Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-15

For President.
James Lyons, Esq, ofRichmond, Va.
For lice Prssilcn:
T. b. Bethea, OF Alabama
Hon. Joel Crawford, OF Georgia.
David Parks, OF North Carolina
John l.. Brown, of Maryland
Hon. Edward Martin, OF South Carolina.
VIM. q. Swan, of Tennessee.
Andrew Hunter Virginia.
II. Mcleod, of Texas.
W. ID. Moselcy, OF Florida.
For Principal Sccrefdry:
y. B. Cloud, Of Alabama.
For -issistdRt Secretaries:
Peyton Colquitt, Of Georgia.
W. Irving Crsndall, OF Tennessee.
W. j. Yates, OF North Carolina.
{. \. Harding, of Maryland.
j. w. X. Pope, of South Carolina.
Thomas J. Semmes OF Louisiana.
A. +. Crutchhelj, of Virginia.
p. C. Thackstou,
OctAvus Cohen, OF Georgia
j. L. Mangum, of Texas.
For the government OF the Convection the Committee
recommended the adoption far practicable the rules
OF the House OF Representatives of the United States
Also that in voting each State be allowed many votes
a. she Is chtitcd 20 IN the electoral college.
The report was agrced 10.
The Chairman appointed Messrs Mcleod OF Texas Col
Cochran OF Alabama and Mr. Shafler Of virginia a com.
mittee TO wait upon Mr.. Lyons, and Inform HIM OF his
lection a. President OF the Convection and coAduct him
to the chair.
Upon assuming the chair the President addressed the
Convention a. follows
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
Gentlemen OF the Southern Commercial Convention in
returning my thanks to you for the entirely unexpected
and fully unmeed honor which YOU have been pleased
confer upon me, must be allowed say that do not
Ike any part oftto myself IL j. know tribute from
the heart OF the SOUTH not to the individual but that
ancient AMI venerable commonwealth OF which / am
OF the humblest ctzcUs-to State which, while she
has been always loyal to her obligations the whole
try has been ever she will be- the South
IN all her Interests. (Applause.)
Ii Is indeed small honor TO be called at such time
and by such body preside its deliberations and
render such all an humble individual may the la
and successful discharge OF the duties this Con.
of your assembling here, makes the fact important in the
eyes and estimation ~ the nation the objects aud the
influence and the value OF your deliberations perhaps
beyond that attaching the deliberations and results Of
any convention spontaneous with the people which has
Semblcd FOR many years past. We assembled ~ a
convention OF free men, tree citizens OF the South for
the purpose OF discussing political questions in the man.
aud estimation and with the interests add feelings OF
politicians but for the purpose OF considering what
do all admitting aud conceding that something
ought 10 DO 20 restore what has IN part been lost the
independence, aud with that independence in
every sense OF that south to which all in heart
and spirit devoted. (Appluse)
Ii is but a moment, gentlemen, since have passed
through Of the memo. able struggles which this
country has witnessed, since first her character FREQ
and independent nation was established. A un-
preccdcutcd Tor thc motives which prompted IT,
precedcitei Tor the aud in which it has
been conducted has but recently been wisci upon US
But thanks TO that Col who has always governed and
through it nation yet united, happy aud free and the
stout South STILL she alNays has BEEN loyal and true
10 the whole country Applause But it is not to be
iisgui>cd-thc who would disguise il from YOU
would in my humble Judgment msead you-yet it is not
to be disguised that tie contest is vet ended Al
ready from the Sealte Chamber OF the United States has
it been announced that the is not vet ended but
only deferred to be finished in the year $780, when this
upon our institutions, ana upon homes and OF
upon liberties, Is TO be renewed Under these
circumstances following in the footsteps of others who
NuN fnFs huEa rom Fafr sk.r b.
purpose OF considering what is to be done, dissolve
this Union, enemies falsely charge upon US TO
disturb the constitutional compact in any WISE to
mas the general happiness OF the country, but for the
purpose OF considering what do on this occ sion
20 make this Union, If it sl BE- preserved Union
OF the whole country Union Of the free and ndcpend-
cnt North, less than mon OF tue free and ndepend-
ent and equal South. LApplause.l Our enemies
have already a-sled in advance, already have they
enGelvoted TO bring charges against which your de-
lbcratons will prove all deliberations Of Southern
men hitherto have proven 70 be uuiounied.
