The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-08-11
Senator Hammond's Speech.

In alluding to the Beech Island speech
Of this distinguished gentleman last week,
we made sort CT half promise, that it
should appear in our columns this week.
We also remarked that the only knowledge
VIC had of the speech was from the rcpor-
ters for newspapers. This remark was
made by way Of caution 10 our readers /;
for we well-know that nine tines out Of
ton these reports fail to give correctly the
views of the speaker we might say, never
do. Since our last, NC notice the follow
ing in relation to the report of the speech
in the Charleston Mercury:
THE BEECH ISLAND SPEEcH.-We have
reason to believe that the report of Senator
Hammopd's late speech, given in our col
umns, does not correctly represent his
views. AS he is expected TO speak again
some time during this month, we hope to
have an authentic expression of his opin-
ions and positions
This is just about what We expected /;
and therefore the speech as reported is not
to be found in our columns TO day Motto
ing this paragraph in the Meycury, the
Charleston News says
"Of this we were aware from the outset,
and we endcavored 70 remove the incorrect
Impressions produced, by more careful
exposition Of the purport of his address,
This should have induced our contemporary
and his correspondent "South to pnuse and
obtain correct premises, before the two
long articles of the latter in that paper, re.
probating Senator liammond's position and
views, were pressed upon the public aiten.
uon. There was but one of the postplates
OF South" corrcct-the Senators dsappro-
val or the agitation Of re opening the slave
trade. Here was the provoca;ion, and the
assumed errors furnished the pretext and
cover for the assault, and hence the hot
haste with which it was made. Although
it is patent that the effort TO have the slave
trade reorened is utterly impracticablc -
equally patent that the public mind of the
South is dsinclined to, and would be fear
tuily divided upon the subject; and although
au the arguments in its favor, which have
any present force, will have probably be-
come inapplicablc in the lapse of the many
years and changes which must occur before
the real merits of the policy could be can.
rassed as practical matter, yet certain par
ties Secm determined 10 bore the public
with in'erminable distractions and sophisms
on the subject"
1t is TO be regretted that such carping
writer's as "South" are tolerated by the
press. Ii has become common of late wears
IN this State-quite too commun-for an
nonymous scriblers, TO address letters TO
prominent and patriotic men /; in which they
rarely or never discuss general principle,
but in " oaPtious spirit, sGsG:: TIC :iot;"as
OF him they attack. Their writings do, and
can do, no gaod but they are calculated to
do, and do, n vast Geal of harm. Party
strife is engendercd and kept alive BY such
n course. II begets general distrust Of
oui public men, and either lessons or de.
stroys altogether. their usefulness a; home
AS leaders and counseiors; and weakens their
influence abroad. At the present time, and
indeed for the last forty years, that which
the Southern states have most lacked, is
harmony and Union among themselves, and
within the limits Of each State. Such eff.
fusions as 'South's' is but lily calculated
TO nllay the demon Of party spirit and bring
about n unison of action. To recoyer the
rights Of the South and maintain them Sc.
curcly, to her own honor, and to the benefit
of her citizens, is n consideration param cunt
to the preservation or disruption Of the
Union. If the rights Of the South are ful.
ly maintained: it matters not at what cost
we have done nothing more than our duty
and what the world had a right to expect of
n gallant and patriotic people. A sectional
warfare is raging, and has been for a long
time past, in our Union and it IL n war
upon the rights Of the South. To defend
ourselves is our first duty. All this talk
then, about preserving this glorious
Union"or "breaking up this accursed Union"
is humbuggery-a fostering and further TO-
menting of strife among ourselves, while
our common enemy is laundering at our
gates. Union at the South is what is wan
ted. Let us seek TO bring it about, and
then, depend on II, the South will perempto.
rily demand her rights, and dare maintain
L en- against all intruders /; and tho wisdom
and patriotism of the country will point
out the most safe, cffectual way
Entertaining such views wo regret the
publication of such articles as "South's,"
and in the name Of the interests of our Sec
tion protest against them.