The daily union., 1854-11-14
CEN cAss.s SPEECH.

iTha, there is a natural feeling in the human breast
against the existence Of slavery do not question Mr.
Jefferson called it virtuous feeling" 1t originates un-
doubtcdly in yrtuous motives do all emotions caused
by misfortune through the world We should take care
that their indulgence works injustice 10 the position or
views OF others AS American citizens you have nothing
with the question of slavery OF own State
except carry into effect the provisions OF the consu
for the surrender of fugitves from labor, and iah
fully observe its spuatons respecting the principles o
taxation and representation connected win ihat insuu
ton Here your duty is exhausted ana you must not ms
take your objections slavery for right TO interfere with
il our sentiments upon the abstract question: upon
any other abstract question Of good of evil give no
iust cause offence while expressed with becoming mod
eration But you these sentiments AS the
measure your rights your obligations The question
for honest patriotic American when he comes to eAer-
else his citizen is whether he regrets the
existence Of slavery but what right he has TO touch It,
His feelings and bis convictions may justify the former
the constitution alone can justify the latter
A short time since made remarks before the dem
ocrac State convention, assembled in this hail. expana-
tory OF my views and relation to the Nebraska
and bills nrused with portion of the leeisia-
tive power OF the State in the general government a-
peared before respectable body OF my constituents 10 rem
der an account my stewardship An effort was every
where making and everywhere it had been more OF less
successful produce the impression that all those who
supported bills in Congress prosavery men, TO
phrase Of the day, and that their advocacy of
conclusive evidence OF their alienation
from the PRINCIPLES of freedom and of their devotion 10
those OF slavery chose to put myself right upon tins
point and, while maintaining the just power OF other por
lions Union deal with this question for themselves
they pleased express my belief that slavery was
a misfortune for any country chose to have il distinct
ly understood that il not the institution itself was
defending but the political rights of other sections
of the country under the constitution. Certainly
could do little justice to myself little benefit to
constitutional principle which is dear to me- by en-
deavoriDg conceal these sentiments and placing
self in false position before my constituents, who
had pronounced their judgment upon the condition of
slavery by excluding it from the State and in conformity
with these views stated that considered slavery social
and political cyil--a misfortune for any country And
this is the substance of what then said it is the sub
of what had said before, here and in the Senate
and. ale rb.ro at ham nd Ixxoa prfaA IN
have added that slavery also moral evil did not
sal do not think so under the circumstances in
which it exists in the southern States Such assertion
would have been inconsistent with main position
sumedtat tbe present inhabitants of those States
responsible for the introduction of slavery, did
see how it was possible for them abolish it.
For the expression of these views have been arragned
by the Richmond Enquirer in not less arrogant than
virulent First denounced and then repounced I have
been finally expelled from The democratic party By its
of accommodation But as am not in the habit of
submitting to assumption nor presumption, SO shall not
submit both when united in the columns of that
once justly and highy-eseemed journal. How
MIGHTY FALLEN
AS we'll as analyze the oburgations of the En-
quircr its editor its excathedr writer only
to make II of offence that have entertained and
expressed these sentiments respecting slavery but that
have done this time though this was the first time
! had done it, Why have thought il proper recently
again to explain my views have just stated and
occurred to that reasonable dspassionatc man,
North South would object to reasonable measure
and indeed have yet to learn that any such
objected 1t s not the first if indeed is the twentieth
defence
constitutional rights from the defence of slavery
editor is fit for his position who deems my sentiments upon
this subject worth commentary and who ceasures my
without asceranng what it has been or having
ascertaned it, chooses to msrepresent it. My opinion that
slavery evil has been spread before the country time
and again, and than under circumstances to gain
for very general attention. In 1872 the pamphlet
published in Paris exposing the consequences and ns
tice of the quintuple treaty, said
We are no Shareholder, have been we never
shall be- We deprecate its existence in principle and pray
for its abolition everywhere where that be effected
justly peaceably, and wisely
In letter to Mr. Nicholson in December lsI7 said,
We may well regret the existence of slavery in The
southern States and wish they had been free from its in
PRODUCTION"
These views were known to every soutbern ,ot;an T.,
fore the Baltimore Convention of l84s
On the 18th OF February 1885, remarked in the Senate
uhtortlhaely sir, every who does believe tha,
slavery is the best condition of human scciety and thar
community never prospered might have done without
~ Is TOO apt TO be considered BY the South northern
fanatic regardless alike OF their rights and of the compro
misses OF the constitution
Now sir do believe this and no consideration on
earth can induce say So believe that slavery is
seat misfortune for any country But the existing insti-
touchn ~ ~ Poo "
Ard said in the Senate, in February, 1854;
before IN the Senate and have doubt unacccptay to
many is a great civil, social, and political cyiiS
80 much for my sentiments and for their public ayowal
nave never sought to conceal them and no man. be he
writer or reader mas any moral right to saw that have
deceived the Nort the South or to attribute their no
'in. nf'toh at this time to any unworthy motive
bnt since when has it become an offence against ,,c
Soah to express these views of the condition and the
sequences OF slavery? The pretenso is of very regent
tlni anu IKE many other prctcnsions what it lacks in
ana justice s to be supplied by denuncaton General
washington said that t was among his first wishes TO see
law - ny " '''''i'i'e" ny
Thus speaks Mr Jefferson upon the same subject 81 can
say with trth that there is man on earth who would
acrn'e more than would to relieve us from this heavy
p,oacn lo slavery in practicable way The cession
o' lhat KIND OF property (for it is misnaned Is hag.
te winch would not cost single thought if in that
way general emancipation and expariaon could be cf
iecied gradually snd with due sacrifice think il might
be But as 1t is have the wolf by the ears and we can
neither hold him nor safely let him 60 Justice one
scale and se-preservation in the oherr
heard Mr. Madison, many years since Observe in con-
Yersahon that slavery great misfortune for Virginia
IL Is wen known that such the opinion of Mr. Mon
roe, OF Judge Marshall of Patrick Henry of George
Mason, and of many other able and patriotic Vrgnians
whose names constitute part of the historical treasure OF
our country
IL is portion Of our political history that Gen. Pierce
Whcn IN he Senate took similar views and openly avowed
them, calling slavery social and political evil do not
nd that this avowal though not prae agreeaby to the
latest ichmond canon has provoked the wrath called
forth the denunctons, of the Enquirer against the
aeht OF 'nat we must infct appropriate punishment on
lhis as my herctcal opinions and trcacherous
uus- The better part of valor is discretion and the
discretion of the Enquirer teaches it avoid with
power and to seek them where there none This is new
chivalry for Virginia
have not had an opportunity TO examine the debates in
the Virginia legislature but Mr. Webster thus alluded to
them in the Senate in March 1850;
Let every man, he said who doubts of that the
debates III the Virginia house of delegates in 1892 and
with what freedom a made by Mr.. Randolph