The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-25
Mr.. Rhstt's Disu nien speech.

Mr.. Rhstt's Disunisn speech.
W. entirely concur in opinion with tho
Southern Pres that ",hs argument Of spi,hsr
and ",he appeal 70 popular Prsjudiess" are
emo tests Of truth" and that any "sttsmpi 70
stifis" Mr.. RHErr's "eOnviotions' by "vits-
rsration" would be utterly idle and impo-
tent" We readily conceds. also. that. a "a
free citizen Of a free Republic. he has the un-
doubted right Of giving uttsrance to his honest
convictions" But. in exercising this right,
he renders himself amenabls Ut the bar Of pub
lie opinion, and subjects himself to the public
reprobation. if the convictions uttered by him
be ofa character to deserve and call i, forth.
"We are yet to learn that the free and open
expression Of individual opinion" in regard
to tho uttered and published sentiments Of
Mr.. RHErr or any other man in the country,
lis to be denied to any citizen Of this Rspub-
lic-or that gag 10 to be forced into the
mouths Of freemen." How are Mr.. RnKTr's
opinions, and the act be meditates and recon-
mends, to be discussed, without the applioa-
ton 10 them Of such terms ~ will best and
most truly characterize thcm2 Ahd how can
we better or more appropriately and truly char
actorizs the "convictions" 10 which he has
given utterance, than by calling them "sraitor-
ous2" How % we'll describe the act Of which
he eounsels the perpetraton, ~ to call II "trea-
sonr How more correctly and properly con-
vey true idea Of the author of such opinions,
and tho adviser Of such act. than by tho use
Of the simple word "traitorW Mr.. RHn1r
counsels disunion He we'll knows that peace
able disunion is impossible, and that ''disunion,
BY armed force, 10 treason" He knows that
the object he has in view and openly recon-
mends can only be accomplished BY the levy
ing Of successful war against the United States.
When We say Mr.. Rusrr hno.cs these things,
we but presume that he is q man Of intslli-
gence.
The people of the United States will not per
otherwise, Of one or moro Of the States com
posing it. In selfdefencc, they will suppress
any such attempt, nj all hazards.
Tho people themselves OF the slave holding
States will not permit it.
When, therefore, Mr.. RHsrr counsols dis
union. he counsels civil war and all its hidsous
consequences.
And FOR what For any existing oppression.
extreme and intolerabls, laid upon the South BY
the North2 For any interference on the part
OF non-slsveholding States with the institution
IN the slaveholding Sutssa No, The South
10 going on prospecting and to prosper. and every
STAKEHOLDER il in the quiet possession and unre-
stricted use Of his slave property. For what
reasons, then, We repeat, do Mr.. RHnrr and
those who coincide in opinion with him desire,
and counsel, and plo, tho dismemberrnoni Of this
glorious U nion7 Because says tho Southern organ
in this city, che believes return 70 rhe principles
upon which that Union was founded 10 impo.si-
ble;" or, in the language Of Mr.. RHnrr himself,
because, as he alleges, the Government "docs
not fulfil the purposes for which il was intend
ed" These are vague Generalities. We wan,
to know what practical grievance, what real.
actual injury the South is now laboring under.
that calls for the violent and revolutionary rem
cdy proposed by Mr.. RHrrr. Can he not give
us something more tangible Why, yes. The
North won't grant the South equality in the
Territories acquired from Mexico. That is the
main ground upon which disunion is threatened.
To this, we have to say:
|. The North, both pertic. concurring, dis
tinotly notified the South, by word and by vote,
before the territory was acquired, that, il 40
quircd, slavery would and should be excluded
from it.
2. The Wing party, North and South, did
not desire. and opposed with all their might
il. acquisition.
3. Notwithstanding this, the Democratic
party ~ the South, to which Mr.. RHIrr be
longs, insisted upon its notwithstanding il
sbundantly in their power 70 prevent IL. had
they chosen TO do 10.
4. The Democratic party at tho South know
at the time that, by the existing Mexican laws
slavery was excluded from The territory, anc
that, in tho opinion ofeninen' jurisis, ihoss law
would continue in force afer the acquisition
until they should be repealed BY the compeson
authority.
5. Knowing this, that party committed them
selre. 10 the doctrine Of non-intervention BY
Congress. in regard to slavery in the Terrific
ries.
6. Before the territory was acquired By irea
ty, Mr.. II. j. WALLER, Mr.. BUonArAr, and
General Ca,,, labored to prove to the country
that, in the event Of its acquisition, slavery
could never 20 beyond the Rio .Gnnde, because
it vss forbidden by law" and "the people
there ro,id nevcr consent IL re-estdbish IL.
7. The Democratic party at the South sup
ported General CAss for the Presidency, h,
holding and proclaiming the opinion that thu
people Of the territory, through their Torritoria
Legislatures, would have tho right to continue
the exclusion Of slavery, and that they would
certainly exercise that right.
8. Were the 'partition line Of thirty-slx de-
gree, and thirty minute, adopted by Congress
with "the distinct recognition Of the right Of tn,
two sections Of the Union to enter and ooloni,e
the portion. assigned TO each, ," the only efyec
would DO to establish an additional free State