The southern press., 1852-02-21
NJ. Hunter and state Rights.

Senator HUNTERs statesmanlike speech on The
Iowa land bill, on Tuesday last, we shall lay
before our readers at the earliest opportunity.
We cannot r, frain, however, from quoting from
that speech the following eloquent and truthful
declaratisn of the vitality of State Rights
principles, and of The ultimate triumph OF the
few, but faithful, who now stand in the breach,
unit others come 10 the rescue.
Thus speaks Mr.. HUNTER, with the prescence
of the statesman who judges principle above
mere temporary triumphs Of party
g But, Mr. President it was reserved for the
Senator from Tennessee, Mr.. BELL, to bring
ont formal indictment against the State Rights
purity, and all who professed their principles and
opinions He said that it was owing to that
party that the old States had not received their
share of the land but he also kindly assured
us that he meant no disparagement when he
called them the State Rights party" He was
disposed to tread lightly on the ashes Of the
dead and yet he could not practice upon the
charitable maxim 1" DE moriuis nil nisi bonun;"
for he not. only accused that party OF keeping
the old States out Of their share of the public
lands, but Of various other political sins and
misdemeanors. Now, Mr.. President, beg to
assure that Senator so far as am concerned,
consider il no dsparagement to be called a
I" State Rights man" | assure him that in MY
case at least, he may call spade spade
without risk Of giving offence, and denominate
me by any name which describes my opinions.
am sorry.to hear, Mr.. President that State
Rights principles are at so great discount In
Tennessee, as to make it necessary to use
phrases OF decentralization in order to describe
Al. L. - i haF n
tell that Senator that there is still a State
Rights party in existence that it has nei-
ther surrendered nor disbanded. They may
be few in numbers Their line may have been
shaken and shattered by the onset of superior
numbers; but still they stand by the defences
Of the rights of the States and cling to the Con-
stitution Of the country. Their flag is still fly
ing, and upon its broad folds are yet to be found
the stars, each one Of which maintains its sepa-
rate place and its distinct identity. Upon that
field at least, they do not "pale their effectua
fres" before the excessive light of the great
federal sun. for one, sir, do not believe so
poorly Of the power Of truth over the American
people, as to suppose that such cause can be
lost by their virdct On the contrary, j say to
them, and to all who hear my voice, that con-
jure them in the Language of the dying Calhoun
to his colleague, and bid them "never despond."
Sir, they are few, ! know, but perhaps not too
few to stand in the breach until others may
come to the rescne. Let them do their duty
for the day, and take an appeal from the present
to the rising generation, who may come to re-
lieve them on the morrow. Sir, if were to
dare to tell the dream of my fancy, should say
that seem to hear the distant tread of the
thickening hosts who will rally upon the de-
fences which guard the rights of the States,
apd will restore the Constitution of the country
not, sir, the Con sttutfon as it is now known
in federal glasses and degenerate commentaries,
but in all the rigorous simplicity and purity of
its original creation"