The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-13

position which affairs had assumed, and Of the course
which defence of her own honor and interests re-
qures the South to pursue.
The organization of the meeting will be found re-
ported in the official proceedings. The address OF
Mr Potter, taking the Chair, was. indeed, lucid
and expressive, and the short speech of Mr.. Toole
was appropriate and to the point. Daring the abb
sence of the Committee on Resolutions, Mr.. Reid
was called upon, and responded In an eloquent ad-
dress of twenty minutes in length f0rcibly
counting the series of insults and aggressions to
which the South has been subjected, and showing
the necessity of united action at the present time
After the presentation of the resolutions, Hon.
Robert Strange-who had attended the meeting at
the written request of several of our most influential
citizens of both partes-being called upon, made
most eloquent address. 1t was such an address as
might have been expected from Southern states
man and friend of the Union, and met with the un-
anmous approval of the meeting indeed, we have
heard but one opinion expressed in regard to -that
it was just what it ought to have been-just what
resolutions based upon love and respect for the
Union. That every one felt that if the threatened
aggressions upon Southern rights were carried into
effect, no earthly power could prevent dissolution
Southern man. not recreant to all honor and prin-
cpe, could ,oish to prevent it. That, therefore, it
behooved the Southern people, if they desired to
preserve the Union intact, to take such action as
would tend to prevent the consummation of measures
which must inevitably result in disunion. He be-
lieved that nothing but the exhibition of firm and
united 'front.' on the part Of the Southern people,
avert this calamity. That it imperative duty
to adopt some means for the promotion Of union and
concert of action this crisis and that means ap-
peared likely to effect that desirable end the
holding of the proposed Convention at Nashville, to
be composed of the midest calmest. and best men of
the South, who could speak authoritatvely to the
North, and present to them the uAimatum of the
South-the final issue upon which the Union must
stand or fall. He spoke in terms of enthusiasm of
the Union of the States-of the proud name of an
American citizen-of the glorious recollectons OF
common country and a common origin-and painted,
in vivid colors, the terrible consequences of disunion
which he prayed God to avert, but which he said the
South must be prepared to meet, if she were not will
ling to be sunk into the state of colony or dePen-
dency of the North. He believed that there was yet
patriotism among the people of the Northern States to
repudate the dictation of fanatics or demagogues,
and preserve the constitution by respecting its COM
promises. He felt that it most painful crisis,
but he had few fears for the result.
In conclusion, Judge Strange took occasion to ad-
minister well-merited rebuke to those demagogucs
at the South, we'll as at the North, who, in order
gain little petty popularity, willing to array
one section against another, and to denounce every
man who does not reside in the same section with
themselves. Such men. more dangerous than
open enemies. The South is in the minority; her
sole reliance is in the constitution Is she, then, to
reject with scorn, or treat with cold distrust, the
proffered friendship of any man, sim ply because he
happens reside North Of Mason and Dixon's line,
and does not entertain the views on the subject
of slavery that she does! Certainly not. The ques-
ton should not be-Is friend Of the South or
of the institution Of slavery. But is he friend of
the constitutions he willing to abide by its COM
promises-is he ,UilIng to let alone? Unquestion-
ably an incacolable amount of injury has been done
to the South by the indiscreet hoheaded zeal of
some of its real nrofended friends.
The ball is now in moton-the people have taken
this matter in hand-and we feel certain that the
meetings held in Duplin and in this County will be
responded to throughout the length and breadth of
the State. Even those who might, under other cir
cunstances, have entertained doubts in regard to the
expediency of holding Convention, are convinced
that since the other States of the South have moved
in this matter, it would not do for North Carolina to
stand aone in apparent opposition, and thus strength
en- the hands of her enemies. WI. Journal.