At one time possessing, theamOst entire trade and COM
nercc OF the country, have by degrees and
alter year this trade and commerce transferred other
portions Of tile country, our cities dWiuding
nercc gone, and those WHO have derived the benefit OF
decay anI loss have used that benefit have in,
-ud, ~ means Of warning upon aud institutions
this Union which orclthcr formed not a. the end
but the by which liberty and happiness and more
perfect Union aud domestic tranquility be obtain.
ed We como here, not for the purpose Of dturbng .he
North not Tor the purpose OF disturbing the Unio Tor
the purpose Of determining what wc can do by our own
means and by our agencies for the purpose OF ma
king more comfortable more strong, equal in all res
poets, that portion OF tho Union which furnishes the
means for the whole. What there in that that should
excite the hostility Of any just man? What there that
should be regarded inimical any obligation of any
patriot, in the ftct that the peope OF any portion
OF the country should come together for the
purpose OF considering what they may do with
their own means, by their own agencies for the Dur.
pose OF securing the common Independence Of that
part OF the country they represent? ! beg leave
t0say this Tor myself as am say for all Of YOU
that there u not within this assembly heart dsoyal to
any patriotic obligation The South asks but Justice but
equality, and to nothing less will she submit tAppansc)
She asks only that she may enjoy with Others what th,
Union intended 10 to ALL to her rs well - the
rest and she too proud too Independent just TOO
patriotic to ask anything for herself which should not be
conceded to ALL Why them should there DO doubt or
hcaton IN respect the We should pursue herr2
We come here ~ southern men, it il but northern
man who is true to the South cannot be- otherwise than
true to the Union while the Union is Union under the
Constitution aud according to the Constitution (Ap.
plausc) What may DO within these limits aud under
these feelings and guided by these principles wl, We
can do 20 restore what has been lost remains problem
perhaps yvt % be- solved. Your deliberations am aurc
will point 10 practical result We have come here not for
the pnrpo'eo defamation or absifac, resolution but We
nave come mere 20 obtain come practical result which while
II shall 10 justice to the South shall ale, strengthen tIo
North, while the North is lovl TO tose og ns which
wc admit, aud By which mean ~ abide while iii. Union
remains constitutional Union But the lay NAV come. 20
do not attempt IN disguise IT, Tor do 20 were more than
ioly-when the South may find that she will be driven 4,
we necessity OF oxcrtng, aud will have need and occasion
of all her powers 20 preserve her rights and honor lat
to bc expected then, that ia that Of the case We will
set down quietly, aud permit and means Of
power ~ waste aud waste and away until NJ last
when TIE moment for action shall come we will Lave the
misfortune 10 mud chat we have overlooked neglected ard
slept upon all the which we had t our disposal and
winch We should have uscl 10 place in condition 10
Pot.ct ana preserve that which every IN th. ls4r
Dy am sure, would protect his Hc the honor and
happiness aud above nll II II be- considered A. such
the independence OF tie SOUTH equally With that Of the
other portion u the Union. (ApplauseJ
For your aid gentlemen in discharge 81 the duties Won
have deyolyed upon met need say shall greatly
indebted that must At great extent rely upon your
wisdom Jour calmncss and determination to abide by and
sustain the Chairn the enforcement Of the rules Of order
10y which W. have determined 10 governed. Satisfied tina,
you will give me your aid aud assistance trust commit
no error when say in the beautiful and expressive LAM
ghgc Of thc prayer We listened ~ this morning our OBJ
jet will always be "purc and PEACEFUL too
The fHerDfsr resumed his seat amid renewed ap-
pluse. ~
On motion u W. spnu, offs e. Hon. A. Dudley
Mann, o Washington CITY, invited take seat IN
,hc Convention as ono Of IT. MEMBER and take part IN
IT, deliberations.