The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-04-10

l
fifteen years to attain that term which the in
spired Psalmist has given as the ordinary al.
loted period of human lifc--threc score and
ten The Senator expects to live to SC slavery
totally abolished in every State and Territory
of the Union.--that is, within fifteen years.
lie, of course, will not pretend to say that the
slaves will be voluntarily cmancipatcd in that
brief interval Congressional legislation and
the strong arm of Executive power must be
brought TO bear to effect such results; and
presume that the Senator only awaits the adj
mission of a few more free States to initiate
his plan of operations. Had these dcclara-
tions been made by any other Senator, should
have paid but little attention to them, but,
coming from his lips they are peculiarly signi-
iicant lie is .facae priatew, emphatically the
chief of the Abolition party, or, as they please
to call themselves, the Republican party. lie
always weighs well his words, >and knows the
full import of them; is invariably courteous
and respectful in his language and department
and carefully abstains from saying anything
personally offensive to Southern men. 1t is
this very moderation of manner that renders
him the more dangerous enemy. What he says
lie will act up to, should his party obtain the
ascendcncy. Let us hear no more, then, of
onr rights being respected by that Senator
and his associates, if ever they shall find them.
selves in majority in both branches Of Con
gress, with President Of their choice
The State which | have the honor in part
to represent, is, from the character Of her po-
pulation, her peculiar geographical position,
cmnently conservative; the Union has on this
floor no more devoted adhcrcnt than | am; III
this, obey not only the dictates Of my indi-
vidual Judgment and feelings but faithfully
reflect the sentiments of II vast majority of the
people of Louisiana. But it is the Union Of
the Constitution, the Union Of States, having
equal rights and privilcgcsthat is the Union
to which my allegiance is due, which have
sworn to support, and to which | shall ever be
found faithful / have not belonged to the
ultra school Of politics. Some, indeed, Of my
constituents, if asked, would perhaps be dis
posed to question the entire orthodoxy Of my
State Rights principles, as not being quite as
advanced as theirs. This, however, we will
not dispute about | am willing to be Judged
by my acts, if unfortunately the time Of action
shall arrive But let me tell Senators on the
other side, be the shades of opinion among US
what they may, that III whatever may touch
the rights of honor Of the South, she will pre-
sent ali undivided front to resist encroachmcnt,
be the consequences what they may. As to
the slang phrases with which our ears are con
stantly regaled here of slaycdriycrs, slave
breeders tralickerS in human flesh, &c, &C.,
they excite in us no other feeling than con-
tempt; they are only worthy Of consideration
insomuch as they may be supposed to express
the feelings and pandcr to the passions of
majority of the constituents Of those who en-
,,inv tl,n,o A lnnEar would al.
no excitement here or among our people at
home; he would perhaps be surprised to find
1 that there were no popular meetings, no ndg-
nant speeches, no menacng resolutions. You
msconstrue our calmncss The time was when
nator from New York would have caused Il
general cry of angry defiance. We now listen
to them with an apparent apathy, which you,
perhaps, mistake for Indifference 1t is the
very GOODNESS which, if it were understood,
would most alarm that portion Of our North
ern brethren who really love the Union. 1t is
the quiet, fixed, determined purpose, not vast.
ing itself in idle words, infinitely more por-
tcntiols Of evil than the most clamorous de-
mons'sations. Admit Kansas by this BILL and
all agitation will cease. In few short weeks
the people of the North will marvel at the ex-
citemcnt produced by a question which to them
has really no practical Importance How can
it in any way affect their interests, that few
hundred slaves shall be held by their masters
in Kansas or in Missouri? The abolition of
slavery in Kansas would not give freedom to a
solitary being And in this connection it will
be an economy of time for me to say now, that
fully recognize the right of State Legis-
laturc, at all times, to call convention Of de
legates of the people for the amendment or
total change Of an existing constitution, even
though that constitution may contain provisions
forbidding its amendment fora certain PERIOD
and establishing certain formalites and mita-
tions for the exercise of the right. This right
Of the people of State to be exercised through
the majority of their Legislature is, in my OPT
nion, absolute and inalienablc; but were it not
so, at all times and under all circumstances, it
is expressly guaranteed to the people of Kan
sas by the second article Of their bill Of rights;
besides, | think that general principles and
the bill of rights apart, by the very terms of
the constitution it may be amended at plea
sure until the last day of December, 1861
Entertaining these views, am prepared to
vote, with mere verbal correction, for the