Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-11-01
SPEECH OF nov. THOMAS RuFF1N,

OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Delipered in the House of Representatives, August
2. 1856, upan tie neet Presidentiat election, DC.
The House being in the Cor mis- ee Of the Whole
on the state Of the Union
Mr.. RUFFIN said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN As these evening sessions infringe
not upon that portion of the time OF the HOUSE oc,
voted to the transaction of important business, anu
Is they have been set apart for the espec'a
of affSrding members an opportunity OF emoark'hs
in the discussion Of political topics deem u u"s e
ccsssry to make anv apology to the committee 10,
occupying its attention for the oriei nour ano'.s
me under the rules. With great Difference 10 Tue
opinions of gentlemen who have preceded me IN au
dressing the committee, and who entertain views
anaeonstc to those that have been presented to my
mind, now propose to submit few remarks on tue
political affairs Of the country.
A question of great magnitude-yea, sir, ono pre-
eminently important, is 10 be passed upon oy 'he
people Of the United States during the present
In my humble opinion, in the verdict 10 De re"uc.eu
ia involved the nerpe,uity of the institutions under
which We have 50 long lived and prospered; and
question, upon the decision of which depends the
happin,ss. not only of the millions who are now en-
loving the blessings emanating from the best form
of government ever devised by the genius oil men,
hut also Of the countless myriads, who, IN all time
to come, are to inhabit thus the IalresN Po''o" "a
Gods earthly domain.
Disguise AS vou NAV, sir, the practical issue 10 oe
decided in the approaching Presidential election the
issue that looms high above all others, Is sha Tue
union of these States be perpefuated or dssoistu!
The Fedra Union was formed to dispense equal rights
and blessings to all the States. The CONSTITUTION,
the sacred charter of our political fath the work OF
incorruptibe patriots and ustrious statesmen, was
. compromise of conflicting interests Those WI"
made it had due appreciation OF the responsioli-
ties resting upon them they were practical men not
mere theorists they knew the purport OF the lam
guage they used, and, in its every clause and every
word they said what they meant and meant what
they said They eschewed cabalstlc words ana
ambiguous phrases. Staunch in resolve and unfag-
ging in zeal, with powerful purpose OF soul. they
devoted the mighty energy Of gigantic minds to the
great work of devising form Of government adapt
ed to the wants of free and Independent people,
ardenty attached to the eternal principles OF oer
ty and law. Time has demonstrated their wisdom,
and shown that their work approximates perfection
IS near as anything of human origin could. Many
of those who aided in framing the Constitution lived
to enjoy the proud satisfaction Of witnessing its add
mirable operation and when passing from the scene
of action, rejoiced in the hope that it would be
cherished as priceless inheritance by all future
generations of their poste,ity. Little did they an
ticipate that before century, mere Ink IN the
endless chain of time-had passed away, that a
powerful party would spring up in this country to
inaugurate schemes to bring about its destruction
and overthrow That such party, active, powerful
and numerous, is now at work to accomplish this
fell purpose, no man can with truth deny. Now,
for the first time in the history Of the country, a
party bounded by geographical lines has emerged
from the troubled sea Of northern fanaticiSm. as
sumed definite shape, aud entered the political
arena contest the prize Of the Presidency 1t has
planted its standard of sixteen stars representing
the sixteen nonslavehoiding States. on sectional
platform With energy unequaled and reck-
lessness unparalleled it is perfecting its organiza
ifS Sfrenpfh n eley the
executive chair man who, If elected, Will admns-
ter the Government under construction OF the Con-
stution sanctioned neither by its letter spirit
q construction never dreamed of by the sages who
framed it-a construction utterly destructive Of the
rights of the people OF fifteen States of the Union.
How long can the Union survive when it shall have
been decided that the Government is to be admins
tered not for the benefit Of all the States, but Of
part only: Sir, the times protentous Of evil
What ought to be- done by the friends of the Con-
stntion and of the Union in the present emergency
All patriots should labor I" with might and main" to
preserve the Constitution inviolate. To this end
they should make common cause to crush out the
sectional spirit of fanatcism. 1t is question far
above those relating TO tariffs, banks, public lands,
and systems of internal improvement The issue
has been presented; it stands in all its appalling
hideousness before US; it has to be met; it cannot
be evaded.
The party which has nominated John C. Fremont
for the Presidency presents the issue. He has been
selected the exponent Of its principles not that
he is experienced Statesinan-not that he Is pos
sessed Of any peculiar qualifications for the position
but solely because he was supposed to be available,
and believed, By those who rule the Black Republi-
can hosts to be man made up of such plant
terials could be moulded and used to effect their
purposes. Statesmen were overlooked in conven-
ton, and mere adventurer, heartless land-grab
Der, cashiered military subordinate, selected
the standard bearer of the Black Republican par.
ty-a fit exponent of its views. The candidate is
fit for the party, the party for the candidate; but
neither fit to control the destnes Of this great
try. The people of the United States have not yet
sunk to that low estate, when they are only worthy
to be governed by manikin, moved by wires in the
hands Of political jugglers and mountebanks- The
election of Fremont would bring rejoicing not only
to the Abolition traitors who are plotting schemes
to subvert the Constitution, but it would be grand
jubilee for the motley army of monopolists, .and-
sharks, treasury marauders and political gamblers
now SO strenuousiy urging his pretensions
Suppose the Government to be controlled by the
Black Republican party-what could the South ex-
pect from it? Nothing Of good-much of evil
Judge what would be the action of the party from
the course of its friends in this House! undertake
to assert, that House of Representatives has
ever assembled in this CAPITOL that has indicated
strong disposition TO violate the great principles of
the Constitution, and to trampe upon the ghts of
the minority as the one now in session. Precedents
long established and sanctioned by reason, never
heretofore questioned, have been dsregarded; gaur
antied rights have been violated and spirit Of un-
bridled recklessness has pervaded the majority of
this branch of Congress from its commencement.
Let us examine Black Republicanism as it has ex-
hibited itself here. After squandering two months
of the session, a Speaker and other officers were
elected Then, in hot haste commenced the dirty
work OF faction made arrogant by power mem
Der was chosen to preside this body because of
his known hostility to the South-a man who blush
ed not to rise npon the floor in his place here, and
indirectly to avow and advocate the damnable doc
trine Of the amagamaton of the white and black
races-a man who W., had elsewhere boldly proclaimed