The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-18
DISCUSSION IN THE N. c. LEGISLA-
TIIRE

TURE.
We give below sketch of debate in the Senate on
the 9Th, between Hon. Bedford Brown and Hon. W. W
Avery. Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Avery had presented reso-
| tons passed by citizens of Rowan and Mcdowell coun-
ties in favor of Convention and expressing deter
mination submit longer the aggressons of the
North. The presentation of those resolutions gave
rise to the debate:
| Mr. Brown arose and said that he would take
this opportunity Of expressing his views on the
subject matter of these resolutions, which were
being from time to time introduced, and which it
was likely would be considered abroad the voice of
a ma ority in the State, when Il was his opinion
that nine Of every ten of the people of the State
we're opposed to dissolution of the Union for ex-
isting causes He had high respect for the in
estmable right of petition and wished it distinctly
understood that he believed the memorialists we're
Influenced by noble and patriotic motives but that
| they were too hasty In some things he agreed
with them, in others he differed
| Mr. B. said that he had been among his con-
stituents during the past few days, anG they were
I opposed to such hasty action-that the people of
Caswe were in favor of initiating the glorious ex-
ample of our revolutionary sires in deliberating on
these questions with calmness and lofty pur-
pose of mind, of demanding their rights in the
Union, and guarantees for the protection Of their
property from the North before venturing to dis
solve that glorious compact framed by fathers.
Mr. Brown said that the Southern States should
confer solemnly together this all important SUBJ
ject as the same lot of veal or wo would fall on
them all alike in case of their secession-that North
Carolina should be consulted, and that no State
should seeede without this common consultation
that they should together demand their rig hits,
and in the event of failure to obtain them, act
together as brethren. Gentlemen who had sup
NJ J,,r,n fbo Lotto
had not only said they were not advocating dis
union, and that the election of Lincoln was not
sufficient cause for disunion, but had repeled the
charge as an infamous SANDER. He had not heard
one of them say that the election of Lincoln was
sufficient cause for dissolution of the Union be-
fore the election; but on Wednesday evening had
heard doctrines avowed in meeting in the Com
mons Hall, by an Elector certainly not avowed
during the canvass. Ii it had been generally SO
avowed and believed, he did not believe the Breck-
enrdge ticket would have received 10000 votes in
North Carolina.
What right asked Mr. B., have we to march to
victory under one flag, and in the moment of tri-
umph to raise one entirely different? Was this
good faith to the people? Was this good faith to
| the people? His own opinion that a mere
popular election was no cause for dissouion-that
! the proper mode would be to demand guarantees
for the protection of our property, and that our
rights be properly recognized and if Lincoln in
frnges the Constitution in single Instance, or
| attempts to authority not granted him by that
Constitution then, said he, let the South rise in
might and majesty and expel the tyrant from his
throne Mr. Breckinridge had been charged with
disunion procvities.
Mr. B. read from the Lexington Statesman the
opinions of Mr. Breckinridge expressed few days
since declaring against disunon for existing causes,
and said the opinions of our noble standard bearer
were entitled to respect. If he, Mr. Brown, had
believed these charges would have dropped
him sooner than he would. Mr. Breckenridge had
denied it-he did not think the election of Lincoln
sufficient cause for dissolution of the Union.
Mr. B. thought the opinions Of Mr. Breckenridge
should be entitled to respect-shoud be needed by
the party of which he was the acknowledged
leader in the late election.
Mr. B. said that it was unjust that citizens who
would not fall in with hot haste into the ranks of
secession should be branded as submissionsts that
he was emphatically States right - had
never fought under any other banner, and that the
word submission not in his political vocabu-
larry The secession of one State did not necessa-
rily make it wise or expedient for other Southern
States to 60 with her
Mr. Brown further said, that he believed that
Massachusetts and Vermont were more loyal in
feeling to the government of Great Britain than
considered by him as anything else than calamity.
He was not for that recreant submission that would
surrender the federal government to the bidding of
Wendal Phillips, Garrison, Massachusetts, and the
British crew. 1t was more valiant to Fl ght them
.awhile in the Union. The statutes of the federal
government, protecting slavery were stronger, he
said to-day than ever before The opposition to
Republicanism has large majority in the two
Houses of Congress- and is likely to have for years
to come The Supreme Court is on the side of the
South
Mr. B. concluded by saying that he did not be-
leve that there was one in forty in the State in
favor of secession without first having made de-
mand for guarantees from the North.
Mr. Avery next addressed the Senate Hercgret-
ted that Mr. Brown should have taken this occasion
to indulge in denunciatery terms of the memorial
from his constituents and of those who entertained
the views Set forth in that memorial.
TMr Brown here said that he had expressed
himself as not wishing to impugn the patriotic
motives of Mr. Averys constituents
Mr. Avery continued: That his constituents had
exercised a right in making the requests they had
in the memorial, which they had done respectfully,
and that they were denounced, with those who
thought with them, as disunonists, and ready to
break up the Union for a slight cause.
Mr. Averv said that if Mr. Brown had not said
that the election of Lincoln was sufficient cause
for dissolution of the Union, that he had declared
that his election would bring it about-that in
that case it was inevitable.
Mr. Avery further said, he had never in the
campaign raised the curtain and contemplated dis
union, but that if it necessary be would stand