their candidates an expression OF theu
opinions upon the question at issue, between the
Southern and the free soil States, and the meeting
having been organized, Mr.. John Townsend arose
and addressed them, the following being brief
abstract of his Introductory address,
He admitted fully the right OF the people to be
made acquainted with the sentiments of the candi-
dates and the duty of the candidates to express
their opinions without disguise or concealment and
in such form as would be least likely to lead to
misapprehensioD; and especially at time like this,
when the state of the country was full of diff
Guilty and peril. He considered the liberties aud
political independence of the Southern States
being in greater danger, at this time, than at any
other period before o: since the Declaration OF indie.
Pendence, and requiring from their citizens all their
energies OF mind, OF heart, and fortunes, to vndi-
cate their rights. He regarded them as rapidly
approaching the turning point OF their destiny, and
that the great epoch, from which they would here.
after have to date their history, not very far
of Like the colonies of 76, in their relations TO
the mother country, 80 the Southern States would
soon have TO take their stand towards the free soil
States Of this Union. They cannot stand still as
they are, and al the same time preserve their pro-
perry and liberties citizens, and their political
independence States. They are in transit on
state, and every man heglns TO feel that great
change about TO take place IN their political con-
ditioD, which some lament over as calamity, but
all regard unavoidable necessity, which must
be met, and must be provided against.
He regretted 10 perceive that there was wanting,
as yet, that buoyant hopefulness, that undeubting
confidence in favorable result, which is so neces.
sary TO success Vague and underlined apprehen-
SONS, as to consequences, appear to peIPieY the
at the commencement of our revo-
luton, in 70, and hlrassed timid men, during
the whole struggle. Great changes IN the social
and political condition of the people are always
serious things; and even the boldest aud most
resolute men undertake them with caution. The
apathy, then, which appeared TO prevail IN some OF
the Southern States, he did not believe 10 be owing
10 timidity or indifference to their wrongs; but
with some, TO their not having duly reflected upon
the magnitude Of the danger with which we are
threatened; and with others, 10 the reluctance with
which most men begin 10 redress their grievances,
until they become intolerable But, from what
cause soever his apathy proceeded, he considered
highly Injurious 10 the cause OF Sosthern rights,
since II was both infectious aud discouraging to
our friends; and our enemies rejoiced over it,
evidence of our weakness and timidty, which en-
couraged them TO greater insult and aggression
upon the South.
In view them of this state of things, he expressed
his intention adore his remarks TO those points
chiefly which have relation TO this aspect of the
question. He would, therefore, not discuss at all
the various measures of anti.slavery aggression,
since he supposed that the minds of most Southern
men were made up on those subjects. But taking
Mp the question where our Legislature had left 1t
of, and assuming, as they had declared, that upon
these points "the argument had been exhausted"
he would advance 10 the next stage in our pro-
gress end, the "wrongs" having been already
pointed out, proceed 10 consider the remedy. and
the consequences which are likely to flow from
that remedy.
He proceeded then TO state, that on so grave and
weighty matter as the remedy for our wrongs,
he did not consider il respectful TO the citizens of
the parish prudent in himself, 10 address them,
with only the aid of brief notes, since, from his
habits of retirement as planter, residing almost
entirely upon his plantation, and from his having
withdrawn himself from the political strifes Of the
times, for the last sixteen years, he very I'M
practised in addressing lsrge public assemblies.
For these reasons, he preferred TO present To the
meeting, In writing, what 1t appeared suitable
TO him TO address TO them-which course APP
Peared 10 him TO be especially proper, on the
present occasion, since the sentiments of the cand-
dates have been called for through the public
prints, in a form suitable for publication, in order
that every citizen, whether present or absent might
have on opportunity Of becoming fully acquainted
with them. He than Proceeded TO read, TO the as
sembly, the following
ADDRESS:
Ii cannot fail to strike every man, whe has
turned his attention to the state of public eniment
at the South, IN reference 10 our controversy with
the fTee.sOn States and the general government
that there are two classes, (for will not call the
parties) at the South, who appear 10 entertain diff
frrent views on this subject. These views, although
they cannot be said TO be opposite, nevertheless
lead to very opposite results-the one 10 compare
tive inacIion, the other 10 timely and vigorous
eistance. The former class view the Wilmot
proviso, applied to California and the territories
and the other measures of entisl livery aggression,
which nom time TO time have been pressed upon
ms, in Congress, as measures which begin aud
terminate IN themselves; and although they regard
them wrong, as unjust, and unconstitun onai, as
nevertheless, so Ear removed IN their effects upon
our interests, as not to Justify any serious alarm.
They are, therefore, willing TO patch UP peace,
by a compromise with our enemies.
The other class, on ths other hand, view those
measures az parts OF regular system of operations,
the Object, intention, and inevitable tendency of
which, 10 To abolish slavery entirely in the States,
and TO degrade the South into a rrb ite-paying
colony 70 the rest Of the Union. Viewing. then,
these measures IN this light they are prepared, and
willing to meet the question az once; and keep safe
thru ciudel by defending the outp,sis
Both classes are very unanimously agreed 90
dele nd the cidel, when that Is attacked, but I'M
happily, all at the South do not in these me q
sures, the mighty evil which turks behind them,
and which threatens such fearful consequences to
our social and political life.
The hrst question, then, for the people Of the
South to settle IN their minds, IL the reality of this
danger For, upon the ssttl, ment of this question
Will depud their union; aud upon their union will
depend their safety, their stability, and their hspp-
ness a safety certain and undOubted, a stability
10 their institutions, which they have never before
possessed, and political happiness and prosperity
which they have heretofore never enjoyed, and
which, owing TO their favored position, Il has rarely
been the lot of any former people To attain unto.
The hrst thing, then, for us TO consider Is the
reality of this danger and this can be best under
stood by taking bnef review Of the progress of the
years past
II is scarcely sixteen years since this dangerous
subject began first to be ineddled with in Congress-
Previous TO that time IL appeared TO have been
considered as subject forbidden to that body: and
sn was the sole concern, SO under the exclusive
control Of the people Of the South.
About the year 1885, the anti. slavery party Of the
North begen to agitate Congress by an interference
with our institutions, at which time, we have
been informed by Mr.. Calhoun, " petitions poured
m calling upcn Congress TO abolish slavery In the
District Of Columbia, and TO prohibit what they
called the internal slave trade between the States
announcing at the same time, that their ultimate
object was to abolish slavery, not only in the Die
the Union"
Lett be here well noted that their ultimate OBJ
ject, as openly avowed by them, even at that time,
was the abolition OF slavery in the States; and that
the other measures were urged upon Congress as
only the preliminary steps towards the attainment
OF that object
Now, in all the measures which they have since