Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-21

Proposed Revival Of the slave Trade.
Ia the reported proceedings Of the late
rs ,uthern Commercial Convention" We ind
an abstract Of the speech Of Mr.. Pryor, OF
Virginia, IN opposition to the proposition to
revive the Slave Trade Mr.. PRYOR said:
This proposition, if endorsed, would shock
the moral sentiment of Chris,eodom. Some
may say they do not care for that. But We
of the South VINO profess to be Christians
should endeavor, if possible, without sacrtiC-
ing rights, TO seek rather to pr9pitiate the
moral sentiment of Christendom. lie was
not willing TO throw the gauntlet in the face
of the Christian world. lie was very much
governed by consideration of policy. And
! the sentiment Of the Christian world was
gradually coming round to one stand point.
Lo at England with her Coolies, and
France with her apprentices. The dispatch
from our Minister in France shows grad-
ual aneliorstion in sentiment upon this sub
ject. We should bde our time and not by
/ this public action, give our Institutions an IT.
retrIesable recall. Quietanon mocere. AL
low things t. g, along smoothly.
lie objected to the introduction OF horde
of barbarians from Africa among US. That
was compatible with the present status OF
! slavery here. Oars ID a patriarchal instl-
tuition now, founded 10 pity and protection
on the one side, and dependence and graft
tude ON the other. 1t would become under
this policy, like slavery in Cuba where the
master is forced to be cruel and stern in his
government and control OF slavery. ltwould
create new grade of slavery, and create in
the slaves we already have, feeling OF su-
periority that we should avoid.
Ia short, this proposition t. revive the At
rican Slave Trade, was purely and simply a
proposition to dissolve the Union. because it
cannot be carried out while the Unon lasts.
When that proposition is boldly aud openly
mad, Virginia, though border State, would
not shrink from her duty But Virginia was
unwilling to put the perpetuity OF this unlon
upon any such issue as this proposition to
k!dnap cannlbals upon the coast of Congo
d contend with the King Of Dabomey IN
the marts of wild Africa for the purchase of
! slaves there. 1t you intend dissolution, de-
clare it boldly and manfully. Applause.
Present your proposition with your pream
bic and resolutions, and We will meetyou upon
it, and either acquesce and 20 with you
heartily and zeslously, or give our reasons
for not doing so.
Mr.. John A. Jones, of Georgia. Will the
gentleman 20. now, to-day, for dissolution
Of the Union? Applause.
Mr.. Pryor. am not gong to taxi posi-
ton outside of the Union, until | eau 90 with
! a united S)uth Give me case of oppres-
sion and tyranny sufficient to justify disco
luton Of the Union, and give me united
South, and then am willing to 20 out Of the
Union. Applause
Mr.. jones. If the gentleman waits for an
undivided South, he will never 60 out Of the
Union.
Mr.. Pryor. will not so stigmatize any
State or any class of my feilow-cltlz Ms by
believing that when a case arises sufficient
to justify dissolution IF the Union, any
Safe of the South will stand back. In no
crisis has the Old Dominion been recreant to
her duty. When the ball Of the Revolution
was set in motion in IVA, Virginia was not
behind. When jackson desired to send the
federal troops to crush out South Carolina,
Virginia was not recreant to her duty. APP
plau-e.
But recollect that the fret onset, in case Of
revolution, must be met by Virginia, and
gentlemen must not expect Of her an inordi-
nate enthusiasm that may be felt by others
not situated as she is But take my word
for it, Virginia will not disparago the memo
~ Of her il!ustrious heroes, and abdicate the
proud position she now occupies in the an
nails OF our country. The true position of
the South was the position Of defence. We
claim nothing but our rights, nothing more !
than Cur forefathers guaranteed to US, and |
SO bel p US God, Virginia will never take less |
than that. If there Is to be a observance !
of the Union let there be no observance Of .
the 5 nth. Believe the border States true and |
loyal; recollect that suspicion begets resent
meut. Let US collect our energies for the |
final struggle, So that when it comes, the en-
tire South may precipitste herself upon the !
foe, like thunderbolt from Heaven, with ir-
resistlbe effect.
Mr.. Pryor spoke for nearly two hours aud
was listened to with marked attention.
Sleeping Member.