The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1856-10-18
GOV FLOYD AT NEW YORK


We extract the following passages from tho
report of the speech delivered by Gov. FLOYD,
to the merchants Of New York, on the Dad
inst
Mr.. Floyd. on being introduced, was greet
cd with three cheers for himself and three
more for Old Virginia. He commenced by
saying chat he felt here the power which had
produced the unparalleled commerce and pros.
pcriy Of New York. There was an especial
propricly in their assembling t. consider the
momrnfous state Of affairs now existing. Con.
lidcnrr was SIRE TO be always felt in the con
SrrratiSn Of New York Never had the po-
litical ilrS Of the country been in such an
alarming condition. He conceded that the
Republican party was formidable by its num-
bcrS, lis talent, and prc-cmncntly 50 from the
remarkable combinations of the influential
press of the North enlisted in its support. To
disturb the equality of the tive sectors would
as Individually suhycrt the present form oil
government as disunion itself could possibly
do There was a deep rcpugnancc in every
American bosom to arraying one section OF
the Union against another TO so array them
was the blacklist crime that could be fastened
on the brow of traitor. There never had
been such feelings Of hostility between the
Americans and the British, as there are now
among large portions Of the citizens of the
North against those of the South, famed into
existence by the spirit of sectionalism. Wash
ington had warned his countrymen of the fata
consequences of Il sectional party. Jefferson
Madison and Harrison all saw and warned
their country agoinSt this evil of scctionalism
and yet when these warnings are repeated by
McSrsS. Buchanan < Brckinridgc, they are de-
nounccd and stigmatized .as rawlings Of South
crn fanatics and DULLES, The sectional array
and the election by it Of President Of thu
United States is, he said direct and positive
violation of the spirit of the Constitution o
the United States, and leaves nothing of out
rage to be added by any ineracton of the let
ter itself. There is no essential difference be
tween an election Of President by scctiona
, combinations, which exclude one half Of thu
Union from all participation in the canvass
and the direct usurpation of the Office without
!, the forms of election at all The usurpatiol
differs only in degree the spirit and intent o
: the Constitution are violated in both instances
, This Union, he proceeded to say, was a com
pact between equal sovereign states and TIN
| great powers necessary for the carrying on o
State Governments were specially reserved
To ensure this equality, little Delaware wa
awarded the same voice in the councils Of tn
+, nation, rs was awarded to New York wit
her mnltitnlinous population. The Prcsiden
of the United States is intended to be tn
President of all the states of the Union. |
must be perfectly obvious, therefore, he said
I, that any act which would deprive large POI
! ton Of the people Of the confederacy Of an
) participation in the privileges of government
b thus secured, must be n violation of the Cor
sstuton in spirit and in principle. And sue
!. violation might drive the dsfranchscd state
graycly to consider how far they were release
from any obligations to adhere longer to
}. compact which had failed in the objects {
}. brotherhood and Mutual protection for whic
4 it was formed. We are drifting rapidly
4 this point and should, therefore, examine carr
, fully the pretensions of this sectional party
- the confidence and support of the people.
. it was not for the black stripe on their banne
'. the Republican party would be like last year
e cloud, gone, and gone forever lie had nod
J nunciation of amy person to indulge in. III
l, state of things required different arguments
@ the arguments of reason and facts and /
is was prepared to brnndlsh them to-day in ii
1t eyes of their adycrSares. 1t was party whil
c. relied wholly on the exclusion and proscrlptlc
y of the South It's object was to array Oh
It part of the country against the other--to pl