North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-07-16
For the STANDARD.
MR.. VENABLE IN 'YANCEYVILLE,
~ 7CAswrLL CouNr7, Joly 10. isst,

l.
MR.. VENABLE IN 'YANCEYvILLE
CAswELL CouNTv. July 10, 1851.
Mr.. HOLDEN: We were pleased 10 see the Hon.
A. w. Venable on Tuesday of our July Court. He
appeared In fine health and spirits, although much
ailgued by his late hurried trip to Princeton College,
Where ne addressed the Societies at the Commence
ment, on the last Tuesday in June.
There was much anxiety amongst the people of
Caswell to see him and hear him speak upon the
great questions which have occupied the public mind.
Mr.: Venabe had been prevented by late distressing
ahlcon from addressing the people of this county at
an earlier day and there had been efforts to dssatisy
The people in reference his opinions. Many efforts
had been made by the Wing presses in the district
and some out of It, to bring out Democratic OPPOSE
ton against him on the ground of his position the
measures mlsnamed the compromise. He had been
called disunionst, a secessionist--one who lived
N North Carolina and represented South Carolina,
until some uneasiness felt lest he should be
fairly understood and that such repeated msrepre
sensations might mislead who would not take
the pains to ascertain the truth.
1t was with great pleasure, therefore, that he
greeted by his friends; and he Immediately responded
to their request by addressing the large assembly of
the people. who came together to hear him speak.
He told them that he and always had been the
friend Of peace-that he had desired all times
give repose to the public mind, and settle the sa-
very and territorial questions TO give satisfaction
by doing Justice. He had voted for the Clayton
promise with that view, which referred the whole
matter TO the Supreme Court of the U nied States.
ihat measure received the concurrence of all the
Southern State rights in Congress, including
MIR. Calhoun. 1t passed the Senate, although oppos
&c by Mr.. Badger, and defeated in the House by
eight Southern Wings, two of whom, Mr.. Boyden
and Mr.. Donnell, were from North Carolina. That
compromise saved the honor of the South. 1t was
defeated by the vote of some, who now, when all is
lost, shout Union and Compromise, and denounce all
who d'sapprove of the late of surrender
disunoniss. He showed that the late measures were
no compromise-that all the South obtained was the
acknow Judgement of constitutional rig ut In the fu-
gi,ive slave bill-an empty, bare acknowledgements,
a he 10 Or IN
Texas and the recognition OF the right of Congress
to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia for the
violation of police regulation in offering slave for
sale. were surrendered that the dock yards, forts,
and arsenals in the States could be placed under the
same law whenever Congress choose to do Still,
he declared his purpose acqaesce as long North
Carolina acquiesced-sad he never was, and is not
now nulliher, but acknowledged his obligation to
obey the laws of Congress as long as North Carolina
In the Union and commanded her citizens to obey.
He asserted the right of secession, and proved that
Jefferson Macon and the whole republican school of
99 and 'e9 asserted the and that this was the
distinction between the republican and old fed
era party. Mr.. VenabIe said that he dsapProved of
separate State Observation-Disclosures such action mex
pedient and productive of mischief and hoped that
better counses might prevail but that he tet in his
heart sympathy for those who were resentng an in
jury, and Indignation against the wrongdoers.
He denounced with whitening severity those Sou
thern and Southern presses who directed all their
censures-all their rebukes upon South Carolina, and
spoke, either not at all, or in terms Of apology of
Massachusetts and Vermont, Ohio, and other North
ern States, who violated and resisted the provision of
the Constitution for the recovery of fugitive slaves.
He said that such men belonged 10 the enemy, and
ought to 60 there and be numbered amongst them.
Whilst he asserted the right of secession he said the
only remedy for present grievances was union
among the Southern States who, if they spoke with
one voice would yet be heard, and the Union founded
on the Constitution preserved that the only differ
cnce between him and those who denied the right al
the South was that they claimed the right of revolu-
ton, and thereby became traitors-he claimed the
right secede, and of committed no treason.
If taken prisoners they would be justly hung. by their
own admission. He would be treated as prisoner
of war. If they who with consent declared that
they would fght if the fugitive slave law was not
carried out, slavery abolished in the District, pre-
ferred 10 ght with the rope about their necks it
matter of taste and he would dispute with them.
Mr. Venabe proved that he had carried out the wish
of both the last Legislatures expressed in their
resolutions and voted for by Wings aud Democrats,
and of the Democratic Convention which nominated
Governor Reid; and that they could not complain.
am able pursue this interesting speech furth-
er but the effort of signal ability and fully
sustained the former deserved reputation Of Mr.. Ven
able first rate speaker.
The Speech was excellent, received well and high
ly praised it told we'll, making old friends faster and
winning new In fine. Tuesday, the first day of
July, fortunate day for friend Venabe, for since
then have heard desire expressed for opposition.
Yours respectfully,