The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-03-20


are admnlsd 10 give he rsquisiIe msjori-i
.iy. ihe elron viii be made 10 amend the
Constitution. and sbslish slavery in The
siales where il now cxisisf II such be
theu determination. rha, sbsnrdiiy il is 10.
ialk about providing efIeelual guards (by
a soalhesn conseniionl against like dan
gers in the faiure.' . Cor The purposeof pre-
serving The Constitution. II The guards
and compromises. provided in the Con-
ssiiuiionshy The Fathers Of the ConIedera.
lion. and secured nnder lhe solemni'y Of
an oath 10 support that instrument, VIII /
NOT shield il against ihe destructive inroads
of these northern yandals. what hope have
we thai any thing which this Convention
oflhe southern states could propose. would
save that same instrument from The ruth
less hands Of brute force, predetermined
10 violate il against right and jusiices
Equally incompehensible 10 me Is The
declaration that . we are satisfied that no
eiIeciual or enduring check upon This ag-
gressiye and injnrions tendency in The ac-
lion OF ihe Federal Government, ran, or
viii be spplied by any Of the departments
which administer ils powers. We advance
This proposition without reference 10 the
dispositions Of those who now, or here
| afier may, administer The Goscrnmeni
J hut as resulting from The inherent chaiac>
Ter OF our political syslem--which must,
| in all lis departments. eventually bend 10
the influence Of the dominant seciion."
i II il be really true. as here bioadly declar-
: ed. ihal there is in our political system"
: an . .inherenl" vice which must "eveniu-
7 ally bend il loihe influence of the domi-
: nant seclion," which would inevitably op-
. crate 10 lis own destruction, | cannot see
Y The wisdom or The consistency Of making
6 an effort, through southern Convention
!. or olherwise, 10 save a form OF Govern
o ment whirh contains within iiselfthe seeds
o of IFS own destruction.
]. II cannot be forgotten that during the
Il recent presidential canvass. the friends
e of our present national Executive recon-
l. Imended his election not more on the grount
: Of his high personal qualifications than BIZ
n identity in views and interests with thu
s. section Of his birth and residence. II wal
,f conlended. and. as I think justly, that
n bound 10 the south by the strong ties o
,f interest and affection. he could not. will
h the constitutional stay in his hand, permi
d our rights TO be trampled upon by ruth
y less majority. see no reason TO chang
D. that opinion, and so far as the advocacy Q
N an ultra constitutional Temedy might b
n construed into the retraciion Of that opin
le ion. certainly cannot consent TO u. u
is The contrary. | entertain all confidence
r that General Taylor win oppose, wit
IN native energy and resolution. every en-
croachment upon the sacred bulwarks Q
ii the Constitution; and if il be urged that III
:. Executive veto is no " enduring check. !
4. so, reply, is no act Of, or failure 10
re- fenact by Congress, and so more particular
- ly must be the resolutions or enactment
h. of mere evauescent body, like the pro
posed southern Convention. Nothin,
humans enduring" but under the smile
!, of Divine Providence, may we NOT hop
!" for comparative stability in the provision
!. !. Of that compendium Of human wisdom
= = the Constitution Of the United States!
y y You direct my attention. gentlemen
: 10 certain resolutions by the Legislature
: !. of this state. If bv these resolutions !
: was intended to endorse THE Southern
:. Convention scheme. and that The Execu
!. !. live should take part in securing repre-
:, = senlatlon, il is unfortunate that the lie
= = gislature entirely omitted 10 empower mi
: :. 10 this end. or 10 prescribe anything il
:. reference 10 the selection Of delegates. II
l. The absence Of all legal or constitutions
!" y provision on this subject, cannot
!" consistently with my views, take upor
myself the high responsibilities You sug
Egest.
s. Let the people Of tne southern states
u look to The energetic action of thei
i state' governments 10 guard and rrotec
le their rights aud interests, and let the
u members in both halls Of the Congress o
p the United States, with prudence. wisdom
e and manly frmness, meet and resist every
is attempt 10 break down the guards ant
o. compromises Of the constitution from
.. whatever source il may come, and wher
Z driven from the last trench and beat dowr
le by brute force, regardless Of right ant
IN Justice, and The bead Of the Eyecutiv,
y !" Department Of government can or-wil
!" "noi arply an enduring check"-wher
~ !, all the barriers and defences ofthe Consii
~ tuition are beaten down and The soutf
III shall be deprived Of her equal rights unde
y the confederation then will those whc
! have brought about this state of thing.
I'd have incurred the guilt and shame of thu
wanton destruction of this beautiful form
n of government-ihe admiration of III,
~ world. and the last refuge and hope o
e civil liberiy-and upon their heads viii
ut rest the curse. Then can you return tc
ed your constituents with clear conscience
n assured that the honor, liberty and welfar,
lst of our beloved state have been properly
N defended, and leaving to the people ant