Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-28
RICHMOND wHIG.
SPEECH OF HERsCHEL V. JOHNSON, AT MACON,
GEORGIA

GEORGIA
The great speech of Ex-Governor Herschel V. John
son, Macon, Georgia. the 10Th Of June has been
published and being extensively circulated throughout
the Sou h. IL fill nearly six columns Of the Mobile Re-
gister, aud is powerful argument in favor of Judge
Douglas and his principles, may be judged from the
following concluding paragraphs
Whilst would have the South to cherish the alliance
Of sound Democrats everywhere, yet there is peculiar
propriety under the present circumstances, in standing
! firmly by the Democracy Of the great aud growing
West That section is destined, n distant day, TO
give laws to the Union The census, being taken
will doubtless appotton TO it fifty additional Representa-
tves in Congress Is il not wise for the South pursue
such a will their alliance Another de-
cade will add many more new States to the Union
from the great West is it not the policy OF the South
that they should be Democratic States? But how can
we expect retain their friendship, when we turn our
backs upon them and strike down their great represen
tatye man on whom their pride, admiration, aud alice
ton are concentrates And strike him down. too upon
an issue Of no practical value Whatever-upon point
which have agreed should not be made test of par
ty lealty-upOu demand which violates our plighted
.fai h?
There is no mon of any free labor State who has high
er claims the admiration aud cOnhdenci Of the South
than Mr. Douglas. Hl has stricken more efectua blows
in her behalf endured more abuse and persecution from
the anl-sayery hosts Of the North for his fidelity TO the
COns ution, than any other living statesman. His pub
lie is characterized by briancy and boldness,
coustency and courage activity and ability. He enter
ed Congress in lS4S and his name and fame are init
maely associated with all the great Of policy
which have engaged public attention. down TO the pre-
sent time. He was an able champion in the cause oil
Texas annexation; he has always bled mantuy against
the Wilmot ProyiSo in Congress and at home; he
one of the able and jealous supporters o the late
Mexican war a leading spirit in the passage Of the
fugitive slave law he il the author Of the KansasNe
briska act and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
restriction whereby the principle of non-ineryention
fully established the settled pocy Oft country
To the honor Of flag and TO the progressive spirit
Of the age, be has ever maintained that the bearing OF
this country should be such to demonstrate to all
mankind that America sympahises with every popular
movement against despotism" His life has been devc-
ted TO the country. He has abored for its expansion
for the stability Of its Institutions the perpeuity Of the
Union the equality Of the States and the integrity Of
the Constitution. As Democrat, his zeal has known
abatement. To his wonderful ability his unhinchiug
courage his ervid enthusiasm and his unrng devotion
mainly indebted for the Demo aSceudancy
which obtains in the Northwestern States lie has al
ways been the Constitutional rights Of the South
and where his theoretc opinions upon Territori
al questions regarded erroneous, vet, in action,
he has generally stood by the side Of The faithful OF
her sons; not his honest difference has wrought
lasting injury 10 her cause He s indeed, great Dem
ocrat true patriot ands distinguished statesman. II
the South refuses TO support him, when and where will
she find Northern Democrat whom she trust? Her
policy is to give him generous support and there
by appropriate him, the instrumenalty OF firm, per
petual and cordial alliance with the great Northwest
so potent and destined long, to WELD control
ing power the action Of the Federal Congress.
When ask Congressional protection for slavery in
the Territories we, of accord bring back the
sui ect into the halls OF Congress from which have
abOred for thirty years Danish it, True the power
protect does not involve the power TO destroy but it is
dangerous TO give jurisdiction TO reeso Congress for
any purpose. They will certainly abuse il. Even jurs
dicon for protection II you could coufue it to that sin
gle object carries with it discretion to the time
aud extent Of its exercise which may be easily
perverted to our injury, that, Southern man.
unwilling - invoke it. would rather the Terri,o
rial Legislatures than TO Congress There the compro
mise leaves it under the Constitution ofthe United States
Strict intervention is the best safest and wsest poll
cy for the Southbe,t for the whole country, because
preserves the peace ofthe whole country.
The state OF things which has heRe S0GOii Lincoln aud
Hafn If Breckenridge and Lane should carry every
Southern State it would elect them. There is DO
prospect of their carving single Northern State
oregon and possibly California. That would still not
elect them This is the strongest that can BE- put
for them-strOnger than the probable result will justify
They may lose Alabama and Louisiana. Texas will pro-
badly 90 for General Houston Tennessee and Maryland
for Bell and Everett Hence, he battle must be fought
in the free States and il the friends of the Admins
ton in those States keep up their warfare upon Douglas
by running electoral tickets il will give them all to Lii
cola aud Hamn and secure their election. The South,
who has the most at stake be considered for all
nraecal purposes as out of the She is playing
side game as if for her anusement-t may prove
10 be her own destruction. She ought not to occupy
such position The battle is to be fought, in the free
,bor States between Douglas and Lincoln. She ought
70 take sides with the former in such conflict by her pre-
sent course she may defeat DougIs; she cannot elect
breckenridge By doing the one, and failing TO do the
other she renders the election Of Lincoln inevitable
Nv own views Of duty clear aud fixed. There Is
no need Of this Of party iealy; therefore, OPP
pose IT, There is no good reason for dsmembering the
National Democratic party therefore, shall stand by /;
aud seek TO maintain IT, the only political orginzto
10 which the South can look for safety in the Unon.-
There is nothing present. TO justify section' lem
therefore resist il. The grounds OF quarrel between
the North and the South diedid-seted by the
compromise of 1850; grievances have occurred since
that time the Northern democracy have adhered 10
Their agreement and therefore, am for abiding by tie
existing order OF things There is for seeei-
sion and therefore, not being disunionst per Sc,
feel bound to maintain the Union object worthy of
patriotic desire This is my conception of duty obey
its mandate and welcome the consequences. IT, how
ever the doctrine Of non.uteryenon must at last be
repudiated if the National Democratic party cannot be
preserved if the South shall persist in the policy which
She has inaugurate1 umwisely think until the coun
try shall be forced into great anagonistc sectional
organizations based sectional issues aud bounded by
sectional lines should be recean TO the instincts OF my
heart if did not link my desl ~ with hers, and follow
her fortunes for veal for But long there
is lingering hope of honorable success, will struggle
for the principle Of nonnteryention, the nationality oil
the Democratic party aud the integrity OF the Union.