Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-21
BOLD VIEWS-A GLANCE AZ THE FUTURE

oinia HILLARY Institute I
speak to-day as a Virginian, and trust in the
true spirit of Virginia. In the retirement of my
own home, roaming in the freedom OF my own fields
with nothing to ask save of the bounty of Heaven
have meditated deeply upon the course OF public
affairs and upon the duties and responsibilities or
Virginia. And in the spirit of that true patriot
Samuel Adams, of Revolutionary memory, who in
the worst of times "would think as he pleased and
speak as he thought" shall express you plainly
my northumberland the more freely, because be-
leve truth cannot be injurious, however boldly pro-
claimed and that ceases to be dangerous when
is left free to combat it. We are in the midst
of deceitful calm. The cry is "peace! peace!
VIXEN there is no peace" The Kansas question: it
is said has been settled upon the terms of happy
adjustment" What is Kansas or my similar ques-
ton but the drift the surface Of the stean over
which ambitious politicians are madly contending,
regardless of the steady current that is swiftly
sweeping them to destruction We have arrived at
that period in our history which clearly fore
seen and so deeply deplored by the great political
philosophers of the South. The power of the Gov
ernmen. has passed to the North, and all the checks
of the Constitution are broken down. In the House
Of Representatives in the Senate, and in the Eecto-
rial Colleges, the South finds safety, and is SUBJ
iect to the will of unchecked majority whose pow
err will soon be as overwhelming as it is despotc.-
The question for thoughtful men now to consider, is
not whether their power is usurped by the majority,
but whether the Constitution itself has not become
effete, and "experience in the language of the
Farewell Address has not demonstrated the i'm
practicabity of the Union" Wise statesmen of all
political schools have been so impressed with these
truths, and the consequent danger OF the Union,
that various amendments of the Constitution have
been suggested as furnishing checks on the
power of the majority, and adequate protection to
the minority. The great statesman already referred
to, proposed dual Executive, with mutual veto;
which all now admit would be inexpedent well
as irnpracticable And an eminent jurist Of
6ictinU Shed al
lect and purity OF life has suggested with great force
the division of the Senate into two chambers, so
that upon all sectional questions the one would be
check upon the other. These amendments, even if
practicable, would be entirely inadequate to our
protection for the safety and interests of the South
NAV require positive legislation, in the admission
of new States the acquisition of territory, well
as a negative on the power of the majority. All
such suggestion, however, are entirely impractical
ble An amendment Of the Constitution for such a
purpose, is impossible majority inf1amed by ia
naticsm and the lust of dominion, will never sur
render their power to the appeals of reason patr
otiSm, however urgent.
Disguise it as we may, the time is fast approach
ing when there will be alternative but separation
from the North or tame submission to uncontrolled
despotism. Mankind have, in all ages, been reluct
ant to change their political relations. Spell bound
by the memories of the past, they often remain
slaves to sentiment Of devotion to old institutions
Our fathers of the Revolution continued to express
the most devoted loyalty anu attachment ~ Tic
British crown and people, almost up to the moment
of the Declaration of independence And so we, in
the midst of general discomfort prone to express
our devotion and loyalty to the Union, forgetting for
the moment that the Union of the old thirteen
States composed of equal sovereigntieS, with
common feeling and lineage. and having all the
guards Of constitutional liberty, very different
thing from copfederacy Of thirty three it may
be fifty States diverse in population, feeling and in
terests and without check limitation the arbi-
trary will of sectional majority.
When the crisis comeS-and come it muSt-Vir.
gina trust will be prepared to meet it. The path
Of interest and duty and honor lies plain before her
She must be the leading star of great Southern
constellation. The first in confederacy of sover-
egn States with territory extensive than the
continent of Europe, with population twice
great as that of the Colonies at the period Of the
Revolution, with climate and soil of unrivalled
productiveness; and in word possessing all the ell
ements moral, physical, and intellectual necessary
to social progress. ana 10 give stability to great
and independent republic. The separation of the
Colonies from the mother country, reused the spirit
Of the age and gave new scope to the energies of
mankind. Who can say that it is not the purpose
of wise Providence, by events now in progress to
effect results equally important-to give new devel
opment to the capacity and progressive power Of
the Ang Saxon race and to bring within the range
of free government and regulated liberty, the semi.
a,barous hordes that cucumber the Southern
portion of this continent? But however this may
be- the effect of Southern conederacy in advanc-
ing all the great interests of Virginia would be i'm
mediate and incalcuable. Her population, agricul.
ture, commerce and manufactures would advance
with une xampled rapidly. The capital and energy
necessary to carry all useful enterprises would
spring as if by magic into being. tariff for the
support of the new government would give such
protection to manufacturers that all water falls
would brstle with machinery, and the hum Of man.
uacturing industry would be heard in all the inland
towns of the State. The spindes of Lowell Lawrence
and Manchester would be transferred to the falls of
the Potomac, the Rappahannock and the James, and
| the industrious artisans of the North would be
| transferred with them. The iron coal and other
| mineral treasures of mountains would be
brought into immediate requiston, and extensive
| foreign commerce would no longer be the dream of
| the enthusiast. Under judicous revenue and nav-
cation laws the ships of all nations would crowd
the ports of the South, and the products of other
lands be brought directly to our shores, in ex.
| change for own. Norfolk would become the
great emporium of foreign commerce for Virginia,
and all the cities on our navigable waters would
| partake of her prosperity. In view Of these grand
results most of the great events recorded by hsto
rians, affecting permanently the interests of man.
| kind, and determining the course of empire, dwin-
| die into insign6cance.
have now, Virginians expressed to you, with the
utmost frankness my sentiments on questions of the
| greatest public importance. The times demand
| plainness of speech, and l have therefore spoken
without reserve. 1t remains for me now only to say
few words before parting to young friends of the
Corps of Cadets.
Young gentlemen, you are soon to enter upon the
active duties of life Consider well the responsible
ties of your position. Virginia has right to claim
your devotion your loyalty, and utmost efforts in
her behalf. She has endowed this noble Institution
to train you for the duties of the soldier and the cit
izen. Take care that you all diligence to pre-
pare yourselves to meet your high responsibilities.
Remember that education is the business of life
Your kind friends, the Professors, have committed
to you the keys Of knowledge; it yours to unlock
her rich treasures for yourselves. Improve your
| minds nv reading nv observation and ohoya iii by