The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-16

consequences of measures proposed by many and
most OF their representatives. Another and prime
object OF this convention will be TO enable the dele
gates from all the southern States to devise and
propose to the southern people the I" mode and
measures of redress" in certain contingencies; to
place the entire South in position to act in con-
cert and with decision, should the Congress of the
United States pass law degrading to section,
which, in the impressive language of the Virginia
legislature, should be g resisted at every hazard
and to the last extremity" In such event. the
Union will and should be dissolved, and we should
be prepared. But this preparation and this posi-
ton of the South will not endanger the Union. 1t
will add to its security. There is at the North alb
horrence of slavery--a present purpose to restrict
1t as much possible, to circuInscribe its limits
and impair its value and an earnest desire to ef
feet its " abolition every where" But while this
hatred Of slavery exists, the sentiment of love for
the Union is more intense in the hearts of major
ity of the northern people. If they cripple or
abolish slavery with safety to the Union they will
do il; but if they that the South is determined
and prepared to resist aggressive action, they will
not cndanger the Union-they will desist They
will comply with our reasonable demands they
will do us justice; they will cease the agitation of
the slave question they will give us repose for the
present, and " security for the future" They will
do this uninfluenced by fear, (for the men of the
North as brave are the " sons of the South,w ~
but by sacred love of country, and devotion to
the Union, hallowed by so many endearing asso-
Citations.
1t has been suggested that it will be time for the
South to hold convention when some fatal mea-
be too late 70 do what we now propose. We wish
to preUent the passage of laws which are pledged
to resist or, II we cannot prevent aggression and
outrage, we should be PREPARED to resist.
Upon the contamination of offensive measures,
the southern States, true to their solemn pledges,
should act, and not talk. Consultation and prepa
ration may precede this contamination, but action,
resistance, must follow, unless we are willing to be
subjected to the and contempt of the world.
State may be slow to resolve, but should be ready
and prompt to execute. We owe it to ourselves, to
the Constitution, and the Union, to be firm in our
position, and decided in action. If the South
now faiters, all is lost; shall even save our
honor Better far to have tamely submitted TO the
exactions of the northern States They would then
have pitied their fallen sisters. But if we show
steadfast determination to maintain rights and
in the language of calmness soberness, and reason
tell the northern States what are Z" the rights"
caim and are resolved shall never be violated; and
if we further show that our resolves not mere
empty boasts, but that we prepared to execute
those resolves, northern will pause !; they will
respect us they will do Justice they will prerent
the " consummation of measures" which, if we be
not " degenerate SONS of noble sres," will involve,
necessarily, severance of the Union. firm for
ward movement will secure all we have right to
denand--all that the South will ask
Again: it has been asked if have confidence in
the President, why not let him the unfriend
ly, unconstitutional, and offensive action of Con-
gress? My answer is plain He cannot prevent
the effect OF such action. He may, and am fully
assured will, veto bill to abolish slavery in the
District, the slave trade between the States, or
Territorial bill with the Wilmot proviso. He
cannot arrest agitation in and out Of Congress
The whole Union will still be distracted, and the
next Presidential cleo ton will divide the country
into sectional parties In the mean time, no Ter
ritorial bill will pass without the proviso; and
the moral effect of the action of Congress will be TO
exclude US from the Territories, much a
law having the sanction of all the departments of
our Government Shareholders will be deferred
from going to the Territories by this declared
timent OF Congress, which they well know will be
faAr rptAa L..
in 1852; for, upon division of the Union into
tional parties, we cannot doubt which party will
triumph. We have right TO, and should insist
upon the privilege Of occupying at least portion
OF the acquired territory, which can only be Sc
| cured by influencing the action of Congress. Our
patriotic President is true to the South to the
Constitution, true To the Union; but the powers
OF his oflce do not enable him to accomplish what
the southern people may, should, and will de-
mand. I have been discussing the policy of hold
ing southern convention, and the propriety Of
Florida being represented as though these were
open questions. My intense anxiety on the subject
OF the interests the honor, and the safety of the
South, and the preservation of the Constitution and
the Union, is my excuse. With us the question is
closed That the convention will be held il "ixed
fact" Every southern State, except Delaware,
will be represented, and Florida pledged to oin
them.'
The only question is the mode of electing dele
gates How this should be done your own wisdom
will provide.
Being at the seat Of Government, where have
better opportunities of acquiring correct informa-
ton than those at a distance, trust may be ex
cused for making suggestions to you a subject
involving the most momentous consequences.
shall be pardoned for entreating my constituents TO
send their best, ablest, and most discreet men TO
represent them regardless of party considerations.
In this matter they should know no party IL is
great State sectional, southern question, in which
all have an equal common interest Most il not all
OF the other States have sent divided representa-
ton Of Wings and Democrats Would il not be
wise for Florida TO do the saneS
For myself, sir, may be permitted TO say that il
is source Of unmxed satisfaction to feel in no wise
responsible for the melancholy state of things which
surround US, and il is gratifying to feel that the
political party with which have been associated
is equally free from responsibility. Mexico was, in
the language OF a distinguished southern states
man, the forbidden fruit" The Whg party
warned the country of the consequences OF tasting
IT, They told the people of the United States that
the evils which now surround us would follow the
acquisition of territory. They did all in their
arrest war Of aggression. But party policy pre-
vented the accomplishment Of their wishes, which
presume every southern man now regrets. In
spite Of their efforts, Mexican territory has been
acquired, and the evils predicted have come upon
But, sir, though we warned our Democratic
friends OF the consequences of their acts, and en-
deavored TO prevent their contamination, this is no
time for elimination. The motives which influ.
enced them doubtless patriotic. We only
regret that they did not listen TO counscls. The
institutions OF our common country are endangered.
IL is the duty of patriot not 10 stop TO inquire who
or what caused the danger, but TO do all in his
power TO avert calarnties impending over that
country, which, "right wrong" he must pro-
tect and defend. We all have a common cause. a
common danger; let w all share common re
sponsibiliiy.
As the Representative Of the people Of Florida,
shall remain at my post, and resist, by all lawful
means, the contamination of measures hostile To
the interest Of my State, of which must prove
fatal To the further continuance of the Confcdcracy
But, as the sentiment Of Congress is against us,
and as measures of compromise can only be carried
by the influence of men who candidates for the
Presidency, and who regard more considerations Of
their personal popularity in States sections
which cast the largest vote, than the appeals of
justice, have little hope that my resistance will
be availing. look to the action Of the people of
the southern States as the only means of perIna-
nent security.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obcdicnt servant, +. G. CABELL.
Gen THOMAS BRowN,
Governor Of the State of Florida.
Extracts from speech deiicoed by The Hon. L. c.
EkREIL Of EIoridu. in The Hotfse of Renrfse,fo.