The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1850-06-01
SPEECH
OF
IL O N. J a Nj $ l.. ORR
SI'IIIIi I'll
coNTINuED FROM FIRST rAGE.1
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
On the Slavery Question.

E.l
In Kentucky the average wealth of each i'll
Ii ,bitant, free and slave, Is s3l0; whilst
that of Ohio is but 227; Pennsylvania
$2l0; New York S22s. And, sir the pro-
ductions Of the slavcholding States will cotfi-
pare E,torably with the non-savcholdinr.
The advantage will be found to be largely
on the side Of the former in the value of
those productions. The South produces
more Indian corn, and the North more wheat,
but the South has n complete monopoly, by
soil and climate, in the production of cotton,
sugar, rice, and tobacco.
The value of these four crops tho last year
exceeds $l25,OOO,OOO. But compare the
productions of individual States. Michigan
aud Arkansas were admitted into the Union
about the same time; Michigan is one of the
most 1ourishing of the north western States,
washed on three sides by navigable waters,
and enjoying an extensive system of inter
nal improvements and her crops last year
yielded to e;tch i,rhaLitans Ssi SO. The
crop"of Arkansas yielded to each white ir,-
habitant Sl0l; and if the slaves are counted
as persons, the value of the crop was
ssl so for each inhabitant; 80 that the
production of Arkansas, with a fertile soil.
though not genial climate, nearly treblcs
that Of Michigan.
Mr.. Chairman, I am adnonisLed that ,rh
hour is drawing rapidly to Il close; there
fore return to the subject from which di-
gressed. longer than l intended. Whether
slavery be Il sin or not, is a question with
which this government has notlfihs. to do.
1t is recognised by the Constitution, and pro-
Foot fo tho f,,tl T. L
IT sinful, therefore, and feels a moral duty
dcSolving upon him to extirpate it, should
capdidly avow himself disunionist and
seek to dissolve this supposed sinful alliance.
1t, on the contrary, he is ready to abide bv
the Constitution, in letter and spirit, then
his warfare against slavery is ended-he
must ground his arms and cease to agitatc.
1t is matter of indifference to us whether
you consider slavery right or wrong; we
alone must be the judges of its blessings and
its curses. We do not complain Of your
abstract opinions on that subject; but it be-
comes aqucstion of the protvundcst interest
to us. when you make your abstract opinions
on the morality of the institution the basis
Of your political action.
The abolition feeling in the North is
founded in religious fanatcism-its votaries.
like fanatics in every age of the world, are
guided neither by religion, morality, nor
justice. The Scripture argument in favor of
slavery is unanswerable; but still argument
never reaches the understanding or con-
science of the fanatic. The history of the
Crusadcs, which involved Europe in blood
and carnage, well illustrates its folly and mad
ness "i;ei kings and nations We'd with each
other i'll their benevolent and Christian pur-
pose OF expelling the Infdels from the city
of Jerusalem. When the phrensy of mad
ness sears the brain, reason the great helm of
human action, fails to control its motions ::
and here is the great danger of abolition
The masses may be sincere but when they
attempt to enforce, as they are now doing.
a sopposed moral obligation through roliti
cal channels, without regard to the rights of
Others, or the supreme law of the land, cool
headed and discreet men must rise up in
the majesty of their strength and crush it,
or consent to give up our institutions and
be crushed by it. Fanaticism is not often
stated until it has gorged itself with blood or
ruin.
The dangers to the Republic every one de-
slres may be averted, and the union of these
States preserved in its prcstinc purity. 1t
IS endeared to us by thousand ties hallow-
ed by the memories of the past, and excites
III the mind emotions little short of yenera-
ton. desire it to be preserved, but it must
be preserved in its purity,if if it is worth pre-
serving at all That man is the disunionist
:who will trample down the Constitution and
destroy the rights Of the States. I have
spoken plainly, sir, of the perils to which we
are exposed. l know that my section of the
/ Unioh;is deceived and deluded as to tie
true situation of. this