The southern press., 1851-09-06
speech Of Gen. Gilbert.

SpceGu VI Geus OllUcrts
Mr.. PRESIDENT gentleman called at my
room few moments ago, and informed me the
Democratic convention here assembled desired
me to address it.
Unexpected as the ca II is, | have, of course,
made no preparation to meet it. Nor am
aware of the subject on which my views are de-
sired by this honorable body. When entered,
there was matter before the meeting, and fear
my presence has been an interruption. But | am
prepared, Mr.. President, to give my humble
opinions to my fellow-citizens at any moment,
touching any question legitinately within the
area of debate.
repeat, do not know what line Of remark
should follow in obeying the fattering call
made upon me. The great questions of national
policy that have divided parties since the early
days of the republic, are familiar to ALL and their
discussion could be of little interest here. The
intelligence of the country has passed upon
them, and it were a fruitless task to disturb the
Judgment thus pronounced. 1t was wise to look
to the future in the affairs of life.
But there was one subject, the discussion of
which was peculiarly appropriate at the present
hour. No man could shut his eyes to the fact
that this country was nearing yawning abyss
70 tentous clouds darkened the horizon, and
casuists could not deny that the future was preg-
nant with alarm, for the true patriot. 1t was
sef-evident that deep-rooted feeling against the
peculiar institutions of the South, had grown
with the growth of certain divisions of the
country and strengthened with their strength.
The little muddy rill had swelled into an ocean,
threatening the beautiful South with the fate Of
the cities of the Plain. She had endured long
and weary years of wrong, and had been van
quished in every conflict for justice Coming
into the Union on terms of perfect equality,
the Southern States are now powerless in conn-
Gil, and can present record of perfiiy on the
part of their enemies the free States of the North
and West, revolving in the last degree. Was
this humiiating s'ate of things to continue
unto the end Must we endure, until we dis
appear from the earth, Northern aggression and
insult! In frequent conversations, for he had
not heard the matter publicly discussed in this
State, he had been told that the compromise
must be taken as security for the future, and
that il was wrong TO agitate the subject now.
The poor South, bleeding at every pore, must
not speak of her wrongs He had seen man
ifesto issued from Washington, and signed by
large number of members of Congress, calling
upon the country not TO "agitate" this matter
Of Northern aggression Ii threatened every
man who had the temerity to think and speak
upon broken faith and false protestations, with
baDfshment from the perfumed chambers of
Office The South must bear her Affections
without n ihurmur; it Is her duty to suffer, a
crime in her - "agitate," to speak, to remon-
strnte, when she feels the iron enter her soul
j. there n man here who can believe there
will be a spontaneous cessation Of this war upon
the South! Is it possible that this mountain
wave Of iniquity that has swallowed up every
=. n, ~
are politically weak and defenceless? Having
met with no reverse, from her first attack upon
us 10 her triumph in the compromise, is il reas-
enable 20 suppose that our enemies will stop
now In their fanatical career? No, no! The
lion makes no terms with the lamb. If | could
be assured this cessation of hostilities was not
ilusory-ifI dared to hope time would evolve
for the South brighter day-strong as my
feelings are, would say to the North, take all.
but LET US alone. Take California purchased
with our blood and treasure, take New Mexico.
take everything we should hold in common, and
we will bear as best we may the keen shafts of
your past malignity. But can reasonable men
believe that power so long victorious will be
listless now, when the road TO fresh conquest is
before them! As well may we except the
hound Of Cuba, when tssting the blood Of its
victim, 10 permit IL TO depart in peace, as to
suppose that this sweeping tyranny Of sections
would pause short of the full accomplishment
Of its Internal mission. Men who can pursue a
systematic course Of wrong for near half cen
tnry, will be slow TO renquish the darling
object Of their cold hearts, when their last effort
meets triumph perfect, complete.
Yet we are told we must not "agitate"-our
lips must be scaled Such language could be
thundered by the Autocrnt Of Russia into the
trembling ear Of serf, but in the land Of Wash.
ngton il was insulting, nay, contemplate. Not
agitatc public wrongs. Had such monarchial
sophistry rs this obtqined mastery in the days
Of our colonial bondage, the stars and stripes
would not now wave on every sea, and command
the admiration Of a world. II vas an object near
his heart, TO see this matter freely discussed by
the citizens of Louisiana. We had been taught
by great father Of the Republic, that the price
Of liberty was eternal vigilance We should
meet together as brothers and counsel upon the
grave questions that may soon, too soon, per-
haps, force themselves upon our consideration.
lie yielded 10 no man on earth in attachment
to the Union, but he wished that II might be such
Union as the Constitution contemplated--such
a Union as the founders Of the Republic made
and beaucathed to us. lie would pour out hia
hearts blood FOR the Union as il stood in better
ana happier days, oased upon Nlgnt, Bqualltl
and Justice. But we should be careful in nscer.
tanning il the great work ofthe men Of the Revo.
luton has not changed It's features and proper.
tions. We should take heed lest manly and sens.
ible reverence for an instrument ofhuman design
does not lead to an imbecile dread, and blind
superstitious idolatry for this work Of wisdom
Born in one extremity ofthe Union, he had spent
many years in another, but wherever his lot
might be cast, he trusted God would confide q
his keeping the power 10 discriminate between
a substance and shadow.
Before he concluded his brief remarks, the
honorable gentleman said he would again i'm.
plore his fellow citizens TO reason together upon
this vital question Of Northern aggression
They should decide In their own minds what
course they would take when the day Of tria
came upon us. lie remembered when
boy to have seen on militia flag in a little
town, these words Of wisdom :--"In time o
peace prepare for war" five acted wisely, We
would place ourselves in an attitude 70 meet
and to bear up against the storm when IL should
burst upon US. The crisis, he believed, was