The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-04
WASHINGTON, d. C..
DEMOCRACY IN JAcKsoN,s TINE.

We present below the speeches and writings
which were prevalent in General Jackson's ad-
ADMINISTRATION amoag his Southern supporters.
We would particularly call the attention of
Pennsylvania Democrats to them. 1t is con-
fessed. on all hands, that these views are no
longer liberated in the South, and that those
who venture to reiterate them are branded as
traitors, and banished from Southern soil. Now,
does the Democracy of Pennsylvania stand by
the free principles prevalent in Jackson's time,
or do they prefer the modern doctrine of the
Richmond Enquirer, that Free Society is a
failure and that Slavery-even white Slavery
is Of Divine origin? That is the question.
We begin with a speech of the Hon. Charles
James Faulkner, the present chairman of the
Democratic National Executive Committee.
He is now member from Virginia, and, we are
sorry to say, has totally abandoned the noble
ground assumed in this speech. But one thing
j. certain, viz: that since his conversion to
Slavery, be has never made speech that has
ever been heard of outside of his Congress
zional district and it is equally certain, that
if his name goes down TO posterity, it will be in
connection with this speech. Slavery has been
moral death to the bright career of fame which
began to open before him. We commend this
speech able aud statesmanlike, and no intel
ligent read it without feeling that it
is iruer DOW than when it was delivered. twas
prophetic, and we now see results of the sys.
TEN which were then but the shadows of COM
ing evil. But the end is not yet. Greater evils
impend unless something is done to arrest
them.
This speech was delivered in the Virginia
House of Delegates, January 20, 1892, "On
the policy of the State with respect to her Slave
Population.
"Sir, there is one point in which | do most
sincerely agree with those who are arrayed
against me in this discussion. 1t is, that the
proposed inquiry is of great deicacy and
of transcendent importance. will 90 further
and say it is, in my Judgment, the most mo-
lnentous subject of public interest which has
ever occupied the deliberations of this BODY
Indeed, SIR, (if ] may be pardoned the extrav-
agance OF the expression, | will saw notwith
standing the horror with which the inquiry is
regarded by some gentlemen, it is the ONLY
subject which at this time, and under the pres
ent attitude of affairs in Virginia, is worthy of
the serious gravity of legislation. When and
upon what previous occasion did a question so
grand, so allpervading in its consequences,
absorb the consideration of this House? The
Revolution which agtated this Commonwealth
hity years ago, great and important as it was
involved IN its results but change of our po-
litical relations with the mother country. This
measure lshould it prove successful, and that
IT must, sooner or later. no individual in this
House can reasonably doubt) must involve in
lis consequences a moral, physical, and politi-
Cal revolution IN this State-a revolution which
will be bensficially felt by every great interest
in the Commonwealth, and by every sIavehold-
ing State upon this Continent. Sir, care not
what may be the feelings of other gentlemen,
bnt glory that 1t IS given to me to participate
In this measure. | shall ever reckon it among
the proudest incidents of my life, that have
contributed my feeble aid to forward n revo-
luton so grand and patriotic in its results. But,
SIR, at the same time that | do accord with
those gentlemen who have preceded me in this
debate on the opposite side of the question, in
the allabsorbing magnitude of the topic under
consideration, | cannot think, with them, that
ON that account it is not subject of inquiry
Its very Importance demands inquiry Let
that inquiry be cautious; let it be deliberate
let 1t be guarded above all, let it be conducted
with q sacred regard to the rights of private
property, so far at least as those rights can
upon an occasion OF ihls sort, be legltlmately
recognised. But, still, let the inquiry 90 on.
Tue PEOPLE demand it-their safety requires
1T. Mystery in State affairs | have always con
sidered impohtic and unwise. 1t is unsuited to
the genius of this Government, which is based
upon the right OF the people to free and full
examination oil whatever concerns their inter
est and happiness. Sir, they pay you for your
counsel-they have right to It. If there be
danger, let know it, and prepare for the
worst. III Slavery can be eradcated, in Gods
name let US get rid of it. If it cannot, let that
melancholy fact be distinctly ascertained; and
let those who we have been told are now await
ing with painful socitude the result of your
determination, pack up their household gods,
and lind among the luxuriant forests and prai-
rles of the West that security and repose which
their native land does not afford
Again, sir, L ask, what new fact has occur
red what light has dawned upon tee
gentleman from Mecilenburg-that we should
he called upon TO retrace course and to
dssppoiHt the hopes which our first manly de-
cislon gave? Does not the same evil exist
Is it not increasing? Does not every day give
IT permanency and force Is it not rising like
heavy and portentous cloud above the hori-
zon, extending lis deep and sable volumes
athwart the sky, and gathering in its impene-
etrabie folds the active materials of elemental
war? And, yet, shall we be requested to close
our eyes 10 the danger, and without an effort
without evenan inquiry-toyield to the imp pulses
OF dark and whitening despair? Sir, is this
manly legislation? Isit correct-is it HONEST
Legislation? Is it acting with that fidelity to
our constituents which their sacred interest
requires?
sir, If this evil, great as it is. was even sta
honary-it the worthy gentleman from Neck
ienburg Mr. Gholson could give US any as
surance that it would not increase until it
reaches point which it is horrible to contem-
plate-l might be induced to acquiesce in the
course which their pathetic appeals suggest
Bot, when they know it is otherwise-when they
know that each successive biow is detractinc
from the small space of ground left between
us and the angry ocean chatting at our feet
how can they advise us-how can they advise
their own constituents--to remain still, when
the next advancing wave msy overwhem them
and US in hopeless ruin and desolstion?
Sir, if the gentleman from Mecklenburg was
not satisfied when he submitted his resolution
he must Hotc bs convinced that this is one of
ihoss questions which no parliamentary adrot-
ness smother. The spirit of Free Inquiry
is abroad upon the earth and Governments
and all the institutions connected with them
must be sustained, net by any mystical and su-
persitious reverence for them, as eristing inSfi-
fntions, but as they are ascertained, after q
severe and searching SCRUTINY, to subserve the
great ends of POPULAR real. The same ques-
ton which is now convulsing Europe to its
centre-which is purifying that most gifted
country from the despotism which has for SO
many centuries hung over it's, In a some
what modified shape, operating upon the pres
ent inquiry. As with them, it is asked, Why
have we SO long tolerated the upeousl and