The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-10-12
SPEECH
OF HON. JAMES CHESTNUT, Jr.
DELIVERED AT CAMDEN, S. &.
September 2sth, 1859.
GENTLEMEN :

quest, | come on tins occasion 10 speak
TO YOU Of the condition, necessities, and
future Of the South. These are themes
of great magnitude and interest To
compass them w.seiv.will require a larger
experience and a sagacity bordering more
CLOSELY on prophecy Than have attained.
But you have been pleased to ask for my
opinions, AID will proceed to announce
them. will not speak to please, but, |
trust, from the higher motive of common
interest, nvol, ed in the welfare of the
State Differences Of opinion. | know,
will exist among us, but, to whatever en-
tent they nay he developed, let them be
held in suhiection to a fair and calm de-
liberation, that we may, in this grave con-
iuncture, place ourselves above the intiu
ences of party and the warping vanities
of self-that we may review and master
our prejudices, (if any we have) and yield
them as a sacrticia! offerings on the altar
OF common good. A. all events, you
are entitled TO candor at my hands.
will try TO reflect the impressions made
on my own mind by the current OF events
and speak TO you in the spirit OF truth
and soberness.
confess tha, feel deep concern that
J cannot perceive those bright unts with
which many gid the future Of the South.
do not believe that we are sailing on a
summers sea, with not a ripple on the
eaters, save that which dashes from the
PROV, as we press onward with swelling
sails in the track OF safe and prosperous
voyage. I would that it were so: for,
with glad heart and trumpet tongue,
mohd sound tho tidings. To my eye she
signs are not SO cheering. Though we
may be sitting iuste sunlight of tran
quil moment, there are visible in the com
bInaLions around. the portcuts OF a com
ing storm-a storm whose raging power
MAY prove sufficient TO crack every rib in
he good Old ship, to dash 1t in pieces,
and drive the diyecta mcnbrd 10 exhibit
new ntliniti-s and assume new forms. AT
such n time, the prudent mariner will not
close hs ewes nor ignore the danger hc
viii be up aud read smuggling to avoid
u. but il 1t must come, to weather 1t if
he can.
H. pnarrstaud Correctly the condition
=" ,.r South, ana lis true significance, we
muSt .,uk back to see what Was done, by
Nhou aud with What result, To his end
Vuu vi, hcar with me wlI.e touch on
TOPICS 50 well known and ltltc TO most Of
y"n.
IT," lingering ,,rugur ~lrirn left the
STATE independent, left them also weak,
and, H. some measure, despiscd by the
greater powers OF the world. Foreign re
Ia,uus, political and commercial, AS well
~ the internal Intercourse Ietween the
States, b"cane :" pressing IN their neces
>iurs rs TO compel the union.
The object of the union being obvious
thc terms andlimtatious OF the bond
w,re specific aud plain. A rested firmly
"n the basis Of equality. The power and
r"spectability OF the whole being thus in
CrroSed-the parts secured against eXter
uai dangers, internal collisions and gener
.t urpA'lou--rhey have at length, in
th,r Federal capacity, assumed high
r"'i'io" among the first class powers OF
the earth.
TIE b"undi"s> resources, the immeasu
rabIe capacity, that vaslness of extent
which comprises the icy regions OF Maine
and the gold hills Of California in short,
the grandeur of the Federal Republic has
ceased, from the acknowledged truth OF
it, to be a mere theme OF silly declama
ton on the lips of vainglorous people
All this is true, and il is also true that il
is one OF the results Of the union. The
South is not insensible TO it, We have
been e!oquently told that, le, the future
briog what II may, our record in the past
OF our country's history is secure. The
contemplation Of the picture Of its power
and prosperity however grand in pro.
portion and rich in colourlng, can bring
no shame, no regret to any southern man
1t is the voucher in part Of his own intel
llgence, patriotism and success. He may
regret however, indeed he must regret,
that fabric so great--a government so
adequate to its ends must fall beneath a
blind rage for pelf and power, or by the
sapping and mining process OF ignoole
faction, stimulated by foreign policy.
1t is a an old trick Of cunning poiti
clans to impute to the South an early and
deep disaifection--as il to constitution.
al Union and TO impart to its noblest
uoui PdbiOHa
tice, the hueof treason. History proves
them alike untrue. II will prove that,
while the South contributed much 10 the
formation Of tie Union, il has sacrificed
40 less to its preservation. II will show
contributions and sacrifices as manifest
muuifcence and dsyo,ion--but which in
the end may prove the most calamitons
weakness.
While the pressure from without forced
. the States 10 assume the external appear,
ance Of firm aud enduring unite, they
were not harmonious within. In tile Con.
gress Of the confederation disputes and
jealousies we're manifested between the
northern and southern colonies. But il is
worthy Of remark that these disputes
arose from the dreaded accumulation Of
power by some Of the Southern States
and not so much from any III feeling on
the subject of slavery. We have no rea