Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-03-06

| friend, with whom was associated for many
years in the House of Representative; and I
believe he is yetsliving, a respected and yene-
| rable citizen of Georgia. beg leave to read
q few paragraphs from this letter, and if it
We're not too great tax on the Senate,
| think in these times il would not be unprofta-
bic to read the whole of it, because l claim it
| TO be prophetic to a great extent. In that
| letter, declared:
!" The deliberate and persevering obstnacy with
which the supporters OF the Administration in the
slave States, persist in making abolition Of the Is
sues between the two great parties which divide the
country, consider wicked and niischievous in the
highest degree. That all the apprehensions Of
eesson OF strength 70 the abolition movement in the
event of Wing success and the consequent alarms for
the safety OF the South necessarily proclaimed by
the parsans of Ar. Van Buren, in that section ut
terly groundless; careful observer Of the crcum
stances OF the times and of the state OF the abolition
| question, can for moment doubt If any guarantee
for the security Of southern institutions wanting,
in addition TO those the welI-known feelings and
opinions Of General Harrison, and the great body OF
his northern supporters il be provided IN the de-
cided generous and united support which the whole
South and Southwest may accord To his pretensions-
If there is gentleman the South who really feels
the alarm be processes he will perceive that the only
safety, the present aspect OF parties is for the slave
/ States to rally upon General Harrison.
Such manifestation Of confidence IN the great Wing
majority III the North aud East, could net fail 10 in
crease the existing good feelings among them towards
their southern brethren: while the ties of party asso
4
constitutional obligation sustaining southern rights
But what ought to be the Of Indignation and
punishment which should be dealt out 10 those hollow
and false guardians Of southern interests, who will,
for the sake OF triing party advantage put every
/ thing TO hazard by perpetual agitations''
OF course meant this TO apply to nobody
now in public life.
"For there Is and always has been, quite much to
be apprehended on this subject from those who sgi
tate the question on political account in tie South
rom me Aboiluonists themselves
II nave been member OF Congress, you know.
from the commencement Of the agitation upon this
subject have witnessed all that has taken place in
Congress in relation 10 1t. saw, and think fully
understood the game that was playing by some gentle
man. butt not inclined take part in il, because
| thought the stakes too high
/ meant that had no desire to take part in
| il as party man. The stakes We're too high
the Union, and the interests bound up with
| the Union.
at was the common impression that the first move
ments of the Abolitonists at the North not
ed upon with any deep regret by portion Of our fell
| low-citizens at the South"
| l have the evidence to prove it.
''Their fanatic spir: rather provoked than de-
preciated The North, without distinction, freely
charged with settled feeling of hostility Southern
interests and institutions; and many injurious
Elections were cast upon their motives calculated
give strength 10 the cause of the fanatics, by uniting
with them more rational and calculating class Of the
Northern people. The motive TO this policy in the
South. whatever extent il adopted was beyond
all doubt, 10 combine the South and Southwest
closely in their political movements and preferences
! then thought the experiment dangerous one re-
garding it in political view only; for struck
that if the ambitious aspirans Of the North should
take il their heads play the game
in retaliation, the South would be thrown
settled minority, and forthwith deprived Of political
power Nothing iii that event would be left for them
but unconditional submission or disunion."
do not charge my colleague with having.
| by the course of argument he has thought
! proper to pursue in relation to me, entertained
any such views as charged then existed at
| the South-the views of goading. and insult
| inr nd tho af fba
| in body as Abolitionists. never considered
! this as likely 10 result in anything else than
| the greatest mischief and perhaps most unfor-
| tunate catastrophe that could befall the coun-
try, In this latter 90 on to quote the SEN
| tments of some gentlemen ON the subject, at
| that period.
'In confirmation Of what have written upon this
point permit to refer you TO debate in the Senate
of the United States, in 1885, which have escaped
! YOUR recollection / desire your attention particularly
t. the evidence be found in that debate, that there
then strong conviction at the North of the exis
tence OF some sinister management in the South con
nected with this subjict. viii first quote few pas
sages from the speech Of the Hon Isaac HILL of New
Ham shire" the reputed author Of the address put
forth by the late Baltimore convention and circulated
! extensively il the extra Globe.
