Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-22
MR. CORPS SpEECH

We learn from the Republican that the Hon.
Howell Cobb was greeted on Wednesday even
ing last with one of the largest and most intelli-
gent audiences ever assembled in Savannah. He
spoke in plain, manly, straight forward man.
Ler, in vndication of the action of the Govern
ment in regard to the Compromise, the action of
the Georgia convention, and the organization of
the Union party.
His remarks on the subject OF compromises
strike US as eminently just and practical. 1t has
been fashionable for the aAbo itionsts and Seces-
sonists to denounce compromises as being of ne
cessity the willing abandonment of some portion
of the right on both sides. This is the view, we
believe, taken by Mr.. Seward in his recent let
ter to the Temple Place Convention in Boston,
But Mr.. Cobb took the ground that no man had
anght TO expect that all their peculiar views
should be carried outin the conflict of opinions
and preiudices-that they can exact everything
and concede nothing. He dwelt upon the fami-
liar idea that the Federal Government itself is a
compromise, the Union compromise, the Consti-
tuition compromise, and republicanism a COM
promise. "Compromise,' he added with great
truth and telicity,"s written upon everything
it is seen every where, in society, in government,
and in all the varied and widespread qualifications
oflfe. 1t is upon this just and universal princi-
pie that the action of the Government has been
predcated; and it is upon this that stand here
to defend and support that action. When men
had ARMED Athat point Vhers they we're I'M
vting 10 concede anything TO the uieaos and seni-
nleas Of others, there eouldbe no further govern
ment, Anarchy and misrue must take the place
of law and order, and society be resolved into its
original elements"
or South Carolina, Mr.. COBB spoke with great
respect and kindness, but expressed the belief
that she at this time resolved to secede and that
it would require the exercise of great prudence
and forbearance by the General Government to
preventit. There were three parties, he said, in
South Carolina--"the immediate secessionists, the
ultimate secessionists, and the Uni men. The
second party he considered the most dangerous,
because it was the most polite. With them dis
union was a chronic disease-with the first it was
only inflammaory. These taoo parties uere equal
ly bent upon the destruction Of The Government. TO
carry cut this purpose, they had rendered The lead
in the disunon movement to Georgia. The COM
pliment was grateful, yet it had been firmly de-
clined. 1t was now evident that, in rendering the
lead it was done only on the condition that
Georgia would tread in the path which South Ca
rolina should point out for her. But Georgia had
marked out a path for herself--a straight and
honest path, such as her judgment approved OF,
and she would not permit herself to be diverted
from it, either by the tlattery threats of States
near at hand, or those at distance She had ia
ken her position and there she would stand, let
other people and other States say and do what
they pleased"
On the course of Georgia the speaker bestow-
ed the warmest, and to us it seems the most we'll
merited eulogium. She had excited, lie said, the
admiration and respect of the patriots Of all sections
of the country. So Just, so digniied, so wise had
been her conduct, that he doubted not a vast and
increasing majority of her sons would continue 10
uphold it. "Georgla must be true to herself" he
continued, "true TO her own action, or the Union
might yet be rent asunder. He did not believe
that South Carolina had the right to leopard the
institutions of the South ty her hasty and ill-ad-
vised action. Other States were equally interest
ed in those institutions, and she could not, in JUS
tice to them, take it upon herself to decide upon
such momenlous issues, and drag them down with
herself into the bottomless pit of revolution and
disunion. For one he hoped that Georgia aOould
give her TO understand so far as aoe are concerned,
that she need look for aid or sympathy from This
State in her efforts to operthrov the Government.
We may regret the course she had marked out
we may even sympathize with her-but nothii
more. We can never raise orr hands against the
Union for anything in the past"
Mr.. Cobb deprecated the formation of sectional
parties, whether. they be called Southern Rights
or by any other denomination. Organize such par
ties at the North and South, at the East and West
--let them meet in the halls of Congress--let each
insist SAT all hazards and to the last extremity"
that it is right and the others wrong-and he did
not believe the Union would endure one month
Itcould never survive the bit lerness, the hatred,
and the violence which such state of things
would engender.
The spirit ofMr. Cobb's remarks must COM
mend itself to the prudent and patriotic of all
parties in all sections of the country. His pro-
LESSONS of love and attachment for the Union
coincide with his conduct He does not, with
the cry of Union on his lips, pursue policy that
will inevitably rend the Union asunder.
Washington Republic.