The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-21

expenditures of money have been mostly in the
northern States, Mr.. PERRY says:
1.-The situation and different pursuits of the two
sections Of the country have influenced these APP
preparations in a great measure. They have at
the North dense population; they a
commercial and manufacturing people, and have
better and more extensive ports and harbors than
we have in the southern States. They are me.
chanical people, and build all our shipping The
southern people planters and farmers, and
have not directed their attention and wealth to
these northern pursuits
"But, Mr.. Chairman, shall we dissolve this
Union because we cannot always control the Fed
eral Government, and the appropriation and ex-
penditure of its revenucs' Shall we dissolve the
Union because are not commercial and man
ufacturing people, and have TO call to our aid the
skill, energy, and enterprise of northern men to
build our ships and man them, to import our goods
and furnish all the machinery and manufactures
which we or the Federal Government may need in
peace and in war; Shall dissolve the Union,
because by divisions amongst ourselves we permit
the power and patronage of the Government to de-
part from the South? Had wo not better change
our policy, and manufacture our own supplies,
import our own goods, and build ships,
and man them with southern men? Had we not
better be united amongst ourselves, and devote
more OF our energy and talents to the improvement
and developing the vast resources and hidden
wealth Of the southern States?''
Mr.. PERRy considers the question whether
the institution of slavery be placed on a
better footing by separation between the
North and the South. He AYERS that never,
since the formation of the Union, has slavery
been safer, more valuable, or more extensive
than now. For the professcd apprehension that
the free States will alter the Constitution, so
as to abolish slavery in the States, he declares
that there is no just cause, and adds:
"Let suppose the Constitution altered, and
that Congress should be mad as to attempt to
abolish slavery in the States, how could such a
scheme be carried out? Would the act of Con-
gress setting our slaves free be obeyed? Could it
be enforced! We had well suppose that Con-
gress would send an army here to take from US
our lands and houses. The would be east
ly accomplished as the other But it would be
exceedingly unwise to dissolve the Union under
an apprehension OF danger which is not likely to
occur. The folly would be almost as great as for
a man To cut his throat in order to keep from
being killed in battle. We should not be con-
stantly alarming ourselves as to imaginary dan
gers. 1t is enough that prepared to meet
them when they do come.
81 regard the dissolution of the Union as the
most fatal blow which slavery could receive. No
thing could crafty the Abolitionists more,
tend more to the accomplishment of their wicked
purposes We now have the protection of great
and powerful nation, at home and abroad. We
should then have weak and petty Government,
incapable of defending our rights against foreign
aggressions, and the sympathies of the whole civ
Ia. IL -
stealing off, separate and alone, as they do,
would go off in gangs to the North, and the from
tier States would in short time be without slaves!
Restoration then would be out of the question.
Now the guarantees of the Federal Constitution af
ford some protection
Mr.. PERRY then adverts to the impossibiity
of the separation of these States without in
curing the horrors of civil war. After the flu
rious rhetoric with which this point has been
generally treated in South Carolina-breathing
in every word of bullets and bowie knives
seeming to gloat over the prospect Of ''fre,
famine, and slaughter''-it is refreshing to read
such sentiments as the following:
"The great object of our State, and of all the
southern States, should be PEACE The blessings OF
peace have made what are, protected our in
n
nations of the earth, which attracts their envy and
commands their respect and admiration If any
one doubts that peace at home and abroad ia our
policy, let him read the great speech of MIR. Cal
houn on the probability of between Great
Britain and the United States about the Oregon Ter
ritory."
cit will not answer, as i have always said, to
break up government every time it goes wrong.
We should be in constant revolution, like the
people of Mexico-a prey to foreign nations and
internal murderous strifes and connections. Nor
do think that patriotism requires like the honor
Of the duellist, that every wrong insult should
be wiped out with blood We are Christian PEG
pie, possessing the principles of peace and forbear
ance, and do not think il becomes such people
hastily involve their country in all the horrors Of
civil war and bloody revolution. Circumstances
may occur, however, which will render such war
necessary and proper, even for Christian people
Let inquire if such be the present state and
dtion of our country"
Mr.. PERRY then takes up the Compromise
measures of the last session, and refutes the
assertion that all, or any Of them, furnish a
Just cause for dissolution of the Union. OF
the Fugitive Slave bill he speaks as follows
"The Fugitive Slave bill was likewise conces-
sion to the South, drawn by southern man, and
made stringent any the most devoted south.
ern man could require. This is certainly some
manifestation the part Congress and the North
carry out the guarantees of the Federal Constitu
tion II is said, however, that this law will not be
enforced, and that it will be repealed Let me cay
that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
When that law is repealed the death knell of the
Union will be sounded. There will be no division
then of the South. All the saveholdng States will
be united. This Union of the slave States will pre-
vent its repeal. have not the slightest apprehen-
sion on this subject It is said, too, that this law
will not be enforced in the northern States. have
no doubt that it will be evaded in many instances
All laws are. But it has already been enforced in
good faith in several instances, and promptly en-
forced. The President of the United States has de-
clared his purpose of enforcing the law"
=
''In regard to the enforcement of the Fugitive
Slave bill, it may be question, and grave ques-
ton of policy, whether these runaway negroes
ought to be brought back into the southern Staes.
They bold, daring, and intelligent fellows, or