The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-24
Speech OF the Hon. X. Is. Rhett,
Delivered at H,banian Hall, in the city of Charles
tom June 81 1850.


Fellow CIrIz9ss; THANK you for the frank and
cordial reception you have given this night;
and propose To evince my gratitude In the only
way in my power, by laying before you free and
truthful exposition of my opinions ON the grave
matters which have assembled us together The
time has arrived, when it becomes the people Of
the southern States no longer 10 deprecate, but 10
| face, with unbienching front, the dangers which
they should demand all the aid they are capable of
impartng, to enlighten their councils and guide
their determinations. Without reserve, or fear
propose To speak to you to- night
fully assent to all which your immediate repre-
sentative has said, and well said, with respect
| to the Nashville convention. We assembled under
the frown of the whole North, and Of the partisans
Of all parties in the South, which looked to the
| North for afhliation and support That sympathy
which was given man by kind Providence, 20
daunt and battle oppression, by Leading TO the
side OF the suffering and oppressed, we found
our own homes, perverted against as; and, whilst
| hushed in its arrangements of the North loud
| in its denunciations OF all those In the South who
| looked beyond oppression for redress. Conven-
tons in the North to take into consideration the
institution OF slavery in the South, and the most
edectual means of overthrowing it, have become
| common, as to be matters OF oourse, without cen
! sure or condemnation; but, when portion of the
people OF the South, driven by long course of per
secution, and insult, assemble together to counsel
for the defence OF their dearest interests and honor
they are denounced even in the South; and every
effort Ii made TO cover their convention with con-
| fusion and failure.
Gentlemen, the Nashville convention did meet
it counseed, it united. The breath Of the people
which gave it life gave it ALEC strength and unan-
unity. Its effect was in nothing more remar kab!e
than in the change of opinion and feeling it appa-
| rently produced on the people Of Nashville and the
Tennessee delegation. Instead of GOODNESS and
alienation, we received the warmest hospitality
from the generous and noble people of that bcaun-
fu city; and the Tennessee delegation, whilst min
istering in every way to the accommodation Of the
convention acted with the utmost forbcarance and
dignity, and finally gave to all of proceedings
and measures their unanimous support. The toast
Of Governor Brown, at a dinner given by General
Pillow and himself to the delegates of the conven-
ton, declaring that in five days the Tennessee del
egation were brought into line, shows how prevous
nlistrust had been changed into confidence. These
were the results not OF article, refined policy
but OF simple truthfuness and manly frankness
amongst southern men, comforting face to face upon
the rights and wrongs of the South The proceed
ings VI the convention reflected the spirit of its men,
bers 1t was prepared to concede any thing but
principles. These it laid down with distnctness
and firmness, exposing the constitutional rights to
which the South enttled-equality in the
Union, equality in Territories. hut if the North
refused that equality (Which constitutes the bond
of the Union itself) in Territories, and insisted
upon putting the Constitution aside then, for the
sake OF peace and the Union, the convention pro-
| posed that the South should accept, extreme
concession, a partition of our Territories On the
Missouri compromise line of 800 80 parallel ofnorth
| latitude.
BY this line the North would get three fourths of
| our Territories; but it had been twice before
sanctioned by those who had gone before us, the
honor OF the South was at least saved by the propo
sition But the partition the convention proposed
was not in the words of the Missouri compromise of
1922. That compromise took place with respect to
territory, over which slavery existed by the Loui-
sinna purchase. Ii merely prescribed that North
of 800 80 slavery should be prohibited but il said
nothing with respect to the admission Of slavery
south of that line. The reason was obvious 1t was
not necessary to cay any thing, because the whole
territory was already slave territory, and slavery
would OF course be admitted wherever it was not
prohibited. But the fact is directly the contrary
to the territory We have lately acquired from Next
co. When acquired slavery did not exist through
out this territory. The convention therefore pro-
posed, in the partition between the North and South
on this line that there should be distinct recog-
milton OF the right of the two sections of the Union
TO enter and COLOMBO the portions assigned to each.
The admission of slavery should be distinct on
one side Of the line it's exclusion on the other.
Not only our equality and honor required this poll
cy, but the peaceful enjoyment Of the portion
signed to the South rendered il necessary. Truly
falsely, it bad been boldly asserted by some Of
the ablest ursts and satesmen of the country, that
the people of the South were excluded by the laws
OF Mexico from entering any portion Of these Ter
riories with their slaves.
1t was not proper, when setting aside the Consti-
tuition TO effect arrangement, to leave any doubt
ss TO Its elect on either side of the line proposed.
Nor would the words used in carrying out this line
through Texas, IN the resolutions OF annexation,
SUIT the emergency. These resolutions contem-
plated the admission OF States. They do not apply
10 countryin a territorial condition. New words,
therefore, suiting the emergency and the condition
IN which our Territories are placed. would be
cessary to carry out the terms of rtion proposed
by the convention. Whilst thus laying down the
"extreme concession" which the South should
make with respect TO our Terrtories-the conven-
ton repudiatcd and condemned the measures pend
ing In the Senate of the United States called "the
compromise" IL condemned them, not only be-
cause IN effect they surrendered every thing 10 the
North, but because southern men supported the
surrender. The South, struck down by the arms
OF her own sons, would find it difficult to rise
from the blow. Putting aside all other methods of
adjustment, the convention presented to the North
the fair and simple slternatvc-cqualty in our
Territories under the Constitution, partition Of
them beside it,
Fellow citizens ii is matter Of the gravcst inn
portancc TO 10 consider whether either of the al
ternatves proposed by the Nashville convention
Will be adopted by Congress. Will equality in
our Territories be conceded; and, If not, will the
North divide with US our Territories on the limo
proposed IL either Of these alternatives shall be
enforced by the Legislation OF Congress, all danger
TO the Union, from the question OF slavery in our
Territories, will be over; although the subject Of
slavery tscf would still continue, in other FORMS
to DO agitatcd in Congress, and in the northern
States. The convention was unanimous in pro-
renting these alternatives; but | cannot but sup
pose that a great deal Of unanimity sprung
from the belief that the North would yield US
or the other Of them, and would not persist in the
unjust and insulting prctcnson Of selling all Of our
Territories for themselves. IL was understood that
the most distinguished statesman of Pennsylyania--
vor of the Union and the constitutional guarantees
on which IL ress-bad expressed himself in favor Of
the Missouri compromise line Of 80 80, extending
TO the Pacific ocean, as a method of adjustment,
which the South should demand and the North
should yield. II Pcnnsylvania could be brought 10
aid the just demands Of the South the controversy
could be brought to speedy and peaceful end.
Such views, doubt not, influenced the convention
IN coming to their unanimous conclusions. But IL
they shall not be realized, the unanimity Of tho
convention may by no means be guarantee Of
unanimity on Interior measures We, at least,
should not be deceived, and thus be weakened by
false expectations. Truth is strength and wisdom.
Let us, therefore, boldly look consequences in the
face, and bring our determinations up 10 the most
probable results.
And fret, will the Sennte's compromise become
alaw' Certainly not, think, in the present state
OF Things. When the true nature of the measures
1t proposes comes to be fairly understood by the
people OF the South, its sdhercnts in Washington,
from the South, must relax give up that support
they have heretofore extended TO IL. But should il
pass the Senate, IL cannot, am satisfied, pass the
House of Representatives. There the anti-slavery
bigory OF the North most prcdominates. II will
take nothing equivocal even in appearance, but de-
mands the WilInot proyiso in Territorial bills or
the Wmot provso in the constitutions OF States to