The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-24

and to secure the harmony Of the democratic party.
------------------------
UNION SENTIMENTS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH
STATE RIGHTS PRINCIPLES.
We publish to-day the address of Senator Davis,
recently delivered at Jackson, Mississippi, before
large audience of citizens comprising the Nlissis
sppi legislature. 1t is characterized by the man-
ness candor and decision which belong to all the
efforts of the Mississippi senator AS expressing
the sentiments and defining the position of leading
and influential southern Statesman it deserves, and
will receive, the attention Of the country. 1t is a
speech as remarkable for its patriotism and sound
ness Of opinion as for it's freedom from the caution
and sycophancy belonging to tho eager presidential
aspirations which in these times so aflict tho poll
tics Of the country, warp the principles and detract
from the character Of otherwise promising politicians.
tits the speech Of statesman, patriot an nhexible
incorruptible democrat, aud true man.
The eloquence and ability with which Senator Da-
Wis yndicates himself from the charge of having
ceased to be a true southern by having soourn-
ed for a few months at the North, and INDUCED in
sentiments of attachment to the Union, are as signal
aa his success. 1t has been too much the habit of
ultra men in the southern States to treat with ntol
erancc sentiments of attachment to the Union al
though as great southern statesman as Mr. Calhoun
was of opinion that dissolution would be, except one
alone, the greatestcaamty thatcond bef the people
of the States South as well as North. Gen. Davis is
of the srictest Of the sect of strict construction
lists of the constitution, and of the sannchest of
the statesmen of the Staterghts school In this re-
spectin devotion to these docrines~-he is not whit
behind the southern politicians Of most ultra opin
ions. But there is wide difference between the
manly profession and maintenance Of these doc
trnes, and that spirit of sectional intolerance which
would distrust or mpcach southern man s fidelity
to the South for an expression of warm aspirations
for the perpetuty Of the Union.
The several addresses which have been delivered
by General Davis, at the North during the summer
have not been more distinguished by the spirit of
devotion to the Union which they have breathed
than by the answering fidelity they have evinced
in every sentence and sentiment to the constitutional
doctrines of which he is able and approved an ex-
FOUNDER. These speeches have had an excellent
effect at the North in removing many of the
misconceptions there prevalent in regard to the
temper and purposes of the southern people. Not
less catholic in tone is the speech which we now
have the pleasure of laying before our readers
The perusa of it will be of service at the North
as well as at the South; and, in conjunction with
the late speech of Senator Hammond, will exert
powerful influence in strengthening the bonds of
the Union in all sections and States, after the angry
controversy that has lasted so long and done SO
much to ALLEVIATE, agtate, and divide;
The very men who have assailed Senator Davis at
the South for the cordial expressions of attachment
to the Union which he INDUCED are those who
have been most exacting of aid in behalf of
THEN political policy from the national men of the
North. Nothing efectually strengthens the hands
Of northern democrats in their desperate struggles
at home for constitutional principles than such
speeches from eminent southern men as those which |
have been made by Senator Davis during the summer
and the recent speech Of Senator Hammond at Barn
well Court House, South Carolina and it is out of the
question that politicians at the South who expect
the cooperation of northern at all in the sup
port Of their political measures should be seen as
sailing such speeches with captous bes and crti-
cisms. The language of Senator Hammond on this
subject should sink deep into the minds Of every
southern man who would cherish continued cordial
fight the battles of the constitution so gallaptly at
the North:
But the slave States constituting-and as think
forever to constitutea numerical minority can howev
err accomplish nothing In this Union without the aid OF
faithful allies the States II has of late too
much the habit in the South to mistrust all such allies
10 disparage denounce and to drive them from us
Nothing could be more unwise unjust. 1t is /
Disgusting the truth and justice of our cause,
caumnating human nature TO doubt that there in
the free States thousands OF sound thinking heart
ed and gallant men, who essentially in our
views and are ready to make common with us |
Nay it is falsfying history and fact. During the
late session saw men acting cordially and vgor- |
onsly with against the positive Instructions OF
their excited constituents at the hazard of political
anartyrdom and in two instances that martyrdom
consnmmated before the adjournment. Shall we do no
honor to such menY Shall pay tribute to such !
heroic devotion to TRUTH to justice and the constitution
Shall reyile them in common with oil northern men,
because many reyilc and have betrayed us To be
txuy great must only be Just but generous and
furbearng with oil mankind Let us place ourselves in
the situation of northern public in this great
test consider their danger and responsibilities and
king every allowance for human weakness do homage
the brave and faithful
Much less should revie Senator Hammond |
himself and General Davis for stretching out the
hand of cordially and friendship to the true in
that section of the Union.