The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-07-06
~ FTOAH ne NpnstIfnfiOn
The African Slave Trade Hsresv...Re.
marks of the Secretary of uAe Inte-
rior at RaIeioh

49, @SNAVASA'
The observations attributed to the Hon 1A.h
Thompson in notices of his recent speech Ralefs
have excited good deal of comment, especially
in regard to dsunionists, North and South and
the re-opening of the African Slave Trade. Much
interest has, consequently, been awakened to know
what vas actually said. The sketch first given in
the Southern papers being exceedingly meagre. We
deem 1t but just to the Secretary now to present
more fully that portion of his remarks wherein he
alluded to the subjects in question. IL will be
seen that he spoke of the movement in his own
State with as much plainness and direetness as he
used in commenting on the disunion dogma OF the
North:
The President (said Mr.. Thompson has referred
in appropriate terms to the steadiness and uni
formity with which North Carolina has ever main
tained the Union of the States. While respond
to this sentiment, ! must also refer to her temper
ate rmness in maintaining the rights of the South
IN their full integrity. A true devotion to the
Union Is not Inconsistent with apfinching ad-
voeaey Of every right secured to the South by the
Constitution. But hope will not offend in call
ing your attention to the peculiar phase of public
questions as they are now presented for public dis
eussion- The era for practical questions seems to
have passed. This may be characterized as the era
OF exciting speculative politics. Practical ques-
tions no longer excite, longer produce a sensa-
tion: speculative theories have taken their place,
and We are called upon TO take our position upon
them. A leading politician of the North who is
regarded great prophet Of great northern par
tf1 tne p0liilcal dogma JnaI LDeFe Is an
irrepressible conflict between the institutions of
the North and South; that the Union cannot en-
dure with the continued existence of both; that
the Constitution adopted by fathers is Insult
eient to secure the rights happiness, and pr0speri
ty OF all. In plain words, this Union is failure;
and he is fer revolution or disunion. / regard him
and bis party Observation-Disclosures per Sc
because his theory can never be reduced to prac-
tee without leading to this inevitable result. We
will discard this theory with contempt There is
also smother speculative question arising in op-
posite direction. In my State another class of
restless Fefermers have started movement which
demands the opening of the foreign slave trade.
Laws which were passed fifty years ago, at the ur-
gent instance of the Southern States, prohibiting
the slave trade have been disoaxered to bs aaeon-
con ntinna1sce on the
statnts book y Instructive of the progress and
prosperity of the South. In the advocacy of this
new theory some able men have enlisted; but do
not believe there is among them who believes
the ends he aims at ever hs ACCOMPLISHED while
he Union lasts; and God forbid that a. movement |
'raught with such unnumbered curses upon the
south should ever succeed But suppose the de-
nand is made upon Congress to e-open the slave
rade, and Congress should refuse to yield to the
lemand. shall the South, taking Ere at the refusal
trike for disunion? For one, shall oppose the |
of the foreign slave trade, in the Union
r out.of it; and when that movement is made |
which fear NOT you may up the stars aud |
tripes will rally under that flag. In North |
}arolina, in that day, do not believe there will
e any division.