Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-29
The Southern Stale Rights Programme

The Southern State Rights Programme
The Southern Democracy are bold and def
ant to the Northern wing of the party, and
present the alternative Of submission or dissolu-
ton. The Tribune says ''it is reported in
Washington that the Mississippi State Con-
vention have instructed their delegates to the
Charleston Convention to withdraw from that
body unless they succeed in engrafting upon
the platform the repeal of all laws against the
African slave trade, and the enactment by Con-
gress oflaws for the protection of slave proper
/ ty in the United States Territories. The South
{ arolina delegation will follow them The
next movement in the programme is to call
Convention, if it is not already called, of dsaf
fected Southern States, to meet on the goth of
November, to declare the dissolution of the
Union, and to induce many States as will
cooperate to withdraw from it."
The Hon. VIM B. Yancey, of Georgia, one
of the leading Democrats of the South, deliv-
cred political speech at Columbia, s. c., July
18th, in compliance with the request of a COM
mtJee OF citizens. The K'chmond EuquIrur nas
published it in full, without word of Dissent
1t fills over five columns of that large paper,
and is devoted entirely to slavery, Democracy,
and disunion. 1t virtually sustains the pro-
gramme above stated. Mr. Yancey says Mr.
Douglas asserts that a Terril orial Legislature
may rightfuly make slavery the subject of un-
just discrimination. We meet this proposition
by demanding the same protection by law for
the rights of Shareholders which is given by
law for the protection of the rights of the hold
ers of any other species of property. The
South makes no demand for a slave code She
does demand, EIhe will insist upon it, she will
have it, al equal protection to slavery with that
giveh to all other species of property. If she
cannot get that protection in the Union, she
will have it out of it." [Applause.l
After discussing the (" great principle of ex-
nansion," on the basis that "our slave in
stitutions and the institutions resting upon
them, form the best governmental policy in
the world" Mr.. Yancey declares that " the
great power of the South is the Democratic
party, and it is of the highest importance that
the South should have that party its ally in
this contest :" and he then proceeds to bring the
Northern Democracy up to the bull-ring as he
does his cringing slaves to the whipping.post.
Dough. face Democrats will hear, trembIe, aud
obey Mr.. Y. insolently and treasonably says
To obtain the aid Of the Democracy in this
contest, it is necessary to make a contest in its
Charleston Convention In that body, Douglas
adherents will press his doctrine to decision.
If the ST. tes Rights men keep out of that Con
yention that decision must inevitably be
arainst the South, and that, either in direct ia
yor of the Douglas doctrine, or by the endorse
ment of the Cincinnati platform, under which
Douglas claims shelter Tor his principles The
States Rights men should present in that Con-
vention their demands for approval, and they
will obtain an endorsement OF their demands,
or a denial If endorsed we shall have greater
hope Of triumph within the Union If denied
in my opinion the States Rights wing should
sece from the Convention and appeal to the
whole people of the South without distinction
Of parties, aud organize another convention
upon the basis of their principles; and 90 into
the election with a candidate nominated by it.
az a grand Constitutional party But in the
Presidential contest, Black Republican may
be elected If this dire event should happen,
in my opinion the only hope OF safety for the
South is a withdrawal from the Union before
he shall be inaugurated; and the sword and the
Treasury of the Federal Government shall be
placed ia the keeping Of that party. would
suggest that the several State Legislatures
should, by law, require their governments,
when it shall be made manifest that the Black
Republican candidate for the Presidency will
receive a majority of the electoral votes, to call
a convention of the people Of each State to as.
semble in ample time 10 provide for their safe
ty before the 4th Of March, 1861. II, however,
a Black Republican should not be elected then
in pursuance Of the policy Of making this con
test within the Union, we should initiate
measures, in Congress-, which should lead to a
repeal of all the unconstitutional acts against
slavery. If we should fail TO obtain SO just a
system of legislation, then the South should
seek her independence out of the Union ZAP
plause