Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-21
Railg virsiaiau.
NELSON'S GREAT UNION SPEECH.


substitute, being under consideration. Mr.. Nell
son of Tennessee thus addressed the House:
Mr. Nelson. Nothing hns been said by any
gentleman in this body with respect to the lesou
t on offered by tho gentleman from Nor;h Carroll
ma, Mr.. Gilmer, and he and occupy posi-
tion here between the dominant parties Of tho
House and country, trust that | will be allowed
although had hoped TINT it would have fallen
into ADLER hands to do soto say something to the
House in behalfof that resolution.
am one of those, Mr.. Clerk. who believe that
tho resolution of the gentleman from North Caro-
lima ought to be adopted, in preference to tho res
olution offered by the gentleman from Missouri.
Mr.. Clark | was panied to sec the resolution
introduced by the member from Missouri While
| go rs far as any other mtn in tho South or
North to denouncc that most infamous publica-
lion that has excited the attention of this House,
l. for ono, think-with great Difference to the sen-
timents that have been expressed on the other
side-that We giving too much dignity and
Importance to most infamous publication. |,
for one am not in favor of placing Mr.. Helper
and his book in the same enyiablo notoriety TINT
Erostratus acquired by destroying the Ephosan
temple. ]. for one. am opposed t damning his
name to everlasting fame, by placing it on the re-
cords Of this House and handing it down to an in
glorious Immortality. IL seems to me--with great
Difference to the opinions of other gentlemen who
have expressed different sentiments-that we are
dignifying :his infamous pamphlet too much by
giving it the notice, which it has commanded
here
think that the resolution Of tho gentleman
from North Carolina answer the purpose desg gn
cd by the mover Of the other resolution, and is
more in accordance with the dignity Of this lIod~e
and the gravity Of Legislative proceedings than
the resolution offered by the gentleman from Mis-
souri. And why should We not n come, up, from
the East and from the West and from the North
and from the South, and record voices in ia
vor of the resolution offered by the gentleman
from North Carolina, which contains nothing that
by any legitimate construction or intendment,
could Le construed ns wounding the feelings of any
member of the House? Why will we not nl vote
for these resolutions! They breathe the spirit of
the two rrent parties that have hitherto controlled
alternately, the destinies of this great country
One portion of their resolution is copied from the
resolutions of the Democratic party in 1852, an
other is copied from the resolutions OF the Whg
party in the same year. The sentiments that nre
avowed in the resolution of the member from
North Carolina are-I respectfully submit to the
gentleman from Missouri-infnitely moro com
prehensive than tho resolution which he has Of
fercd her; BECAUSE whilo his resolution sgnalixes
n particular publication, and gives it n notoriety
which is altogether unworthy its nature, tho res
olution offered by the gentleman from North Caro-
lima condemns the slavery agitation in every shape
and form. l. Tor one, prefer, therefore. the reso
luton offered by the gentleman from North Caro-
lima, and earnestly insist on its adoption by this
House.
There is one thing Mr.. Clerk. which think
cannot fail to have struck the mind OF every pa
triot and every member of this House. We meet
together under most extraordinary circumstances.
An event of most exciting character has occurred
in one of the States of tho Union, and it is natural
that there should be a feeling of excitement on
the part especially of those who represent that
State on this floor. 1t is natural that there should
be feeling of sympathy among those of us who
live in adjoining States but at the same tlne Mr.
Clerk, | maintain that We may carry this feeling
of excitement etoo far. | know that a sentiment
exists on part of portion of the members OF this
IIouse-udging at least. from the conduct Of those
who represent part of the Northern States-that
this excitement ia altogether unnecessary, that
there is no cause for it, and that it better comports
with their dignity aRd With their honor that they
should not participate in the discussion which has
taken place here. Permit me to sny to those who
entertain that sentiment that think they under
rate the state of excitement that exists at this tme
in the southern States. And while belong, Mr..
Clerk, to O minority here, and while cannot ex-
pect that the'santiments to which shall give utter
ance will meet the approval of either of the domi-
nant parties in this House. beg lesye to call the
attention Of the House to what | regard as the
alarming crisis thnt exists in the history Of our be-
| loved land | wish to do this temporarily and
moderately. | wish to do it in spirit of perfect
respect 10 every ReHtlendI Vi tHc NbTtl uIu vi
the South When we look to the South. we find q
state of excitement there that's in accordance with
past events What do We find on the part of a
considerable and highly respectable number OF the
| southern States Of ths'Union? Is it not some
thing like determination to precptate n crisis?
Fer one, do not agree either with the extremists
of the North or with tho extremists
of the nth. When you look at the history of
parties in this country, it is an undeniablo fact
that notification had its origin in South Carolina;
and from that day to the present the spirit of null
fcation, of secession. of disunon, has never slept
| or slumbered The snake Qualification has been
scotcbed not killed. That feeling existed during
the lifetime of its great leader; and of the last
letters he ever wrote-his letter to Colonel Tar.
pey-was one in which q meeting or organization
of the southern States recommended. In ad-
dtion to that, We have had further proceedings on
tho Part of the South which, l trust, cannot
command the appreciation of majority OF patriots
in the country. With all thar, MT only did the
spirit of notification display itself in 1892 but it
has continued to exist since that time in various
forms ard shapes which will not now take time
to portray
A spirit of discord exists between the extremes
of this Union. This was met, and in my humble
| Judgment is proper condemned in the resolution
which has been offered by the gentleman from
North Carolina, Mr.. Gilmer.
| do not propose, in any remarks shall make
upon this occasion, to enter into any thing like an
elaborate discussion Of these subjects; butI think
it may not be improper to call the attention Of the
House to some of the facts which cannot have
| faded from their recollection. We all know that
although the spirit Of notification was for the
time being quoted by the strong and energetic
| measures of General jackson yet every occasion
| in which hostility to this Union could be nantes.
ted, since that memorable period, has been seized
| No longer ago than 1850, stntc of things exis-
ted which was unexampled in the history of the
country unless it may haze been in the Congress Of
1920, when the hearts of patriotic men from every