The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-06

SENATOR HAMMOND OF SOUTH CAR0LINA-A
GIANT AMONG THE PIGNIEs We published the
other day the late speech of Senator Hammond
to his constituents at Beach Island, South Caro-
lima; but there are some points in that speech
so bold, pungent and powerful that they are
worthy special reproduction. First and fore
most, General Hammond, the very strongest
man perhaps that South Carolina has ever sent
to the Senate-Mr. Calhoun excepted-has de-
clared himself for the Union, as the true policy
of the South to the very last extremity.
Listen TO him:-"Even," said he, "if at the
next Presidential election the North should by
combination elect an aboitionist, he did not
think that on that issue the great body of the
South would go out Of the Union" Is not this
an astonishing declaration for South Carolina
Senator in the midst of the little fussy secession
politicians of that State. We think so, and
that 1t shows that Senator Hammond is bold,
fearless, independent, original thinker, who
thinks for himself and speaks for himself, and
who does not hesitate to speak the great and
important truths and conclusions 10 which his
thinking may have brought him.
Upon this very question of disunion we have
not the shadow Of doubt that an overwhelm-
ing majority of the Southern people-includlng
even the people Of South Carolina-entertain
precisely the opinions which be has expressed
But the Senator thinks that IL two abolitionsts
should be elected to the Presidency in success
son that then the Union would be broken to
pieces cure enough. Very well. We are con.
tent for the present with the assurance that the
election of one abolitionist to the White House
will be tolerated. As for the second in success
sion, there need be no fear Of that, inasmuch as
the frst-if such man as Seward. for exam
pie, or any of his tribe-will sicken the coun-
try with bis lobby spolstions for twenty years
10 come.
But the material point In Mr.. Hammond $
speech under consideration, Is this: that Ito him
the whole theory and scheme Of squatter sove-
reienty was matter of disgust -"that the
Ksnsas- Nebraska bill was q delusion aud
deception from the beginning" and "a
snare to those at the South Senator
Hammond judges the tree by its fruits lie
sees that the game is up-that Kansas Is TO be
free State under the policy of the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and that the South has thus reused
up dangerous spirit of retaliation for attempt.
ing. under the delusion of popular sovereign
IT," the recovery Of the territory north of the
line which, By the Missouri compact was ceded
to the North. Senator Hammond. therefore. il
quite right in saying that the Ksnsas- Nebraska
bill to the South "was delusion and decep.
ton from the beginning"
In fact, as this Kansas agitation dies out, we
may expect many other refreshing confessions
from the North and the South of this Contempt
BILE farce Of popular sovereignty" as illustrat.
cd in the late furious Kansas uproar, which
threatened to tear the Union and the whole CT
vlixed world into fragments if niggers were
excluded from Kansas or II niggers (slave Mig
eers) were admitted into Kansas The late
speech of Senator Hammond is an excellent be-
ginning on the back track for the fiery and
fussy little State Of South Carolina. She Is
evidently coming to her senses.