The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-24

Of June last This Speech almost entirely un-
prenleditated, was spoken to my felow-citizens of
Charleston, communing freely with them as to
their public affairs. 1t was meant for no wider
sphere of communication. In laying it now be-
fore the minds Of others, for reason which must
be apparent 70 all, my aim in this report has been
to expose fairly the positions took and the SEN
timents l uttered, with the leading arguments
offered in their support Sickness and engagements
have prevented me from sooner preparing it, and
have probably contributed also to any little mac
cnracies 1t may contain.
Believe me, gentlemen,
M Your most obedient servant,
rgr r. BARNWELL RHETT.
Speech Of Hon. r. B. Rhett,
DELIVERED AT HBERSIAN HALL, IN THE CITY OF
CHARLESTON, JUNE 81, 1850.
FELLOW CiTrzENs:--I thank you for the frank
and cordial reception, you have given me this
night; and propose to evince my gratitude in the
only way in my power, by laying before you
free and truthful exposition Of my opinions on
the grave matters which have assembled us to-
gether. The time has arrived when it becomes
the people Of the Southern States no longer to de-
precate, but to face, with unblenching front, the
dangers which surround them whilst from their
public servants they should demand all the aid
they are capable Of impartng, to enlighten their
councils and guide their determinations. Without
reserve or fear, | propose to speak to you to-
night.
I fully assent to all which your Immediate rep
resentave has said and so well said, with respect
to the Nashville Convention. We assembled
under the frown of the whole Southland Of the
partizans of all parties in the South, which looked
to the North for utilization and support. That
sympathy which was given man, by kind Pro-
violence, to daunt andsb battle oppression, by lead
ing to the side of the suffering and oppressed,
we i,un mes ON tod aoa ct
us; and whilst hushed in its arrangements of the
North-loud in its denunciations Of all those in
the South, who looked beyond oppression for re-
dress. Conventions in the North to take into
| consideration the institution of slavery in the
South, and the most efectual means of overthrow
ing 1t, have become so common, as to be matters
of course, without censure or condemnation; but
when portion of the people of the South, driven
by a long course of persecution and insult, as
sembe together to counsel for the defence of their
dearest interests and honor, they are denounced
| even IN the South; and every effort is made to
cover their convention with confusion and failure.
| Gentlemen, the Nashville Convention did meet
| it counselled-t united The breath of the people
which gave it life-gave it also strength and una
nimity. Its effect was in nothing more remarka-
BILE. than in the change of opinion and feeling it
apparently produced on the people of Nashville
ard the Tennessee Delegation. Instead of cold
ness and alienation, we received the warmest hos
pitallty from the generous and noble people of
this beautiful city-and the Tennessee Delegation,
whilst mlnlsterlng IN every way to the accommodate
datlon of the Convention, acted with the utmost
forbearance and dignity, and finally gave to all
of our proceedings and measures their unanimous
| support. The toast Of Governor BRowN, at a
dinner given by General PILLow and himself, to
the Delegates Of the Convention, declaring, that
in five days the Tennessee Delegation were
brought into line, shows how previous mistrust
had been changed into confidence
" 10 Of art free orr re-
fined policy, but Of simple truthfulness and manly
frankhesS amongst Southern men, comforting face
to face upon the rights and wrongs of the South.
The proceedings Of the Convention reflected the
spirit of its members. 1t was prepared to concede
any thing but principles. These it laid down,
with distinctness and frmness, exposing the con-
stitutional rights to which the South was entitled
equality in the Unon-equality in our territories.
But if the North refused us that equality (Which
constitutes the bond Of the Union itsef) in our
territories, and insisted upon putting the Consti-
tuition aside-then, for the sake Of peace and the
Union, the Convention proposed that the South
should accept as an sextreme concession a par
utlon of our territories, on the Missouri Compro-
mise line $50 3U, parallel Of north latitude. By
this line, the North would get three-fourths Of
our territories; but as it had been twice before
toned by those who had gone before us, the honor
of the South was at least saved by the proposition.
But the partition the Convention proposed, was not
in the words Of the Missouri Compromise of 1922.
That compromise took place with respect to terri
tory, over which slavery existed by the Louisiana
purchase. II merely prescribed, that North of
$50 3d. slavery should be prohibited; but it said
nothing with respect to the admission of slavery
south of that line. Ii was not necessary to say
anything; because the whole territory was already
slave territory, and slavery could, of course, be
admitted wherever it was not prohibited. But the
fact is directly the contrary to the territory we
have lately acquired from Mexico. When acquired,
slavery did not exist throughout this territory.
The Convention, therefore, proposed, in the par
tition between the North and the South on this
line that there should be distinct recognition of
the right of the two sections of the Union to en-
ter and colonize the portions assigned to each.
The admission of slavery should be as distinct
on one side of the line, as its exclusion on the
other. Not only our equality and honor required
this policy, but the peaceful enjoyment of the por
ton assigned to the South, render it necessary.
Truly or falsely, it had been boldly asserted by
some Of the Oldest jurists and statesmen of the
country, that the people of the South were ex-l
cuded by the laws of Mexico from entering any
portion Of these Territories with their slaves, II
was not proper when setting aside the Constitu-
ton to effect an arrangement, TO leave any doubt
to its effect either side of the line proposed.
Nor would the words used in carrying out this
line through Texas, in the resolutions Of annexa-
ton, suit the emergency These resolutions con-
templated the admission Of States. They do not
apply to a country in Territorial condition. New
words, therefore, suting the emergency and the
condition in which our Territories are placed,
would be necessary to carry out the terms of par
tition proposed by the Convention. Whilst thus
laying down the ''extreme concession" which the
South should make with respect to our Territories
the Convention repudiated and condemned, the
measures pending in the Senate Of the United
States called 'sthe Compromise II condemned
them, not only because in effect they surrendered
every thing to the North--but because Southern
men supported the surrender. The South struck
down by the arms Of her own sons, would find it
more difficult to rise from the blow. Putting aside
all other methods of adjustment, the Convention
presented to the North the fair and simple alter
native-Equality in our Territories underline Con-
stitution, or partition of them, beside it,
Fellow-citizens 1t is matter of the greatest
importance to to consider, whether either of the
alternatives proposed by the Nashville Conven-
ton will be adopted by Congress Will an equal
ity IN our Territories be conceded and if not, will
iyid dc with no Tar H.