Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-29

We recall these historical facts to give
full insight to the patriotic views and pre-
sent position ofthe distinguished Ex-Speak-
err, as set forth in the subjoined speech.
which we see copied approvingly in the
Union, the central organ of the Democratic
Party at Washington. We have taken the
liberty to italicise portion of the speech
with view to call the readers special at
tention to Mr.. Cobb's evidence against the
policy of electiDg those democrats who de-
nounce the Compromise as unconstitution-
al and degrading to the South and yet pro-
fess to be willing to "acquiesce" in that
measure. As Mr. Cobb says, "men must
cooperate cordially and upon the convic-
tons of Acknowledgement, or they can do no
good"
From The Sarannah Republican, May l6.
MIR. CObb's Speech i'm Savannah.
We have already remarked, in our issue of yes
terday that the Hon. Howell Cobb was greeted at
the Athenaum, on Wednesday evening, by one of
the largest and most intelligent audiences we have
ever assembled in this city. There was no
packing. reinforcement of bows outsiders, and
no effort to procure large attendance and yet
there more intelligence more men of character
and influence, and enterprise, present than we have
been accustomed 10 witness at political assemblages
in years past. IL was compliment eminently due
the distinguished ex-Speaker, and he evinced his
appreciation of it by the plain straightforward and
manly manner in which he responded to it. He
made effort at display-he said nothing for ef
tprt and nf lfg rf.sl
ton Of the action Of the government in relation to
the compromise measures, the action Of the Gcor-
gia Convention, and the organization Of the Union
party.
Having been introduced by DR.. Arnold in a few
| appropriate remarks, Mr.. Cobb proceeded in the
first place, to review in general way the
embraced in the Compromise. 1t had been charged,
he said, that the Compromise WINS aggression by
the North upon the constitutional rights Of the South
This he denied most emphatically. The position
of the South, far her constitutional rights were
concerned was better now than il had been for the
last quarter of a century. While he could not have
approved of some parts of it sngly, yet u choie
a compromise of conflicting views, he considered
it wise, liberal, and just all parts of the country
IL was not aggressive upon rights il violated
provision of the constitution !; and it in no way
affected nuriously the honor the interests of the
South. Men should not expect-t was not Just to
expect-that all their wishes should be carried out
in a compromise where the most conflicting senti-
ments and obdurate prciudices to be settled. 1t
is not right to expect to yield nothing, and yet to
exact everything. Such was not the policy of our
fathers. The federal government, he commended,
compromise; the constitution a compro-
misc the Union was compromise republican,
ism itself a compromise. Compromise was
written upon everything. 1t was seen everywhere
in society," in government, and in all the varied
and wide spread qualifications of life. II upon
IL 4 =. A II.
the government had been predicated; and it was
upon this that he stood there to defend and sup
port that action. When men had arrived at that
point where they were unwilling to concede any
thing to the views and sentiments Of Others there
could be no further government. Anarchy and mis-
rule must take the place of law and order, and
ciety be resolved into its original clements.
While the speaker admitted that the immediate
danger passed, it would not be just to those
whom he addressing, or to himself, to disguise
the fact that there many bitter opponents in
all sections of the country Of the action Of the gov
ernment, and fcvcn the government itself. AT the
North there were men-inielligent, influential, and
sincere-who charged that the government had sac
rihced every northern principle at the foot of south
power; while at the South there were men, G.
qualy intelligent and sincere, who charged that not
only the constitution, but southern interests and hon
or had been offered up OH the altar to appease nor
thern abolitionism. These men occupied directly
opposite positions, and yet they were warning upon
the government for the same That ruin must
come upon the country it either party was permit
ted get control in its section was too evident he
thought, to require anything but the simple state
meH' Of the fact to put all the true friends of the
Union on their guard.
In this connection, the honorable gentleman re-
f rred to the recent action of South Carolinu. He
desired to speak of that State kindly and respect
fully, as was his nature. That she had determined
to strike blow for disunon was evident from the
action the late convention in Charleston the
ment of her public men, and the of her press
cs and clubs. While he hoped and believed she
would moi secede, he was convinced she was at this
time resolved to do and that it required the ex-
ercise of great prudence and forbearance by the
general government and the Southern States to pre-
vent it. There were three parties in South Caro-
ina-the immediate secessionsts the ultimate Sc
cessionists. and the Union men. The first for
dissJlving the Union at once, and by themselves
the second, more polite, more calculating E.
qually determined to accomplish the same end but
they were in favor of "tarrying for "A moment' in
order to secure the cooperation of other Southern
States the third were friends ofthe Union, on the
principles Of the Union party of Georgia. The Sc
cond party he considered the most dangerous be-
cause it the most polite. With them dsunion
chronic disea sc-with the first it was inflam-
matory. These two parties were equally bent up
on the destruction Of the government To carry
out this purpose, they had rendered the "lead" in
the dsunon movement to Georgia. The compli-
was grateful. yet ii had been firmly declined.
1t evident that, in rendering the 'lcad," it
was done only on the condition that Georgia would
tread in the path which South Carolina would point
out for her. But Georgia had marked out path
for herself-a straight and honest path such her
Judgment approved of; and she would not permit
herself be delivered from it, either by the attery
or threats of States at hand or those at dis
tance. She had taken her position, and there she
would stand let other people and States say and do
what they please.
Mr.. Cobb said he could not find appropriate terms
to express himself in regard the Georgia conven-
ton. 1t had, under trying circumstances perform
ed its whole duty-it had drne right-and its action
was but the entering up of the judgment the peo-
pie. Hewould say He rc1tly beiered that Gcoy-
gia had sarea The Un,on. Such was the belief else
where. She had excited the admiration and respect
of the patriots of all sections of the country. So
just, dignfed, SO wise, had been her conduct that
he doubted vast and increasing majority her
sons would continue to uphold and defend it. Yo
he regretted 10 say that his soutan-rights friends
(of rkom he spoke nth the utmost kindness and re-
spoct) uere differently disposed. Many ofthem de-
noancod The action ofthe contention, mhie others Of
them professed a disposition 10 acquiesce IL, 'humi-
iating as IL was." He mouid not call into question
The sincerity patriotism Of such men; vel he coud
not beiiere hat Union could saky rely upon their
assistance in maintaining measures or a government
nhich had "hamiiiatod' and .'aisgracoT" fhem. Men
must cooperate cordially and upon lie conric,,ons Of
their Judgments, or Mcy couid accomplish no good
He farcd, too, that thc people Of Georgia Should by
htir rotes dera.c sarb party to pore-a rar.y ms
'hnmaidted" and dissafisfea-a ,could not Be long,
horcrer differently its members may fhiHk ,opr, before
they wo4id place hemsefres IN sympathetic eommuni-
eaton nth S0uth CaYosina, and rih her, strife for
disanion. Here lay he real danger. Georgia must
be true to hersef-true to her own action-or the
Union might yet be rent asunder. She must fol-
low the path she had marked for herself, reso-
lutely and 10 the end and it would conduct her to
safety and greatness. She competent to take
of herself and did require the aid or advice
of any State, here elsewhere, which might apply
for letters of guardianship. He did believe that
Il.