Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-05-23

African Slave Trade, which, though generally
satisfactory to the members of the Convention.
was not entirely so. On motion being made
requesting Mr.. Spratt to furnish his speech for
publication, scene of rather an unexpected
nature was enacted. We are unable to give the
account entire, but will make few clips from
the speech of Hon. Henry S. Foote, who Vio-
Ilcntly opposed the printing Of the speech. lie
SAID:
No one, sir, said he, listened to that speech
(of Mr.. Spratt, of South Corolina,) with more
satisfaction than myself, so far as 1t was mere
literary effort. l listened to it with profound
attention, and carefully noted every prominent
feature OF it, The proposition now before the
body, however well intended-as it doubtless
was-is n very extraordinary one. 1t IS one
that is unprecedented on any occasion OF TINS
kind 1t is Of nature calculated, 1t adopted
without due elaboration, to commit to some
extent this whole body to that immense mass OF
new, complex, and as | conceive, dangerous
doctrines with which that speech is tranSht-
For one | am not willing, till shall have an OPP
portunity of bordering over its contents more
solernnly and profoundly, to give my assent IN
any shape or form to the PRONUNCIATION of the
opinions contained in it, or to their diffusion
throughout the community stamped with the
official sanction of this high body. (Uproar and
confused cheers laughter and great excltementj
charge, and am prepared to establish 1t when-
ever have an opportunity of doing SO, that
that speech is fraught with reasonable doc
trines. speak deliberately. speak not as
partisan or a sectonalist. l belong to no po-
iitical party under the sun. No party is respon-
sible for me, and and l am responsible for no
party. [ am affiliated with no body OF men on
any political question. But say deliberately
that however honest and conscientious that gen.
teman (Mr. Sprat0 may be, however high may
be his character in South Carolina, the speech
he has delivered here is fraught with reasonable
matter; and if put in practice by any body OF
men in the manner proposed, they would each
of them be guilty of high treason, and be sub
iect, and deservcdly subject to be hanged by the
neck until they dead, dead, dead
This, sir, is the land of law. Thank God it
is country that is yet replete with the spirit
of heroism that animated our heroic forefathers.
Thank God there are yet numbers OF men In
this land who respect the consultation and the
Union, who reverence the sacred examples Of
their forefathers, who have due respect for
these wise and noble institutions under which
we live, and who have too much regard for the
examples and teachings Of those who preceded
them in this republic to degrade themselves by
practising such doctrines as have been this day
calmly and deliberately proclaimed to them.
The proposition that the Constitution of the
United States is no longer valid and binding
instrument-the proposition that the sacred laws
of the Unon--enactcd by wiser men than now
live and wiser men, fear, than will ever live
IN the country an-(appreciative laughter and
CheerS)-thc proposition that these laws, mark
cd with the most profound wisdom, the object
Of admiration to the most enlightened men of
all nations-that these laws entitled to no
| respect and that violation violation Of them
may be perpetratcd on the high seas and on the
land of this glorious coutinent-that these laws
may be set at naugbt, and the Government
| runctionaries detied. and that reliance may be
confidently placed on the juries of the country
| by perjury to acquit feonS, is one Of the most
nonstrous and vile propositions that could be
made in the hearing of an intelligent and high.
minded people.
sure .9N speak si5 for the country, and take all
the responsibility of what | say. l will meet
the whole band of Southern chivalry at the
swords point, at the pistols mouth, or any
where. (Cheers) have no idea of seeing ury
country's liberties cloven down, the constitution
and the laws Of the country trampled under foot,
and stand by quietly, submitting to that inglo-
rious degradation, without raising my feeble
voice in solemn exclamation against that un-
righteous conduct. l dare the publication of
that speech. l was glad to hear it, for knew
that such doctrines Ind been for sometime
smouldering in certain bosoms, and was afraid
there would not be sufficient manliness and
! frankneSS to disclose them. | wished the mon
ster of treason to unfold himself to public view
that he might be attacked, and, in all his mon
StrOuS de1Ormlty, put to death by the voice OF
freemen. Encouraging cheers.)
do not object to it's publication. chal-
lenge it's publication. All that demand is
that it shall not be published with the official
sanction of this body. I'VE asked to publish
it, par erceltence, as matter of compliment to
it, and as, to some extent the official voice of
this body. 1 am opposed to that If it was a
speech of Henry Clay or Daniel Webster on
question subject to fair dispute, would refuse
that privilege. Neither of these gentlemen
would have ever thought of taking such ad.
vantage over their advcrsarics All ask on
this occasion is fair trial of strength, that
those associated with me and myself may be
allowed to enter the arena on equal terms with
our antagonists, and, God being our helper, I'M
der the shelter of the constitution and the laws
of the Union, the spirit of heightened patriot
ism, and the spirit of oul fathers on high aiding
US in the struggle, we will unhOrse our adverse
rcs and put them to the ground. cloud huz.
zas and great cxcitement) | want fair fight
and no advantage; have no idea of publishing
any mans speech with the officia'sanction Of
this body. l would consider myself presumptu.
Gus if asked that my own should be publish
ed, and should discard the friend who asked
| for me such privilege because II would ha nm