The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-19

Interesting Political "Reminiscences
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR rooTs, AT nAEYsyIILS
(oALHoRNIA,l ON THE 30TH OF JUNE, 100:
The political friends Of the Governor having
urged him in various quarters to publish some one
oil the addresses he has recently dehverea ,nJ 10
fence OF the American cause, he has consen.eu -
draw up for publication in columns sne spIo;;n
which follows 1t Is Of course not the same speech n
terms which he delivered In MarysviIIe- having
been purely an extemporaneous enot' a.u ~ ths
porter having been present TO take ~ aown ~ suo
lime Of ~ utferancebut in all substantial respects
+ will he found 10 Correspond with the Marysviue
address
LET me now present few facts connected with
the state of the pubic mind IN certain states OF the
South during the autumn OF lsoO Inc state OF
south Carolina had declared in the most deliberate
and imposing manner, her determination, sooner
than submit to the compromise enactments, to BE-
cede from the Union. The only question In that
separate action conformity with some other State
OF the South. After warm and arduous struggle,
the cooperationists as they were called, succeeded;
the scheme of separate secession was given up, and
the population OF that chivalrous and time-honored
state determined still to remain in the Union.
unless some other State, Of the South should
agree 10 unite with her IN this important move,
ment. Propositions looking to this end
were most formally submitted by the State
of son Carolina to the other States Of the South,
ard these propositions were, in process of time,
besides South Carolina acquiesced In her project
and delegates representing the two States thus ia
tally Larmonizing, had assembled in the city OF
Montgomery, Alabama, as proposed, an ordinance
nj secession would have been adopted that would
inevitably have been destructive of the Union
saw destructive OF the Union, because it is propo.
stion too absurd for relutation, that the Union Of
these States can be kept together by the shedding
Of blood in internecine strife Whenever two adj
Joining States shall resolve upon disunion disunion
viii ee,tainly occur, In spite Of all that the power
Of Federal Government can do to prevent It.
speak am sure, with the.coolness and impartiality
d history this subject, and my language is that
Of man who would look upon the disruption Of our
national brotherhood as BY far the greatest of evils
which could befan us as a people. Let us turn our
attention to the condition Of things in other States
of the South in the autumn Of 1850. Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, kentucky. Tennessee, Louis
lana, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkan-
sas, Florida and Missouri readily acquiesced
in the peace measures OF 1850, with an under
SANDING though, that all Of these measures, in-
cudirg the fugitive slave law, should be faithfully
enforced. In Georgia and Mississippi state OF
things far different existed. What was known as
the democratic organization in both these States,
ascerained to he hostile to the compromise mea
sures, and friendly 20 disunion. My five colleagues
in Congress were open advocates OF secession.
They all urged that the remedy Of dsun0n
should be resorted to, without the least delay, on
account Of the compromise measures, and chiefly on
account Of the admission OF California into the
Union. large aiority Of both houses Of the Ie-
gisature of the State united in declaration not to
submit to the COMPROMISE enactments. The Gov
OF the State, excellent and patriotic gentle
counseis OF others, OF whom, unfortunately for his
own ian and popularity, he too much relied, con-
vokcd the Legislature CT the State In special session.
and recon mendcd the immediate adoption of such
measures would lead to full and hearty cooper
alton with the State OF South Carolina. At one
time the chances, both in Georgia and hissis.
sippi, were obviously in favor OF the contamination
Of this scheme OF ruin. There was but one remedy
left. Party had 10 be given up. Party organiza.
ton had to be disregarded. The only possibility Of
ave ting the menacsd catastrophe lay in uniting the
energies Of all patriotic citizens by whatever name
they had been previously distinguished. in support
Of the compromise and the Union. We had a stri-
king example before rs. Patriotic. wings and pa
trio democrats had united in tho halls OF Congress
The famous Committee Of Thirteen had been com.
posed Of Six wings and six democrats six Northern,
men aud six Southern men. The thirteenth mem
Der, a.d chairman of the committee, was man
who known TO entertain no strong party feelings
at the lime which could possibly bias his action
His abilities were OF the highest order his integrity
and patriotism wc,e beyond question. his ccnro
over men unsurpassed. All acknowledged that ~
was The only member Of the national Senate WHIT
could be supposed capable Of taking the lead in tn.
great movement contemplated, and OF consummat
ing the work OF national salvation. To show TIL
noble spirit which prevailed ut this interesting pc
Rod, will mention an incident which occurred
and which, for the honor OF the republic, shoult
never be forgotten. When the question IA {,
who should he choirman OF the Colnmtte. OF TIir
teenth arose, some Of General Casss political friends
urged that this honor should be accorded to him, rs
the acknowledged head OF the democratic part, Of
the nation The noble patriot and sage oil Michigan
said, "No, Mr. Cay Is entitled to be chairman. and
shall move HE appointment he can be more ell
cient in that position than any other man, and this
with me Is o sufficient reason for his selection. One
Of bis party fende suggested 10 him that he ought
not to urge the appointment OF Mr.. Clay TO the
Craftsmanship OF the committee Tor il his labors in
that capacity should prove successful, and the coun.
try be rescued from danger by his lnstrumenality
the people OF the United States might, in sudden
outburst OF gratitude in favor OF their delyerer de
vate him to the Presidency. What did General Cass
say in reply to this2 These were his words: 'Be II
20, then; II Mr. Clay shall be able to accomplish the
rescue Of the republic, no one viii moro cordially
acqucsse in his elevation to the Presidency than
has long Since become public. when Mr.. Clay
was lying upon tie bed OF languishmcnt. ane
no ono expected him to recover several persons
visited him. for the purpose Of eo9nscliing with hin
then almost at hand. Never shall forget his Ian
gusge on that occasion; II was worthy OF the maj
who had, only few months before. in the hail o
the old Continental Congress in the city Of Annapo
lis, standing upon the aoor Of that hall precisely
where Washington stood when he surrendered thu
sword which had achieved the liberty and indepen
dsnce of his country. formally abso!ved himsel
ture, that party should be his party which should
prove tself most true to the Union. What Mr. Clay
said to us on his dying bed was this:--"t Is inds
that statesm shoud be elected to the Presi
dency who Is thoroughly identified with the comprc
mise measures OF 1850; II I thought Mr.. Fillmore
available he would be my choice; but, supposine
that he is not, aud being satisfied that Gen. Cass IS
have no hesita ton In avowing 1t as my wish tha
he should be the next President OF the Unitet
States" II was IN view Of such noble examples
that the friends Of the Union, both In Mississippi
AID Georgia, acted In the autumn OF 1850
and it was only by throwing aside part,
obligations altogether, and assoclatiug them
selves as band Of brothers, under a new name
HAT the dangers Of The honr could be averted ant
the schemes Of unpnncipled factionists be counter
acted. This wss done and the world knows thu
result. But, repeat what all men Of honor ant
veracity, both in Georgia and Mississippi stanG
ready TO attest that this important object could not
have been possibly achieved in either State-il
other words, majority Of the voters thereof could
never have been persuaded to acquiesce in the
compromise enactments, but for the solemn assu
rance riven by the friends OF these cnactments that
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