Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-01-25

lightened me upon the subject; this is class
legislation with a vengeance, and if could
recoliect the Governors speech on that sub
ject, would repeat the whole of il with the
hope that his gic would prevail with his
political friends, and this bill woald thereby
BE- defeated. The subject of slavery which this
bill according 10 its advocates. is designed
to protect and render that species of property
more valuable, is one about which every body
is talking, speaking and writing. but very
few in my opinion, understand its true ma
tare and condition. In my opinion, the
speech delivered by my friend the member
from Henderson (Mr. Shrewsbury, evinced
more common sense, practical wisdom. and
sound philosophy on this subject, than all the
speeches that have ever been made or pub
lished upon this subject here or elsewhere.
This is my candid opinion. and hope the
House will give to bis views that cousidera-
tion their importance demands. If the negro
is treated with kindness and governed with
firmness, he is contented and happy, and will
serve you with devotion and fidelity; he is
not inclined to sedition or rebellion, his natu-
raj position in contact with the white man is
that of sutjection and dependence, and the
people of the Sou.hern States are the only
true friends of the negro, and let us main
tain our true position. and not be driven
iAOn IL ny VIEWS vi tue
either from the North or the South. The
free negro has some rights under our laws.
not so many as the white man. still he has
some and they are as dear to him as my rights
are to me. | viii never consent to lake
away bis rights, except for the commission of
crime. The slave has rights under our laws
against his owner, who is not allowed to in
fiict upon his slave cruel or inhuman punish
ment; he is bound by law to feed and clothe
bis slave, to provide for him in sickness, aud
10 take care of him in old age. / would not
abridge one of his rights under the laws;
being a poor dependent creature, be has
claims upon my magnanimity, upon my hu-
manity, high and sacred claims, to which /
will always promptly respond.
Mr.. Speaker, there is no ''irrepressible con-
fiict" between the free negro and the slave,
or between free labor and slave labor. The
sentiment is erroneous. the statement is not
founded in truth. God created all things for
bis own glory, and designed that each indi
Tidual being should live and move in his own
sphere. and when we are all attentive to our
own duiirs and obedient TO the laws for our
government. there can be no ''irrepressibie
Conflict but we will all move on in one
grand harmonious march TO the end of time
As well might you lock for an ''irrepressible
conflict amongst the starry hosts of heav n.
pursuing their grand flight in their appointed
orbits around their common centre. All the
laws of nature are beautiful, uniform, bar
monious and sublime in their operations, so
with the moral laws, if we follow their teach
ings with cheerful obedience, confidence and
hope the results will be equally harmonious
and uniform. And if the author OF this SEN
timent, the 'irrepressibie conflict doctrine
viii pause. the revealed will Of God as Il
diligeut searcher after truth, with peulteDce
and faith, have no doubt he will he con-
WINGED OF his error. viii make humble con-
fes~ion before The nation, and then he will be
forgiven aud taken back into public favor
and respect.
Mr.. Speaker. throughout this discussion,
have endeavOred to present TO the House,
my views, feelings and opinions, with all the
chndOr, honesty and sincerity of which my
nature is capable, and low, ia compl ance
with this cOuse, and in Obediance 10 the
honest and well settled convictions of my
mind, | must say. in nv humble opinion, the
course pursued by the democratic party of
the South, in reference 10 this slavery agita-
ton, has done more harm to our peculiar in
than all the fdnalicai rawlings of
the whole Black Republican and Abolition
parties of the North. They have constantly
aud persistently charged their political OPP
ponents with want OF fidelity TO the South;
they have p rsecuted every public man
personal and political hatred.
Witness their course towards JOun Bell, they
have charged bin with every offence public
man could be guilty of, from selishness TO
treason. Yet, in my opinion. an ADLER,
purer. more sagacious statesman is not to be
found in all the broad Union. Place him in
the Presidential chair. and, in my opinion,
he would settle this whole slavery question
TO the entire satisfaction of the whole coun-
try; he can resist popular clamor and sectional
he is aiIaid tfnOlhing-eXcept to
10 wrong. Again, sir, there are men on this
lOor, who believe, or affect to believe, that
is unworthy to be voted for for
Speaker; that he is an enemy to Southern
Southern rights and southern
equality Yet. i believe he is one OF the
lruest aud best friends the South ever had,
and | should infinitely prefer to intrust my
interests, my rights and my property, as a
Southern man, to his management and pro-
lection, than to any Southern tire-eatcr. or
rabid pro-slavery man in all the
and. | think | know my own interest and
have the interest of my country at heart.
Other men think differently. that they know
What is b, st for the country, and l accord to
hem that right, but let us act as brethren
md not fall out by the way.
There is another view of this question,
which wish to present to the House, and as
set out to make a confidential disclosure OF
Ill my thoughts. feelings and opinions on
his subject as they shall appear before you
when the great day Of final reckoning shall
.ome, and we shall all stand before the
Great Judge to give an account of all our
thoughts, words and actiOus; we shall all be
here; the free negroes will be there. want
40 accusation brought against me by any of
you, my fellow-mrmbcrs. that l have failed
% do my duty towards you on this occasion,
n faithfully warning and earnestly brseecb-
ng you not TO pcrpeiTate this great and gross
outrage on a poor. desDi~cd defenceless race
Il human beings. want to clear myself of
Ill blame aud all responsibility in this matter
md /, therefore, bcsecch you my fellow-mem-
)ers, with all the caruestness of my whole
ieart, mind and thought, to pause and not
degrade your humanity 10y the preparation
If this cruel outrage.
Mr.. Speaker, If have been so unfortunate
m this or any other occasion as TO give offence
o any member of this House by any thing
have either said or done. | humbly and
most respectfully beg his pardon and implore
forgiveness. | would not wilfally and know
ngly give offence or trample upon the feel
nes. or rights OF the humblest human being
IN the face of the earth. Ii the Almighty
permits him to live aud breathe the free air
II heaven he Is good enough 10 prevent me
rom trampliEg upon his rights or wounding
lis feelings. The earth is large enough for
III the creatures that the Almighty has allow
ID To move and live on the surface thereof.
would not iHterl,re with the rights of any.
can truly say with the Psalmist Let ali
he earth praise the Lord for he commanded
md they were created, let every thing taat
lath breath praise the Lord