North Carolina standard., 1851-01-15
SPEECH OF HON. WILLIAM B, SHEPARD,

OF .PASQE0TANK,
Delivered in the Senate of North Carolina January
3lst. 1880 in reply TO Messrs. H2ughton and Gli
n1ef-upon the rights of Secessto0, Revolution, DC
Rssoists That the Constitution of the United States
il ccapacc between sovereign and independent States
ana all powers Dot thCresa delegated are reserved to th
ates rcsssctiSely tst among the attributes of
eighty retape 6y the several Stses mat OF watching
Over the operations Of the General
tecng their citizens from unconstitutional abuse or he
hand, and securing to them on the other strict iu
men of the obligations imposed by the Constitution
upon n1he General Government
R.soIpsa That the people of North Carolina, as an
orrnnaed political community, have the right to SEE
ccdc Of withdraw from the Uuion whichever majority
of The penpIe ia CoRyentfnu -sssemhlet shall decide
withdrawal necessary to protect their property or persons
from unconstitutional and oppressive Legislation by the
General Government; whenever ty the failure of the
General Government to fulfil her constitutional ohliga-
kons the people of the State may deem such step
ssary in order the enjoyment othe rights tvi-
leges and protection guaranteed to them hy the Cons
ton of the United States: and in such e1ergercy
majority of the people of North Carolina acting hhugh
the Organized authorities of the State would be entitled
the sole and undivided allegia of all her citizens
The above Resolutions of the minority being be-
fore the Senate COMMITTEES Of the Whole Mr. She
Pard spoke as follows:
1t was my intention, Mr.. Chairman, at the COM
mencement of this debate 10 have remained silent,
and 10 have permitted, far as concern e The
Report and Resolutions of the minority speak Tor
themselves. They speak plain language-one which
which cannot be misunderstood, and am glad they
do 1t is time public men and our Legislative
documents should cease 'to pater in double sense.
I would have adhered this intention, had not
fonnd my humble efforts frequently alluded to by
gentlemen who have spoken, and my previous re-
marks misunderstood and misapprehended:
At the commencement of the session, NJ. Chair
man. felt il nv duty to lay before the Legislature
series of resolutions involving what thought the
rights and duties Of the people Of North Carolina.
These resolutions referred to joint select COM
it,ee of both Houses and altho believe there
ntinI oI hptI q
majority OF the committee and myself, the nmJorI-
ty preferred reporting back the Senate series OF
resolutions which aim at reaching the object which
desired in mne-not along the highway of nations,
which is open and free TO all, who have the boldncss
and courage to enter upon IT, but through bye-wayS,
over hedges and dtches in which many of the parties
will finally be swamped, and never perhaps reach the
object desired.
Let us, Sir regard for a moment the present
diIion of the Southern country. To my mind it pre-
sents most mela ncholy picture, one which fills me
with fhe most gloomy fOrebodings. 1t is no pleasure
10 me to speak on this subj, do with the great
est reluctance. Viewed in any manner in which
it presents itself to my mind, regard the question
OF negro slavery it affects the future condition not
only of the State but of the whole Union, as the
most deeply interesting and difficult problem which
can be presented to ihe mind of man. | should des-
pise myself coald l for moment be willing to con-
meet this great uestlon, involving the condition. the
happiness, and existence itself Of millions Of human
beings with the rise and fall of pares either in the
State or Union. No Sir, wish to God had polit-
ical influence TO induce the people oil North Carolina
look at this matter solely and exclusively State
saues:ion-not as Democrats or Wings, but in
telligent community of freemen, intrusted with the
future welfare of untold thousands of human beings
who must look to them and them alone, for counsel
and protection, amidst the difficulties and dangers
which an niudicious management of this great ques-
ton must unaVoidably bring upon them.
There is weak and silly practice INDUCED in by
many persons who whenever this great and perplex-
ing subject is referred to, instead cf seeking
dy for its solution content themselves with tre and
insane eulogiums of the Union. Were physician
called TO visit patient whose symptoms indicated
the approach Of dangerous and fatal disease
tent himself simply with eNtavagant praises of the
blessings and benefits of health, the patient would
probably die and the public wonld think the doctor
a quack. What, them should they think of those po-
-itical Ph-sicians who cannot avoid knowing that
vast majority of the non-saveholding States hos
tile to the institution of sayery-that this majority
has or will shortly have undspuled sway over
the general government, and yet these political doc
tors prescribe nothing but Union, Union
We all admit the Union TO be IA great blessing. as
peace and harmony are infinitely preferable 10 coun-
sion and disorder but the true question for "A sensi
bic man to decide, is this Union most likely to be
preserved :and Perpetuated by tame submission to
injustice and wrong. or by bold and unqualified as,
serton of your rights and duties Were the South
people united among themselves, there would be
infinitely less difficulty in settling this question:
Gould all the States interested in slavery lay aside
for time their petty party squabbles. and eternal
quibbles upon the meaning of The Constitution. and
in Convention assembled demand from the other States
such amendment Of the Constitution as would pre-
ven forever all political agitation of this subject we
would have no more trouble with il, and the whole
country would 60 on in harmonious careerof hon
and prosperity. But unfortunately Sir, disunion at
home and union abroad seem to be our melancholy i
fate: OIL may buy off for time Northern aggrps-
sion by sacrifices to union, but you will obtain
permanent tranquility by such course The hardy
and pandeng Gaul periodically returned TO the uates
OF Rome as long gold offered him for his for
bearance, but when the sword of the patriot was !
thrown into the scale which weighed the tribute he
learned to cease his dePredations. So it will be with
these Nor hern fanatics the suhieci osdvtry They
will cease their aggressions upon the nsti,u-
tlons of the Sonth untiEwe convince them, in the
most unmistakeabie manner, that we mean to de- !
nd our rights with those and resources which |
ttMGod of nature has placed in our possession. And
tS";nnless the people be rallied 10 this defence
aunnedhe authority of State institutions and State
fence. ~ " J u0-
nave IT the least particle of hope for the South
rom dny a>on of Congress The result of the last
ei e.e, "ou, | should suppose, convince every i'm
P,!"' '"11 NJ we have nothing to hope from that
q"dlter' we I'VE lost in every struggle upon that
arena, and must ,Iways continue to do so. Snch
s,e ar pow "eiit influences of wealth and power
~ " Asn'hg'on' iIaeone of the sturdest champions
VI H cru ts"'s d. interests have become sud- !
my ano unacconntab convinced that we ought to !
,u aneu dho contents with the late COMPROMISE
although we lost all IDtenJ.J for ~ G - !
the struggle commenced. 9'' ''' ""'''
- .eAas' Wu'ca got Ito the Union ragged
made at Washington by bribe o. iIIia J, :.
gentleman, and lectures with the.o., hs; 80 -
Prety upon the beauties of Union "a 49, 1In.sI; pr
toni proving beyond doubt and l. ,ba 49,, ~