Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-11
SPEECH OF HON. w. s. AsHE,
OF NORTH CAROLINA.

DeHpcTeQ House
1859. -, ,r,
The House being in the Committee of the Whole
on the State of the Union on the Denclency Dill
Mr.. AsHE said: ,,os.
the committee, is to make exclusively a poltca
speech and l would for this purpose con
sumo your valuable time if it were not for my oesl1
to make personal explanation. This indulgence
conceive, will be the readily granted me- as i
isth first time durng this session have claimed te
attention OF the committee for object not strIct
and properly under consideration 1t is well KNOW"
Mr.. Chairman, both here and at home, that a"i an
humble, but uncompromsing adherent and advocate
of the creed of the Democratic State-Rlghs scnoo''
and that have always believed and maintained ma
the preservation Of the political INSTITUTIONS =, -
country depended upon the development, !" -
full force and vgor, of the principles Of niS pay.
Under the influence of this conviction ana u0uo
insgated by truly flial love tor Inc o'de' ,
l in part represent hesltated moi; euli"k .o 10
Congress, to throw myself in opposition 10 ~'"r "oe
been misnamed the compromise measures lleie' "
those heterogeneous bills reported 10 tne SENATE ny
the compromise committee. SO hoslIe ueein nc
these measures TO the constitutional rights OF the
several States composing this Confederacy; so un-
iust oppressive and insulting, TO the people rep
resent, that if / know myself would rather nave
seen the roof of this noble Hall fall, and In lis fai
crush every member of that Congress-, than that they
should have become the laws of the land.
But the will of Congress determined otherwise !;
and odicns they were, they have become ihe SCI
tied laws of the land and in conjunction with them,
as Precipitation for the offended dignity and invaded
rights of the South Congress passed what IS Hho" u
as the fugitive slave law. The practical value OF
this Law never very highly appreciated hui Regarded
it more in the light of an experiment, by the opera
ton of which, a valuable tombstone, we Gould test
Northern feelings. By it could judge whether
the Federal Constitution the dictates OF the hlgher
law to govern and contlol our Northern TRENDS.
This view of this law was not peculiar TO me or 10
the South. On the contrary, highly distinguished
and worthy patriots of the North considered 1t IN the
light and hesitaed not to grapPie with the Po-
ltcal monster, the hydra, the higher-law principle,
with both sword and seeihiDg iron. The monster lash
ed and struggled, but his struggles were rather the
commissions Of death than aspirations for victory ST.
the South owes debt of gratitude to those great pat
riots. care under what banners they may range
themselves, will always acknowledge the oblga-
ton.
1t was the force of this feeling which induced me
some months since to vote for suspension OF the
rules, in order enable my worthy friend from In
diana Mr.. Fitch to introduce his compromise reso-
lutions, though strongly opposed to either House
of Congress passing isolated resolutions. either for
the purpose Of affirming or dsahrming the ettclen
cy Of general laws, ye under the circumstances. my
sense of duty would not allow me to act otherwise
although, subsequently, when resolutions on the
same subject were offered by my honorable friend
from Georgia, Mr.. Jackson with the amendments
of his colleague, Mr. Hilyer, l voted against each
for each were devoid of any recommendation which
would justify me in sustaining them. Neither OF
the two latter could be considered extension
of the right hand of feiIowship-as the offering of
North. Sir, was slow to believe that any revoIu-
ton had taken place in Northern sentiments on
this subect but recent developments have satisfied
me that, under the vigorous blows of the friends Of
the Constitution, auaicism has been made to " lick
the dust"
Among these developments, the action of the late
Democratic National Convention in Baltimore is Of
itself overwhelming. Personally. desired no addi /
ton 10 the platform of 1914 and 1913 to be adopted
by that body. They were sufficient it adhered TO in
good faith 10 insure protection to the ghts of the
States and this is all we demanded bot Northern
friends said, :" No, have fought the great battle
we have overcome the enemies of the Constitution,
and the result of our victory want incorporated
in national platform Sir, such an appeal, when
addressed TO the generosity and patriotism of any,
even the NEST ultra Southern man, was irresistible.
was the fresh laurel of glorious victory feel
ngy wound aroun1 the bleeding heart of the South.
II was assurance that the doctrine of the State
Rights Republican party has regained its ascendency.
Sir, l will read 10 the House few Of the resolutions
constituting this platform:
9. That Congress has no power under the consti-
tuilon TO interfere with control the domestic nsti-
tutons OF the several Sates and that such States are
the sole and proper judges of every thing apperain
ing 10 their own affairs not prohibited by the cons
tutlon that all efforts of the abolitionsts or others
made to induce Congress interfere with questions
OF slavery or take incPien steps in relation thereto
are calculated TO lead to the alarming and dang.
erous consequences and that all such efforts have an
evitable tendency diminish the happiness of the
people, and endanger the stability and permanency of
The Union, and ought not to be counenanced by anv
friend of our political institutions.
Res0rtd That the foregoing proposition and
was nded TO embrace the whole subject Of slavery
agitation In Congress, and, therefore, the democratic
ra'ty OF the Union, standing upon this national plat
orin, Will abide by and adhere 10 faithful execution
u the acts known the compromise measures set i
LED by The last Congress-the for the retaining
u tugltIves from service labor included which act
icing to carry express provision Of the
constitution, cannot, with fidelity thereto, be repealed
n so changed, TO destroy or impair its efficacy O
Resoced, That the Democratic party will resist all
uempts at renewing in Congress out of it, the b
gtatlon OF the slavery question, under whatever "
haPe OF color the attempt may be made. e
These resolutions clear, persbcuous and forci-
lie. No skeptic doubt their meaning No State u
Sights patriot can deny their truth. But however S
tongiy their intrinsic merit may demand our adm- e.
laIon, the most unparalleled unanimity by which II
hey were adopted by the Convention representing
$ II old the Democracy of every Northern State O
houid disarm US of all opposition. Although not Il
eegate, was present at the Convention and occu-
ylng most favorable position for both hearing and
eeng feel no hesta ton in saying that ont Of the is
"o hundred and eightyseven delegates present. not
We osenilng voices were heard upon their adoption
nas oeeh asserted that many members had left the
convention before these resolutions were adopted d
MS IS, to my certain know LEDGE quvocalIy false
ne convention was full ; crowdtd fully as much
IL mad been at any previous time during its DO d
ceilings. II
Now, Mr.. Chairman, most earnestly invite nv "
oulnern Stae-RIghs brethren to give these addi- b
ohal resolutions fair and attentive consideration
20 they not cover the whole ground Do not the Ct
institutional rights of the States find in them amnIe
rejection? What stronger, what more grateful as m
uTance could ask at the hands of our Nor,Lor n