The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1859-07-16
Ex-senator Rhctt On Union iaMd Dis
union.

Ex-senator kShCot On OmAOm iaN0 DASe
union.
Hon. r. b. Rhett, formerly Democratic Sen
aior in Congress from South Carolina, delivered
Al Grafton at Grahamville, in that State. on the
sih What he thinks Of Union and Disunion,
d the relative position OF Republicans and
Democrats on that question, and of The Slavery
gtation 10 general, will be seen from the follow
irg extracts, which we take from his speech as
rported in the Charleston News
! "When, in the Senate Of the United States, I
deemed it expedIent, plainly and frankly, to ad.
vOeaie dissolution OF this Union, and the es-
Adjustment of Southern Confederacy, Il was
moi so ignorant OF human affairs as not to know
that my position was exceedingly adverse to the
greater part OF the people OF the United States,
and to none more so than TO the political Abo-
htionis;s, the Stewards, the Hales and the Sum.
ners OF ti.e North They are, therefore, Union
men at all hazards. You have made them
Union men, For. with nothing In she North
TO support their pretensions, they are the last
people 10 desire dissolution Of the Union.
After the compromise Of 1852, what was
the resuts Have you had that peace and quiet.
ness, that peace and safety which was told you
That compromise would bring you! Why, ever
snce tie foundation Of the Government, has it
ever been SO fierce as within the last few years!
The present President of the United States is
practical exponent OF public opinion. Person
ally, he Is my friend. In the controversy OF
1867, he wrote a letter TO meeting in Phila-
delphia. ln that he says:-' The agitation at
ioe North on the subject Of domestic slavery
vii have its day. We have already reached,
o. passed the crisis. Should this prove to be
'he case, the country viii be the better for the
agitation, and the atmosphere be purer' That
WASH 1852. But how is it now! Mr. Buchanan
vas elected President Of the United States, and
'gore TIE frst Congress- met, his Administration
va E' prostrated on this very subject Of slavery
LAsn ras got up the Kansas compromise, the
most dsxedita5ie and most aisgraceful that
fa' Ger brought up public OCCASION"
80 much for the notorious English bill. Mr..
Khsst further said
Ny friends, prognOstics Of u Union in the
Nuth are not without encouragement. There
Ne premonitions Of q moral as well as pb al
'snedy. Did you hear the mutterings Of the
tempest coming en- the eve of the Presidential
sscuoug 1t is true heretofore our policy has
tten submission. In that policy We have lifted
Up some OF the most bitter enemies OF the North
Ahss been in vain that such as Dickinson and
N Everett have told them you vii! dissolve this
lnon. Are you willing to be ruled by such
nen as the Wilson's, tbs Chases and the Sum
lers Of the Northg
let US make up our minds; the North be-
comes sectionalized; we will scctOnalize fol-
our defence. We have done this. II we dc
ao seeiionalize for our defence, the result il
senay be overwhelmed. Throughout the CON
'iaeht 81 The Southern States sce see tie people o.
20 South uniting their forces. The Wing party
&c ,aAlag the positions for the rights Of the
seth, and the Democratic party dare not fail
" n The Presidential election, our rights are
'S'onous, then we have . guarantee and aI
sseu,y OF better future il, ON the contrary
s"'e" think most certain to be The case, then
f'ho', let Us separate from the North
st he siorious day -spring OF Southern Con
s.els,F At length arise upon our troubled