The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-06-11


ed that il was the duty of northern men g to
insisist on the earliest practical abolition ct
slayery.n | deny the utterance Of any such
Sentiment. The facts are these was then
q candidate for Canal Commissioner, and did
address meeting in that city at the time
stated. remember it we'll. twas at night,
la the market house. There was large
crowd, and much shouting. Some lovers oil
mischief sprung sudden cry OF lire, |"
which disturbed, and came near breaking up
the meeting. The good people, with that
instructive sense of preservation OF sell and
property natural to us all, began to seperate;
the alarm, however, proved to be ialse one,
order was restored, and | proceeded 10 the
end of my speech. There were no reporters
present, nor any accommodation for them. SO
far as. | saw. The following day, remember
TO have seen what purported to have been al
report Of my speech, but in language aud
sentiment so much stronger than any ! had
uttered, that I really did not recognize It;
and remarked, as well remember. this fact
To the publisher of one of the journals in which
the report appeared. He informed me that
il had been written out IRON memory, and not
from notes taken at the meeting. Ii know
myself, have never entertained or express
ed any sentiment in favor Of northern inter-
ference, to secure the abolition OF slavery.
So far from ut,ering sentiments hostile to
the South, and endeayoring to excite an un-
favorable sentiment to it in the North, !
have always advocated the cultivation OF good
feelings and kindly relations between the
two sections OF the Union. That did SO, at
this particular time, have the strongest as
sarance; for, on examination of my notes,
prepared fer my addresses in Allegheny City
and Pttsburg, find myself to have held the
following language: :" believe, among our
brethren of the South, there is as high sense
Of honor, as noble spirit of patriotism, as
much Of sacrificing devotion to country,
as is to be found anywhere. cherish with
pride the recollections Of our early history.
] believe in strict adherence to all COM
promises of the Constitution. The Consti-
tuition recognizes slavery, and guarantees its
existence. That Constitution was itself a
compromise, made at time when an inde-
pendent existence could not have been Sc
cared without it. say, then, If the people
of the South are still disposed to cherish this
institution, let them. 1t is their right to do
so.''
Thesewere my views Unconstitutional duty
self adverse to slavery shall not deny. l
may have expressed myself on that subject,
but not in language OF reproach towards the
South. may have said, and would say now,
with Henry Clay, /" the Searcher Of all hearts
knows that every pulsation ofmy mind beats
high and strong in the cause Of civil liberty.
Wherever it IS safe and practicable, de-
sire TO see every portion of the human family
in the enjoyment Of it. But prefer the lib
.erty Of my own country TO that Of any peo-
pie, and the liberty Of my own race 70 that Of
any other.D True it is. | am Pennsylvania
ready, trust, TO do battle in her behalf.
am northern man, sharing the opinions and
sentiments Of my people, and ready to con-
tend for my section but in relation to my
fellow citizens in other parts Of the country,
/ will treat their feelings with respect, and
make no war upon their constitutional or le-
gal rights. In times past, and in the ar,lor
Of controversy, | NAV, without reflection,
hare expressed myself in manner which my
cooler judgment would condemn. had then
no expectation that anti-slayery agitation
would erect itself into formidable element
for political power. Nothing could have been
further from my thoughts than that which has
since taken place, and is now being realized
that efforts sould so far succeed in creating
belief that there is such real difference q
local interests and views as to organize any
considerable party upon geographical basis
Errors Of opinion have doubtless entertain
ed and expressed upon many subjects. Who
has not! have no such pride Of consisten-
cy, no such obstinacy Of opinion, swould in
duce me to cling to mistaken views. and re-
fuse to embrace the truth when persuaded
that had been in the wrong. Standing
amidst the mist Of former errors, we may
well exclaim with Ajax, when battling in the
cloud
Dispel this eload. The light Of heaven restore;
Give me to see, and Ajax asks more"
But | am charged with having an 81 ObIi-
yiOusv memory, in stating that was not
a member OF Congress Of $780," and had ne
YER beer called on either 20 affirm Or deRy
ihe coDsti;1tionslity Of the Wilmot Proyisa;
that "my political existence commenced
since that flood;" aud that, having never Ia.
ken any public positinn." was willing, ia
al frankness and candor, to do SO now II
j. alleged that had taken such postum ia
the political conyasso 1919. IN my own State.
10 employing the language did, of course
meant, and was understood as meaning. thai
! had never been called on officially to speak
Or act upon the subject; that my political
meaning my observation-disclosures had
commenced since. Taken ia connection viii
my other remarks, I c1uld not have been un-
ders,ood otherwise BY any one disposed to
examine with fairness and treat with candor.
Candidate as was, 10 1850, for an Office,
The duties Of which were purely Of local
character, and 10 the performance Of which
could not possible be called on TO act ofici.
ally on the subject of slavery. I was not gull.
" u the folly Of undertaking 10 argue great
LII II IL -.