- Now sir a. much as abhor the doings Of weak
wicked men, who moving this abolton question
at the North yet have not as bad an opinion Of them
as have of some others vino are attempting TO make
Of these puerle proceedings an object of alarm 10 the
! whole South.
OF all the vehicles, tracts, pamphlets and news
papers printed and circulated by the Aboltonists there
are twenty of them who have contributed so
much to the excitement single newspaper printed
in this city. | need not name this paper, when in
form you for the last five years has been labor
ing 10 produce northern and southern party To fan
the fame of sectional preiudces; 10 open wider the
breach drive harder the wedge which shall divide
| the North from the South.
1t is the newspaper which libels the whole North
by representing the almost united people Of that re-
eon insincere in their efforts 10 prevent the mis-
chief Of a few fanatica and misguided persons who
are engaged in the abolition cause"
Then quote Mr.. Niles authority, quite as
| strong as Mr. Hills, and perhaps stronger, and
/ add
.My opinion was that whether the petitioners had
strict right ON their side not sound policy die
taed the reception and reference Of their petitions.
believed that any unusual course in regard 10 them
would give undue Importance 10 the movements OF the
Abotionsts, furnish new ground for agitation, and
rather Increase the existing excitement than alay IT,
In my opinion report from committee at each SEES
sion-tcmpcrate yet firm, and unqualified in ITS con
clusion-wUuld have been well calculated 10 correct
false impressions the North; dispel preudiccs,
and prevent that fermcnt and angry feeling al the
South which at that stage Of the question was cacua
/ ted do mischief. Whether right wrong and
without pretending 10 eensure those friends VIII" dii
fcred from have uniformly held these opinions: yet
! will add that few gentlemen in the south would he
more prepared Tor prompt ana decisive measures oil
aud protection, should the rights aud inter
Of the South connected with this subject ever be
invaded through Congress- or otherwise than myself
This question very fully discussed IN the SEN
1886. / will estracta few passages relating 10
this point from the speeches several gentlemen Of
! hate ] will first present Won with a short extract
from the speech Of the Hon. Isaac HIM. whose opn-
ions already been referred another point;
q" Deny (said Mr. HID the right Of petition 10 tho
I misguided men and women who are induced from no
bad petition for the abolition uf slavery IN
the District and you do 20 increase their num-
hers than will thousands Of dollars paid IN the cmsa
rcs who the country To distribute abolition
| tracts, and 10 spread abolition doctrines
al will request your attention TO the sentiment OF
/ the Hon Mr.. Wall senator from New Jersey
g sir all, North, and South, abhor AbotionlsIn
aud incendarisIn. But what is s II is crinlsoning
the religion of peace with the blood Of fellow
Il setting the whole edce, order purify
from the stain OF single spot. THIS, sir, Is mono
| m1niaisni is fanacal- How, SIR, this he put
DOWN. By persecutionf No. sir, Il Is rs htc's buoi,
It's atmcnt Sir tine only way of putting down anaii
csm by infsnIy rdicgle The history oi fanati
in all ages, and Ia all countries, teaches Us this
! lesson
This was in support of the policy Of receir-
| ing abolition petitions Now. hear the strong
language Of Mr. buchanan. OF Pennsylvania.
on the subject Of receiving abolition petitions;
and trust shall have the attention of hon
orable Senator'S, while / read the opinion Of
/ Mr. Buchanan
LET be understood that the sacred right Of
petition and the of the Abolitonists
must fall together aud the consequences must be fatal
seriously wat situation they place their friends 20
the North by insisting that this petition shall moi be re-
| ccived.
Eve have just as little right 10 interfere with slavery
IN the South have touch the right Of prtltion-
Whence this right deriveds Can republican govern
ment exist without ~ Man might well attempt 20
without breathing the vital air. No government
possessing OF the elements of liberty, has ever
isted ever, exist, unless the citizens or sub
/ iects enjoy thts right"
looSdUnED aoSpAyl