The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-13
DAHL
Debates in the southern Convention.

We in the South, he said, have for years been
engaged in planning schemes for party aggran-
dizement, and it was time for this to cease. Men
should speak out what they felt Let the rights
OF the South be really infracted and he did not
know the Southern States or the humbest man
in the ranks, who would not come up and face
the politicians. He was willing to have margin
enough Incorporated into the report to suit the
views of gentlemen who might wish to address
the people, but he was for decided measures.
lie would advise every Southern State to 90 to
moulding bullets, casting cannon, and filling
their arsenals, if need be, in order to defend
their rights Was he a disuniononist The
4 Union, he would say, could not be DESTROYED,
\ but he was not for tame Submission! The Union
4 was dear alike to all North and South; and if
The people Of the North loved the Unionas he
dld, II would be preserved. but, every man,
woman, and child, south-cf the Potomac, was
4 willing to die for their rights 1t seemed to re-
solve itself into this at last-if he did exactly
know how much to ask for in the settlement of
this controversy, he could get what be SO desired.
the Almighty knew he would ask for Just that
much and no more ...- 50. & t,..ssg
MIR. c. illustrated his position by humorous
story In substance-that fellow in Georgia
had purchased new pair Of agallowses," and
wished for an opportunity to display them. At
muster, therefore, he pretended he wished to
hight, Gin order to get chance to pull off his
coat) But it proved to be a fight, sure enough,
and the mover OF it got whipped Mr.. G. hoped
the Delegates had not come to the Convention
to show their "gallo,cses - He did want any
lodging either, and he hoped that every delegate
would take the responsibility and come out over
his own name in what he did
he was briefly and handsomely replied to by
Messrs. McRae and Stuart of Mississippi
Mr. Pickens regretted the necessity of tres
passing for few moments on the attention OF
the Convention. He hoped there would be more
harmony than appeared. The gentleman from
Alabama, by Inference, charged upon the Con-
i vention plans of disunion Mr. Hunter ex-
plained--he did not intend to be so understood I
His friend from Georgia, (Mr Colquitt) had been
arranged for some of his sentiments. What
reason had the gentleman himself to suppose
/ that he was invulnerabe! What waters had
he been dipped in which rendered him so If
there was any spot so distinguished it was near
er the other extremity Of his person than his
heel. Why did not the gentleman point to the
views OF other men who had made aggressons
upon public rights? Until lately the ship of
State had sailed along smoothly with nothing to
endanger the rich treasure with which she was
freighted. How had things changed! Some
strong hand must grasp the helm or she would
be driven upon the most dangerous breakers
"Oer which the sorrowing sea-bird had sung
/ Was the Union to be saved by timid resolves
to be saved by measures engendered by foul and
| leporous fanaticism? He was here to save the
| Union, and he would not give fig for our Union
without the Constitution. What were the prin-
ciples of the Resolutions of 1881 That the Union
Of the States was compact-that each State ac-
ceded to the compact What follows! Why
IL Il 4 CyI u = LII q -
that each State, in the last resort has the right
| peaceably to secede from The Union If the Con.
4 vention dispersed without unanimity, was moi
each State compelled to act for herself? il
4 all were united, did any believe the Union would
be dissolved? The people of the fifteen South
ern States look to us to declare their rights
and attend to their interests. With all acting
together the Union never could be Dissolved
Take middle and halfway course, and it nigh,
be. There were some States where men dare
4 not make these questions mere matter of party
/ Act together and there was no need of an ap
peal to arms We could appeal to public sent;
ment-to the people, looking boldly to secession
as the last remedy to sustain our rights Thi
was conservative and would make the govern
ment pause. r.. 70. ,.. .,-. ..s.. : ..rFe.sy
4 Give us a Union protecting our rights, ant
we would spend the last drop, of our blood Il
i defend it. He could not bow to the god OF
/ fanatacism with its leprosy. He called this u
conservative body, but if we could not preserve
our rights, he was compelled to appeal to re-
sort to arms, which the gentleman from Ala
.blma so much breads. The remarks of that
gentleman were so much the reverse of all with
which he conceded, that he was compelled to
] speak. He apprehended we were about to set
in motion here, principles of the highest impor-
4 lance. Did you ever, Mr. President in leaning
over the bow of steamer in the Mississippi
think Of the little rivulet far away amongst the
!. hills, over which the hunter earelessly stepped
and from which the wild deer drank. Follow
4 it out, and what was the mighty result, wit
messed? --.-.. >--5a.f. ..,.. ...s......
1t might have been observed that South Caro-
Ina had taken but little part in this Convention
They had met here at the invitation of MISSISSIPPI
pi, younger but gallant State. She had led on a
! great occasion and she would lead again. Let
| her place her line again ever so high, and they
Of South Carolina would be with her They
asked for nothing more than was honorable
they would have nothing less. .
REMARKS OF Gov HAMMoSp--Gov. Ham,
mond said, that as one who had acted in trying
to get the address through the committee, he
perhaps ought to- speak, and he should endeayor
| to answer objections in the calm temper and
| spirit which had characterized the address of
Judge Sharkcy, who had just spoken. The com
mittee had a hard duty to perform in the great
mass of matter laid before them. He did not
feel disposed at the present stage of the question
! to say what should be done. The sole object at
this time was to unite the South. What was
to be done--what looked to! Why, to the ac-
/ ton of Congress on the Compromise bill now
before that body, as the remedy for all the
wrongs suffered by the South 1t was of no
consequence who permitted it--men of the
! North or South Every thing dear to us was at
stake, and were we TO stand trembling on the
verge of ruin, awaiting the pleasure of this or
/ that member? The committee were anxious TO
conciliate ALL were anxious to put it in such
form that all might be pleased but no PROPOSE
tons could be advanced TO which some men
/ would not have to give away, and after twice
considering all the matter before it, they had
presented what was now before the Convention
lie was never more astonished than he was to
hear gentleman of the wide reputation of the
gentleman, from Mississippi, say that it was I'M
! constitutional to examine into measure before
| Congress OF what grievance do we complain