Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-08-07
Senator Hammond's Speech.

Charleston McrcWy:
When he went to the federal Congress
six months ago, he found the admission of
Kansas, under the Lccompton Constitution,
the all-absorbing and exciting subject be-
fore the representatives of the people and
the government. TO him the whole theory
and scheme of squatter sovereignty WAS a
matter of disgust The Kansas Nebraska
bill was a dclusion and deception from the
beginning. He felt satisfied that on that
basis the South would never unite The
President plead and tried to do his best,
North and South; but it was evident that
it was subject fraught with trouble lie
(Nlr ii. } was ever opposed to tltis Kansas
Nebraska bill; and if there was a single
good feature in it, it was that it allowed the
people, free from interference, to frame
principles for themselves after their own
fashion. 1t was a snare to those at the
South 1t was rotten with fraud, and
those who made it finchcd from its consc-
quonccs. Its only effect was to add anoth-
or State to the Union. His hearers knew
that Kansas, so far as Congress can admit
it, was now admitted, with the Lecompton
Constitution, and without the Green pro
vso. Mr.. III. reviewed briefly the admis-
sion of Kansas, under the Conference bill
questioned if Congress can call a State
Convention, and considers it dangerous
precedent. He alluded to his own position
and that of Mr.. Bonhaln the Representa-
tive of Edgofcld. He found no fault with
the honorable gentleman. Mr. Bonham
may have been right, and he may have been
wrong. If Mr.. Bonham erred, his error
was on the safe side. He was worthy ofal
confidence, since he acted from the honesty
of his convictions, and such man should
be honored and cherished by his consttu-
cnts.
Mr.. Hammond then alluded to other top
les before Congress during the session
lie voted for the increase of the Army and
Navy. He had heard number of sopho
more speeches against increasing these arms
| of International defence. They were worthy
of college students, rather than grave Sen
ators of the nation. lie apprchcnded little
danger from a standing army; and, as to
the extravaganza of these measures, he re-
piled to Senators that if the expenses of the
departments had been examined, they would
be found double that of the army. The
navy should be increased, because the South
was utterly indGfcnsible in its present con-
dition. In the port of Charleston there
was but one naval steamer of light draught.
The Southern coast needed for its protection
a numerous fleet of small vessels. The fact
is, our navy was now what it was forty-ive
years ago, and is in sad and dsgraccful
condition.
Senator Hammond said he would now
address himself to the great question of the
relations of the North and South. He
would speak as he thought aud it would
give him pleasure for his hearers to take
what he said in the spirit in which it was
uttered. In his opinion, there were many
grounds for apprehension at the South !;
but there were also strong reasons for hope
and confidence. Whatever relations might
eventuate between the North and South,
they would be in the end consistent with
the rights and security of this section
Under the present aspect of affairs the
South would have to remain in the Union.
He would rather see the game played out
between the North and South, than see the
Union brought to an end. If we had dis
solved the Union and had engaged in a
brush with some people (Which must occur
in setting up for ourselves and lawfully cs-
tablishing our institutions, J it would have
been best for u.s. But now if we can rule
in the Union, let us remain. BY the word
rute, he did not mean the securing high of
fee to Southern men. The achievement of
success in elections is insignificant in com
parison with the establishment of those
great principles of free government which
the South has fixed her stamp-those true
and just principles which should govern the
world. The United States now stands in
the first rank of nations. To obtain this
position out of the Union, the South would
require many years.
Mr.. Hammond then took up Senator
Stewards remark, that the battle If the sec
tions was fought and won in 1850. He
admitted that battle had been fought be-
tween the sections and lost to the South.
There was, however, another greater battle
fought and won. This threw the farthing
candlc-light of the New York Senator vic
tory in the shade. The New York Senator
meant that at the North they had major
ity, and finally succeeded in drawing sec
tional line that they were united in Con-
gress and were nineteen free to fifteen slave
States (wcre it not for the gallant little Del
eware we might have said twenty to four
teen,) This was the result of the physical
Numerical battle and victory Our battle
and victory was amornl one, in stommne and
checking the false and absurd philanthropy
of the civilized world on African slavery
lie did not,heed then th;s boest 80 No,ti,