The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-28
speech Of tins Hon. w. Is. Shepard.


speech OF tins Hon. w. Is. shepard.
This gentleman. on the 9th of November last, dev-
cred long and elaborate speech in the senate OF North
Carolina, in which, among other things. he takes occa-
sion TO misrepresent in very unfair terms our whole
relation 10 the agitation the subject OF slave.
~, which has been shaking country from the centre
10 The circumference. The accompanying paragr aphs
contain all thatwe deemt essential 10 notice. We have
accidentally overlooked this matter, should have
attended to il earlier We will observe in the first place
that this very curious specifications for lis facts its
opinions, It's philosophy, and its prophecy; for Mr.
Shepard is both prophet and the son OF prophet
His views the subject OF slavery very tenacious
and Of the thorough school; and yet such are the
singular freaks Of human reason and human eloquence
that the abolition paper in this city, the National Era
quotes them fully establishing the policy JUSTICE and
necessity Of the doctrines Of the freeso party We
must frankly confess apprehensions that such de-
camatory farragos Of mandy pamby philosophy as Mr.
Shepard's will do the abotionsts more service than
dozen George Thompsons and Elder Parkers He
seems TO be light, fancfu man, who never rises above
the learning and judgment of sophomore wranger and
who talks at random subjects of which he is pro-
foundly ignorant We could not possibly express for
him kinder wish than that OF BUNS:
''Wad some power The gifc gle him
lose himself as ithcrs see him"
He would attempt to make another speech on 40 i'm
portant sabject as ths-a least for some time
He OF incorporating the true state of pub
lie opinion. recprocally the North and the South and
Of being influenced by considerations of private interest
in obtaining lucrative printing jobs about The purlieus
Of the Capitol" II is almost pity that SO fine story
should not be true, bu, constrained to de-
stroy this fancy sketch. 1t is very obvious that Mr.
Shepard faithful reader OF the Southern Press and is
indebted to that usaeious organ for his facts and his
memory for his wit Ia this particular he is more I'M
lucky than Sheridan, whose imagination stood god.
father Tor his facts instead OF the Press II matter
Of some surprise to that ythng anybody having
the semblanee Of politician could be found mpudent
enough to coin such facts, TO repeat them as true
We have Tor years been engaged seasoa and out of
season in endeavorng to impress upon the North and the
South mutually the real state Of public opinion in each
section. and the dangers likely result from it We have
permitted no occasion to escape of npressing these truths
our readers. We have hardly itaed paper without
some facts admonitions the subject in which we
have nothing extenua,ed nor set down aught in NAL.
ice" We have published the plain. unvanished truth
and yet charged with deception and want of del-
ser,s unqualified end unmiiigated blunder! word
as TO interests debating conduct in this affair
As have not pursued the course imputed 10 u.s. this
reason given for il is simply groundess and absurd But
look at the TRUTH! We have vital interests pending be-
fore Congress and yet the abolitionss and free soers
are mos, bitter and applicable floss They are without
shadow Of turning, adversares And yet according
to those wise like Mr. Shepard. we have been ca
erng for their votes about the pureus of the CAPITOL
We have certainly gone work in very unucky way 10
gain them This single fact shows the utter fasi,y and
malevolence OF this charge or insauaen. or whatever
name il may deserve Among all the imputations cas-,
upon us. we believe we have no, yet been denomi
mated quite fool--and until we are, such
charge as this will find few honest believers
Mr. Shepard may have been misled by the in
huence OF others, and in charity we will sup
pose that such is The fact We now submit to our
readers the justice OF the allegation that we have not
faithfully represented the Of public sentiment, at the
North and the South Those who have read our paper can
tell whether every day conhrmag in both quarters
what we have repeatedly declared We have proclaimed
That the South would stand upon the Compromise
although some Of its ingredients were dstasteu TO her
and that it, violation disregard would arouse spirit
OF resistance that could be queed Is not this true
We have told the North that the Compr mise must in
all its paris, be faithfully executed or the South would
not be satisfied. Is not this true We have said that
The disposition Of the people Of the North was becoming
more favorabe--thst i,s great dormant masses were
awakening 10 the dangers OF this agitation and that
when they did, abolition would be checked in it's career
Is not Tins 'rues Look at the facts that are constantly
occarrns they all demonstrate its truth No doubt the
Massachusetts coalition and one or two other indica
tons, are to be regretted and severely rebukcd bu,
they, in fact, originated months ago, and are now
giving way and yielding to the paramount force
OF pubic opinion. There is much 10 be done in The
North YET to extingnish this abolition fana,icism and
none but the people OF the North can do IL We
trust they are strongly impressed with hi. oblipa-
non and the duty ii imposes. and tba, in a reasonable
lime they will listen to the voice Of the constitution
and oil patriotism. Al all events. circumstances warrant
US IN entertaining this hope In this great crisis we
nave sought TO do whole duty to the South and 10
all other sections Of the country. We may have offended
some who expected Too much little. but we have
aushed our own conscience and the body Of honest
oool-healed. patriotic men, This reflection consoles
" Tor whatever wrath the fana,ical and the violent
may pour upon devoted head Sometimes Of course
and we now may say frequently, we receive indica-
tons Of very di6ersn, charactera. for example by
The last niehra mail. The following letter from an en-
'ghNned and COMMISSIONED citizen OF Illinois
u heartily approve OF the you have taken on