The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-05

ed for no other purpose, II seems 10 me, IMAM 70
influence not only the henderson TINS House from
the free States, but the action OF Congress upon
questions pending before it. Some OF the South
ern States, perhaps majority oil them, have pass
ed resolutions declaring if Congress abolishes
slavery in this District, and prohibits it in the
Territories, and presumes to do certain things
which may not please them, they will resist its
action at any and every hazardp Tbisis a brief
method Of declaring that they will commit treason
and rebellion against the Government II the ma
jorty dares to disregard their wishes, or fails to
comply with their demands Whether modesty
or chivalry most predominstes in such conduct,
must leave for others to determine Inc extra
ordinary language of the member from North
Carolins, [Mr. CLINGMAN, in speech upon this
floor, is fresh in the recollection of every one,
and though pains may have been taken TO conceal
or disguise his meaning, the allusion to strug-
gle that would not leave aquoruni to do business
in this Hall was well understood by those who
heard him. And If any one entertain doubt, 1t
was soon removed by what was passing elsewhere.
Not long after this and other violent speeches
were made, letter-writer from this city, who was
understood to be in the confidence, if he did not
speak the sentiments, of Southern men, under
date OF February 26, 1880, holds the following
language: CSee the New York Herald of Febru-
AIRY Is, ls5O:) ,,
awe are on the very eve of bloodshed in the
Capitol. There is no telling when its crimson
streaks may deluge the halls Of Congress With
out moments warning, civil strife and massacre
may commence, for it will begin here. The nrst
S>>'oA N.Y. 49, ~.~-
Washington. There is fearful and an alarm
ing state Of things here and when or where 1t
will end, God alone knows. 1t is impossible for
those at distance to realize that their delegates
In Congress are preparing for such scenes as have
never been witnessed in our heretofore peaceable
civil contests The Southern members are excl
ted to the highest pitch. Men 90 armed, and are
preparing for the contest and personal strife that
will ensue before week has passed We are in
the crisis long and 30 justly dreaded, and M n
day next will be the day when the rupture will
commence The scene on last Monday week, day
and night, will be repeated but in a more fright
full and tragic form. You will remember that
resolution day comes on Monday of every second
week Next Monday is day all must dread,
and wait with deep anxiety the horrible issue
which will take place.
"T'he state of bad feeling which has existed
from the commencement Of this Congress, be-
tween Northern and Southern members, is hourly
increasing, and becoming more intense and alarm
ing. There is danger of an immediate rupture
and once commenced by bloodshed here, where
1t
upon--revoluton in its most tremendous and dan
gerous form 1t is q revolution Of the Southern
minority agaAYsl tne oeerbearSss ssfaMny Of
worst form of tyranny which can
exist. Collision between the members from the
Northern and Southern sections is inevitable. IL
is hoping against hope, to hope that it may not
take place at once-immediately. The Northern
members are playing on volcano, which may
open and pour out fire and fame before they
dream of it. Personal conflicts will take place,
they must do So as sure as is the fact that hard
words lead to blows and the Southern men do
not arm with deadly weapons without feeling that
they are in danger and determined to use them"
might make further extracts from the same
writer of similar import, and evdencing the same
atrocious and blood.thirsty disposition; but this
may serve as fair specimen Of the tone and tenn
per displayed, and the arts of persuasion practiced
by him and his friends The lank and famished
Welt bowling for his prey, and the tiger painting
for blood, could not exhibit more savage ferocity
and the Northern man that does not take the
hint, and conform his conduct to the wishes Of
these gentlemen, after such significant limitations
Of the consequences Of disregarding them, must
surely be preeumptuous indeed, and wholly fail
TO consult his own welfare. But really, MIR.
Chairman, have not been able to discover that
the announcement thus formally made, for pur-
poses no doubt, of intimidation, flor it could be
made for no other,) that Southern men are armed
with deadly weapons, has produced other emo
lions than those of ineffable scorn and contempt.
It is quite possible, sir, that there Northern
men who could be intimidated in this way, and
irngooned into compliance with the demands of
those who are capable of making these threats
but they do not probably happen at this time to
be members Of this House; at any rate, hope not
from Ohio.
In this connection, allow me to notice another
fact, and view it as more dangerous, and there
fore Of more importance, than any already men
tioned-l refer to the Nashville Convention
which assemblies this day. Its object isexclusive-
ly sectional, and it aims to obterate party dis
tino,ions and to unite and strengthen the slave
States in their efforts to extend slavery into the
free territory acquired from Mexico. And as
remedy for the insupportable evils that will re-
suit from the failure Of this scheme, they will, no
doubt, recommend the preliminary steps for dis
solution of the Union. At any rate this has
been plainly intimated by its friends But while
execrate their object, and shall do all can to
defeat it, am not willing to do them or their mo-
tives injustice Let one Of the distinguished adj
vocates of this Convention explain its object-N
quote from the speech Of Colonel Trott of Barn
well, South Carolina, delivered at meeting con-
vened to appoint delegates to the Nashville
Convention ::
"What that Convention will do is not for US
to dictate Our delegates should 20 untrammeled,
and free to consult with the leading intelects
that will be brought together from all parts of
the South. But, as individuals, we may enter
tain and express an opinion as to what il should
do. That Convention should say to the non.
slavehodng States, the South will maintain her
rights and equality in the Union, or she nH
dissol,e Il.
"What else is left for us to do2 Can we rely
on the Constitution Why, the Constitution
has long been utterly disregarded. You have
over and over again seen it kicked out Of both
halls Of Congress. The great and good men
who achieved our independence have passed
away, and the carrion crows that now swarm the
halls Of Congress have mesmerized the Constitu-
ton, and made it speak in any language they
wished. The Constitution is rather an in,ed,ment
than protection to the South. The South re
CARDS the obligations it imposes, whilst the North
treats them with utter contempt But for the
fact that we have been comiorted with the belief
that we lived under q Constitution that protected
our rights, it is not improbable that a Southern
army mould long ago hare CONS 10 Washington and
dispersed Congress Much as we boast of our
freedom, ! doubt If any legislative body, exer-
cising the same unlimited powers as the Congress
Of the United States, would be tolerated in any
part of Europe"
Now, sir, this is very plain language, and the
orator seems to be animated by the same mid and
cOneliaiOry spirit that pervades his sectional
friends in this Hall, aud their mouth piece the
correspondent of the Nan York H.raH | must
be permitted, however, to observe that the
" Southern army spoken Of, which it is said might
but Tor a certain contingency, be commissioned 10
visit this Capitol and dispense Congress would
Re quite inofensive and very apt to fail of its mis-
sion il il should be as easily driven from this city
as similar one was in the year 1914, that aban.
doned the Capitol TO be sacked and burned by a
foreign enemy. But the chivalrous orator doe.
not stop here, but goes on and discloses the real
and Interior designs contemplated by those who
favor the Nashville Convention. Ie proceeds in
this manner
0In Mhnt have said have had In cnntemnla.