North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-02-12
REMARKS OF MR.. SHEPARD,

l, NJ Sell Edwsrds as a substitute for those
reported by the COMMITTEES and having hke"lse re,
ected the second Resolution OF the minority Whc"
affirmed the right of secession ds belonging u ~
State of North Carolina,
Mr.. w. r. Shepard spoke as follows: feel en-
barrassed Mr. Speaker, in voting for the Resolutions
upon your table-not from any intrinsic olcuy =,
the Resolutions themselves, but an embarrassment
arising from the action of the Senate itself. Inc
Resolutions on your table, which have twice received
the sanction of majority of the Senate anc are now
upon their third readng, assert, or IN tne WORDS o
the Resolutions declare explicitly that IN the opln-
ion of this General Assembly. North Carolina tUOUd
and OUGHT to regard entirely inconsistent with her
longer continuance in the Union, the abolition Of
Slavery in the District OF Columbia by Congress.
without the consent of the slavehodng States, and
Incompatible with their safety and interest; any
act of Congress prohibiting the citizens of one slave
holding State from removing their slaves any other
sIaveholding State; or the refusal by Congress to
admit into the linen, State, any territory be-
longing to the United States, on account of the ex-
stence OF the institution or domestic Slavery within
its limits; or any act Applying the dangerous and
mischievous principle ~ the Wilmot proviso to the
territories Of Utah and New Mexico; or any act when
repeats the recent act for the reclamation OF tugVe
slaves, modiies the same essentially to I'M
pair it's efficiency and usefulness" Here. Sir, a
majority of the Senate have twice declared by their
votes, that upon the happening oil certain eVehIs'
therein mentioned " North Carolina would and ought
to regard as entirely inconsistent with her longer
continuance in the Union. Yet. Sir, this same ma
orty in the face of this declaration have solemnly
voted that the people of North Carolina have no right
to secede or withdraw from the Union. Here, Sir.
is a gross and palpable inconsistency; position of
absurdity and disgrace. in which am not disposed
to place either the people the Legislature of North
Carolina. Here is secession asserted in the most
odous form the people told they ought to con-
slider certain events inconsistent with longer con-
tinuance in the Union, and by the same orty, they
are told they have no right to withdraw.
To my Wing friends on this side of the House. a
large majority of whom have been the active agents
in bringing about this absurdy, would ask, what
has become of your horror Of the principle of seces
sionl Are you only against secession. when 1t is
proposed leave it TO the people to decide the mode
and manner, but like il well enough when juggling
politicians decide the question What possible
good effect can these Resolutions now have, should
they pass the other House in their present shape, and
90 forth as the voice of North Carolina Suppose
your Representative in Washington present them as
your determined resolve; will they not he rold that
you have stripped your thunder of every quality but
noise. in denying 10 the people themselves the only
effectua right of selfprotection and defence? Do you
suppose they will be ignorant there, cf the character
of your deliberations here, that they will attribute
the lame ard impoent conclusion at which you arri-
we'd, to any other motive than fear Sir these abo-
litoniss have too much sagacy not to penetrate the
real motive, behind all the passionate ebnllitons Of
patriotism and love of Union which have been uttered
The people of North Carolina will doubtless be
very much astonshed at the result of your delibera
tons, should the truth reach them. unadnlterated
by some muddy channels in this City, through which
il is compelled pass before it can be laid before
them. They will then be very much surprised to
learn that the whole OF this uproar from simple
proposition refer the people themselves. the mode
and measure of redress, whenever their rights and
privileges were assaed. They will moreover be /
nstonished at the unfarness with which the subject
has been argued on this floor 1t has been treated
this side of the House. simply question of dis
union, and argued if the Legislature of North !
tO nff
not only without the knowledge of the people, but |
with entire disregard of their wishes.
Should the people of North Carolina ratify the !
opinion expressed by majority of this Senate; should
they declare the world that under no crcumsar
have they right Withdraw from the Union. the !
existence of negro Slavery is doomed its extinction
will commence from the promulgaticn of this opinion
IN extinction in which neither this Assembly their
constituents will be consulted. Sir, you may threat /
the North with your rebellion revolution; they
know we'll enough that it is an empty threat they
know that the non-saveholders who constitute large
majority of our community, will never incur the pains
Ind penalties of rebellion for any body's negroes
But, Sir, although they mil ht Justly scorn admit
themselves rebels, still every true of the State
would rally around her banner, should she call upon
him to assert her sovereignty and the supremacy of
Ter law. Let the people then beware how they ratfy
he opinion of this Senate. and declare that North /
Washington, and that she has parted with all right
self-deence and protection, as organized polit
al community.
have however, Sir no fear of the decision of the
'eope of North Carolina, shonld this question the
rgued before them. The advocate of hopeless SUBJ |
mission would receive but little encouragement be-
ore such a tribunal; tribunal which would not !
ave the fear of party or newspaper denuncalion be-
ore their eyes.
Mr. Speaker. could have for a moment supposed .
hat this great question, deeply interesting the
,eople of our State. would have been discussed in /
he manner it has, would have been the last man |
n this assembly to have brought it before them. l
supposed from the agitation which generally existed
N this subject of slavery-rom the attacks which are
constantly made against the institution from abroad,
which all admit to be alarming and dangerous in the
highest degree-if there subject earth which
his assembly could discuss without party bias, Or
,arty feeling, this was one. thought when a reme-
ly or protection against the acknowledged dangers
was proposed The hrst and only question would be,
praciicable-is it efcen-will answer the pur-
lose designed!
And Sir, could any honest and candid INQUIRER. free
rom the mist and prejudice of party, for moment
hesitate between the safety and security of pro-
ection this institution, under the sovereignty of
he State, to that of unorganized. undscpned rebel
ion or instruction The who doubts upon
nch subject has but poor knowledge of human ma
ure of those motives and reasons which nstiuate
nd guide the actions of the great mass of mankind
This thing is perfectly understood at the North and
ence IL Is, such clamor Is raised against the doc
rlne of secession. They there know perfectly well
hat it is the only eectual shield against the Fed
raj Government, when that Government gets into the
ands of the aboitioDists, it doubtless shortly
will be. They know that nothing but fear of dis
ouon of the Union, will effecfually rouse the man
# property the North to serious and eff
orts TO put down abolition any other fanaticism
Take away all fear of dissolution OF the Union
leny TO the people of State a right to Withdraw
rom the Union under any crcumstances-destr0Y
he sovereignty of the States-make them mere cor
and oh IF oi1i n