Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-25
Th;s il n ra1innuishment


of the first principles of our governmental yields
to that spirit of innovation which would pervert
the whole system of our government--destroy the
sovereignty of the States-convertt the Union INTO
consolidated democracy and place every tnng
at the disposal of an arbitrary and tyrannicaI ma
jority-a state of affairs as far removed from ,rue
and rational freedom the one hand, as an aos0-
lutte monarchy on the other. Even in the BRUSH
Parliament Fox successfully maintained ,he
! axiom that "power misappled was revoked -
| and we have been cheated with the form OF he
pnonarcbst would give them. Besides, how long
| would the Union last, or what would it be worth
if we were to allow the northern States to become
the censors of the nation and suffer the people OF
Maine to sit in Judgment on the domestc con-
Germs, municipal regulations, manners, and morals
of the people of Georgia?
Other opponents say "they are unwilling to en-
danger the Union for an abstraction" Our fathers
did not reason thus, when, according to Mr. WEB
ster, they "took up arms against preamble. -
SIN other countries" says Burke, 'the people more
simple and of less mercurial cast, Judge OF an Ill
principle in government only by an actual grle-
vance; here (America) they anticipate the evil
and Judge of the pressure of the grievance, by the
badness of the principle" With the history of
Brazil before us it NAV we'll be doubted whether
slave labor could not have been most probably
employed in California-but admitting that 1t
would only be an abstract wrong inflicted upon the
South in excluding her from the new territories,
is not this more insulting to that just pride which
had rather sustain an injury, than brook an insult!
Is it not easier and better to repress than 10 SUD-
nit to an abstract declaration OF superiority E
While we bow in obedience to the ordinance OF
God.' we need not Weld to the insolence and Gu
pidity of man.
These objections to the Nashville Convention
are so trivial to use no harsher epthet, that they
deserve no serious refutation. They seem as much
out of place as almanacs calculated for Northern
ATTITUDES But more specious grounds OF opposl-
ton have been taken by those who concur with
the friends of the Nashville Convention in their
general views. We were told that we had much
to fear from the restless and dsorganlzng spirits
that might assemble on that occason-that there
were too many hotspurs in the South. III resist
lance to wanton aggression be the chief eieinen-
of that character, the charge may be true, but IN
looking to the course of the leading men in both
sections, it may we'll be asked if the hotspurs do
not exist now, as of old, in the North? Was it
not a foregone conclusion to decide upon the cha
racter of the delegates before they were appointed?
Besides, have not the tmd, call them if you please
the moderate and conservative, taken care to en-
sure the fulflment of their own prophecies by
holding back from the movement, and leavlnglt to
those whose more ardent natures had placed them
in the front rank IF the whole South had com
bined, could it not have selected from the body OF
it's citizens, the wisest and best, the reverend
fathers" to whom it could with confidence have
entrusted its cause in this moment of peril 1t
surely is improper to condemn any movement in
advance from the fear that now as ever few de-
magogues more intent on their own ends than the
good of their country might seek to use it as
stalking horse to ride into notoriety. 1t would be
as unknd to try all the advocates OF the Nashville
Convention by this standard it would be to ut
| ter sweeping denunciation of our whole Con-
gress because it contains such "retal revolution
lists" as Hale and Giddings, Seward and Chase.
That sit was gotten up for party purposes, and adj
vocated to obtain political preterment' is charge
so vague in its nature, wanting in proof, so
easily made, and yet so intangible that it cannot
be met, that each person must give what answer
his own conscience may dictate. To so much of
the general denunciation falls to my share, l
have no reply but simple indignant denial-un-
less, indeed may add that the charge when made
by Southern men speaks poorly for their charity
and generosity, when it is recollected that it was
to assert their right, indefending own, that the
Convention was proposed. Others tell us to leave
the matter to the people in their primary meetings.
| Would not the voice OF the people have been more
| impressive when united in one note OF earnest ap-
peal and remonstrance Others tell us they are
satisfied with the action of Southern legislatures,
and vet recommendation of the Nashville Con-
! vention constituted part of that very ACTION
The whole effect of legislative remonstrance has
been DESTROYED by the refusal OF the people to
comply with its suggestions.
We have been warned against the formation OF
sectional party To protect the rights OF section
against the attack of another without perver-
sion of terms be construed into the formation OF Sec
tional party. know that this movement has been I'M
kindly and by he compared 70 e
trast and not of similarity. The one met in time OF
war, tine other was to meet IN time OF peace. Inc
Hartford Convention met to denounce the Constitution
the Nashville Convention was called tor Its preserva
ton The one declar ed "our government unht Tor
peace or wharf.-the advocates OF the other believe 1t,
when properly adm Mustered equal to the demands OF
the one and the exigencies OF the other Inc hart
ford convention was composed of cold traitors who,
meeting secret conclave, fet no sorrow Tor the dsas
ers no Joy for the victories OF their couny-he advo-
Gates the Nashville convention would rejoice IN the
increasing glory of their country, and guarding the
constitution and the Union for the rights they guaranty
and the memories they embalm, IN the lace OF Gay
would have manifested their earnest desire 10 Destroy
all sectional feelings, and unite once more with hooks
steel free, happy, and united people, The Hartford
convention the parent oil all the factions
which since its time have endangered the Union The
Nashville convention intended to strike deadly
blow at those factions, whose Vaccinations alone, can
ever destroy the fabric of our free institutions But will
not insult just cause by continuation OF the contrast
No! the South is not open to the charge OF creating
sectional parties, 1t lies against those of the North
who with the words OF Washington's Farewell AID
dress upon their lips have ever kept it far from their
hearts 1t is they who in the language of Mr. Jefer-
SON. have conceived and held up to the angry passions
OF men geographical line coincding with a marked
principle, moral and POLITICAL 1t is they who would
erect on Mason's and Dixon's line wall of separation
it is they who measure their affection for the Union by
degrees OF latitude and longitude, and would make Ma
District a Of Of Columbia into the Flanders of America
To the objection that the Nashville convention
would endanger the Union, have already made
appeard TO its friends to be the OF preser
wing the Unon occupying as it does the middle ground
between submission which few advocated and disu-
revenge might be presented by restless spirits by honest
zeal sung to madness, do not pretend to deny. But
believe was the intention Of large majority OF its
assist the settlement Of this unfortunate question