Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-12-28
that fraternal feeling and confidence which have


made us great and happy people.
But it seems to me that if my opinions are OF any
importance to my countrymen, they now have them
in much more responsible and satisfactory form
that could give them by participating in the pro-
ceedings of any meeting. My sentiments on this
unfortunate question of slavery, and the constlt'
tional rights of the South in regard to it. have not
changed since they were made manifest to the whole
country by the performance of painful official duty
in approving and enforcing the fugitive slave law.
What the Constitution gives | would concede at
every sacrifice. would not seek to ENJOY its bene-
fits without sharing its burthens and its responsible
lities. know of no other rule of political right or
expedency. Those my sentiments then-they
are my sentiments now. 1 stand by the Constitu-
ton of my country at every hazard and am pre-
pared to maintain it at every sacrifice.
Here might stop; but since have yielded to
the impulse to write, will not hesitate to express
very briefly, my views on one or two events which
have occurred since retired from office, and which,
in all probability, have given rise to your meeting
This cannot do integibly, without, brief refer
ence to some events which occurred during my ad-
mratiOn.
All must remember that in 1s49 and 80 the
country was severely agtated on this disturbing
question of slavery. That contest grew out of the
acquisition of new territory from Mexico, anda con-
test between the North and the South as to whether
slavery should be tolerated in any part of that terri
tory. Mixed up with this was claim on the part
of the saveholdng States that the provision of the
constitution for the rendition of ugitves from SER
vice should be made available as the law of 1913 on
that subject, which depended chiefly on State Off
GERS for its execution had become imperative, be-
cause State officers not obliged to perform that
duty.
After severe struggle, which threatened the in
tegrity of Union, Congress finally passed laws set
<1;, ~ tha No
people for time seemed to acquiesce in that COM
promise as final settlement of this exciting ques-
ton and it is exceedingly to be regretted that mis-
taken ambition or the hope of promoting party
triumph should have tempted any one to raise this
question again. But in an evil hour this Pandora's
box of slavery was again opened by what conceive
to be an unustifiabe attempt to force slavery into
Kansas by a repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and
the floood of evils swelling and threatening to
overthrow the constitution, and sweep away the
foundation of the government ITSELF and deuge this
land with fraternal blood may all be traced to this
unfortunate act Whatever might have been the
motive, few acts have ever been so barren of good
and so fruitful of evil The contest has eXasperated
the public mind, North and South, and engendered
feelings of district and may say hate, that fear
1t will take years to wear away. The lamentable
tragedy at HarperS Ferry is clearly traceabe to this
unfortunate controversy about slavery in Kansas.
and while the chief actor in this criminal invasion
has exhibited some traits of character that challenge
our admiration yet his fanatical zeal seems to have
blinded his moral perceptions, and hurried him into
an unlawful attack upon the lives OF peaceful and
unoffending community in a sister State, with the
evident intention of raising servile Instruction
which no one can contemplate without horror; and
few | believe very few, can be found so Indifferent
to the consequences of his acts so blinded bv ia
natical ZEAL not to believe that he justly suffered
the penalty of the law which he had violated
cannot but hope that the fate of John Brown and
his associates will deter all others from any unlaw-
full attempt to interference the domestic affairs Of
sister State. But this tragedy has.n closed and
Virginia has vndicated the supremacy of her laws,
and shown that she is quite competent to manage
her own affairs and protect her own rights. And
thanks to an overrulng Providence. this question
of slavery in Kansas is also settled and settled
in favor of freedom. The North has triumphed,
and, having triumphed, let her, by her magnani-
nifty and generosity to her Southern brethren,
show that the contest her part one of prnci-
pie and not of personal hatred the low ambition
of sectional triumph
Finally, if had the power to speak and there
were any disposed to listen to my counsel, would
say to my brethren of the South: BE not alarmed,
for there few, very few at the North who would
Justify in any manner attack upon the instit,,-
tons of the South, which are guaranteed by the
constitution. We are all antslavery in sentiment,
but We know that we have nothing to do with it in
the several States, and do not intend to interfere
with it. And | would say to my brethren of the
North. Respect the rights of the South; assure
them by your acts that you regard them as friends
and brethren And l would conjure all, in the
of all that is sacred to let this agitation
with the causes which have produced it. Let har-
mony be restored between the North and the South,
and let every patriot rally around national flag
and swear upon the altar of his country to sustain
and defend it am, with great respect your obedi-
| ent servant,
MJTTARN FIT MODE