Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-04-29

~ mart Of their time and the
young persons of both sexes arc usually
and in fact expense, until they
On the contraGv the negroes are almost an KEEP
CONSTANTLY employed in some way and the colss
& is that these three millions OF saSes
" produce more probably than the same nllnioei
f free nersons in any other section OF the country.
j do not mention these things to claim superlofisy
for South over the North but mercy 70 Sssao
fish the equality of my section on WIN Iiil' 20,
that we have just as many churches as le -
States have and fewer paupers and CRIMINALS thah
any country upon earth perhaps can snow. I1lese
things are stated to show that our IS a pros
] nerous one andSthat there is no reason why tnls
i,overnment should be arrayed against It, - point
to the fact ALSO that the negroes whether con-
silered physically, intellectually socially or moiai5
W. superior to any other portion OF tnel race upon
the globe, whether in state OF freedom OF SLAYER
] These are views of which little or nothing was
I known fifty years ago; but they are sakng deep
hold upon the public mind now and statesmen and
wise men will look at things they are and ponder
well before they act IN opposition TO Inc evidences
of their senses and their. reason. The ways OF
Providence are wiser than the imaginations of men,
and let therefore follow where the facts seem to
point. No man knows as yet what we snail be LED
to: but the opinion of the country is very different
now from what it was fifty years ago; and what it
will be century hence, any man assume to say
I No sir; but the wise will be disposed to let
these things alone; he will be disposed to let these
matters work their way in due time. Under
the influence of excited feelings and in pursuit OF a
single idea sometimes carried to great ex-
trcmes For example, many of the northern peo-
pie say that slavery must not be extended but that
it must be confined to its present limits. 1t will
thus happen say they that after time, for want OF
ROOM the slave population will no longer Increase
and perhaps the low price of labor and the want OF
means of subsistence, will induce the owners to lib
crate their slaves. They say that the condition of
the present slave States will be like that of portions
of Europe, where the population cannot increase
and where bare subsistence can be afforded to the
people in ordinary years, so that IN scarce year
large numbers swept away by famine. In this
way they say the increase of slaves could be pre-
vented not less effectual mode, however, would
be to put to death the infant negroes from time to
time. This too would be more humane probably,
than the other process, the amount of general
misery caused by condition of things similar to
that in Ireland during the years of famine, would
doubtless greatly exceed that caused by the mode
suggested. Intelligent men at the North of course
know that the southern States would not consent to
submit to such line of policy, and that the attempt
to enforce it will merely overthrow the Government
In fact the amount of property row held in slaves,
and the interests connected with it. strong enough
to protect themselves. In France, and other Euro
pean countries the strongest political systems that
could invent have been overthrown, from time
to time, bat the rights of property have stood all
the storms of revolutions So the interests which
the South has will be strong enough to protect them
seves-always, l hope, in the Union, but certainly
out of it, should it ever become necessary. These
considerations need not however enter largely into
the present discussion. We stand on constitu-
tonal rights, and the justice, both political and
moral, of the proposition that every community
ought to be allowed to regulate its own domestic
matters Adopt this cardinal line of policy, and the
country will no more be disturbed with agitations
about slavery.
Mr.. Chairman, there considerable excitement
produced in the House yesterday by resolution
which the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Campbcl,l of
fcrcd in reference to the annexation Of Canada.
This movement will enable to illustrate the prac-
teal effect of the pending measure. If the old sys
tenn of bringing the powers of the Government in
collision with the rights of the South by restricting
slavery, is to prevail, as Canada would strengthen
the northern movement against US, should be
opposed to its annexation. But, suppose we adopt
the opposite line of policy, and settle down upon
the doctrine that every community shall regulate its
own local and domestic affairs. Why sir, the Pc,
ston for the annexation of Canada wGlid be looked
upon simply national question, one in which
the North and South were equally interested, and
the advantages and disadvantages of the measures
would be fairly considered by both sections. am
not by any prepared to say that the time will
not come when Canada, we'll many other prov
inccs, will be annexed to the United States agree
with the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.. Millson]
that there is danger of too rapid expansion of
territory. believe in the law of progress, but
there may be such thing too high rate of
speed for safety. admit all this, but must tell him
that it is idle to attempt to prevent forward
ment. He might as well attempt to dam up the wa
tiers of that Niagara to which he alluded as prevent
the expansion of our Republic. We must act wise
ly, however, and place ourselves in 4 condition to be
benefited and not injured by these coming acquis
tons of territory.
What ought we to do1 Allow every portion of
the country to regulate its affairs. whether
States Territories, and turn attention to those
great national questions upon which the interests of
the country demand our action? But in justice to
myself, l ought, perhaps, to say, that while would
not hurry expansion of territory, yet neither am
prepared to say that the infant docs not now live
who may all the country between Cape Horn
and the Polar ocean of the north united in en-
pre- l do not say that it will be So nor am pre-
pared to say to what extent this confederation of
Republics may be carried. We are in the midst of
the grandest experiment humanity has ever seen;
and if we do part wisely, have no doubt but
that under the favor of Providence fortunate re-
suit will be attained.
have witnessed, Mr. Chairman, several of these
anti-slayery excitements, and 1 have observed that
when they are first gotten up their power seems to
be the greatest The Abolitonists are we'll organ
lied; they throw out their publications and state
ments all over the country at once, without being
scrupulous to the truth and justice of their
statements, and hence they hurry away the minds
of the community for season. Truth cannot travel |
fast fasehood but in the end always overtakes
her. Hence, after full discussion and fair under |
standing of the subject the excitement is shorn of
its strength and dies out before the intelligence
of the people. For example, when the question of |
the annexation of Texas first came up the cry was
raised that the whole North was dead against and |
that any who advocated it would be instantly crush
ed Even after the matter had been adopted by the |
Democratic party in its convention at Baltimore on
Mr.. Folks nomination, and even as late as Septem-
Der, the convention in New York, which nominated |
Sllas Wright for Governor, passed resolution I
against the annexation of Texas though agreeing to
support Mr. Polk also.s And in fact when Congress /
met even after the election there great opposi