The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-04-24
SPEECH OF ~
HON. JAMES CHESNUT,
DELIVERED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1860.

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1860.
Mr. President, the resolutions introduced by
tho Senator from Mississippi are just, and there
fore wise. In regard to the subjects of which
they treat, they announce the true doctrine OF
the Constitution. Among other things, they
Ncnounce two capitals political hcresics; that
(which claims sovereign power for the Govern
1nent, unlimited power over tAs'sublcct; and
that which claims sovereign power for the in
fabitants of a Territory. One leads straight
way to despotisln. The other, by yielding to
aislrpation, abandons the duty aud abdicates
the inst authority of the Governmens&i ab=
hor both. So entirely do concur in the prin-
eiples and the policy announced by the rcsolu-
tiions, that had intended on this occasion to
! ;,liscuss them closely and fully; but as they
nave been composed already by my friend
from Texas, [Mr. Wigfall, wlospokc the other
day on this subject, and as Isha have muclr
else to say, and may speak more directly. here
sfter. will relieve the Senate from the pain of
being carried over theisame ground on those
points, and address myself to some -cognate
matters in which the interests of the country
are concerned.
Since the fist Monday of last December, no.
z table scenes have been presented at the Feder-
al Capitol. The representatives of the people
of the States ard the, representatives of the
States themselves, brought together under the
provisions of a common Constitution, assembled
herewith excited feelings and opposing thoughts.
The collisions thus produced have made mani-
fest TO the world the wide and growing es-
arrangement between them. The opposing
forces havefhad one angry conflict; and now,
.caeh standing on its own ground, they present
themselves front to front, with lowering aspect
tof distrust, discomfort and mutual hostility
Again, they arc preparing for another, fcrccr,
IA grander, and, ircan We hope, a :6nai stragg-
.ciel hesmoke of the FIRST encounter hav-
ing passed away, it may be of some import,to
:snrsey the field and to explore calmly the
,canses which have brought us into this collis-
non. I enter upon, this inquiry with no view
ito agiitate, but | trust with the better motive
of asccrtaining and recognizing the truth, that,
Justice may prevail; and that the rights of
.cach and the good of NIL may BE secured.
For the distracted condition in which the
espnntry is found, many cahses haze been as
.;:gned, VARYING and sometimes opposite; ac-
eording TO the predictions prejudiccs and the
positions OF those who observe. Domestic
African slavery, as it exists in some of these
States iss: cause ycry proxin,ate for present
;i;;,r;fation and disturbance but. sir, beyond
}b;s Here i vct another carsc. which have
Hone noticed wb;cl, has been observed beso;rc
and which is of great force. 1t is the ilisoon-
ce,,t;ons IS, ,aost cases Others te iirnorancc
of the relations, Of the States TO each other
and Of tho Federal Government to tile States !:
!. IN short. Of our system, Of governments Bnt
there IS vet another cause UNDERLYING all. 1t
Is false and fatal theory of society a mis-
chieyous ,nisappreh 81 the true relations
of men 10 each othcr.to lt;osernn,eiit and ITO
society. 8 5es.
Tar syb
Is arises outof this false theory, proceeds from
this misapprehcision. Tle life of their crnsd
IS the equality of all men Of al. races natural
", and, therefore, should be socially and polite.
alv. Their system IS theoretical, aud altogcth-
ser French. of the period of victorious anarchy.
These gentlemen seem to me TO disregard tlie
world as tits, and to ignore the lessons Of ex-
perience; whereas the people. of the South and
the Democratic party of tlie North, generally
adopt different opinions. They regard man as
IS.
tion of idcalists. They regard the races with
tlieir natural INEQUALITIES yarvipp capacitics.
and differing necessities. They believe that
Government. to exercise wisely the functions
for which It was, instituted on earth. must be
Of continual growth: assuming such forms and
prorid;ao. .such laws as the natural INEQUALITIES,
vary;no capacities. and d;fferinr necessities of
the distinct people upon whom it acts NAV
from time to time require With these, expo
riencc is the great. teacher Which holds the
lioht. wbile-reason applies. such teaching to Sc
cure the steady advancement. Of society, and
provide for the wants of its members. One is
aabsolu.c tbcorvs cscooitated from tle brain of
9cycIorsd;sts rcstinas ON visions Of dream.
crs which alI history proves to bc, unsteady
exynlosiiye and ideatrnctiye. Amid eternal con,
fi,s;on it is ever busy in the endless task Of
diIan;dation and rc.cops.rction Tho other
view nroceeds nnon the laws of nature and the
crner;ence of the world. If moves ON the ac-
emulation Of weI-tried facts .oroupcd bv oen.
eralization and imported into the ever.crow-
ino science Of Iunan Governments II adopts
a Sbilosonby which insures stealincss. peacc
and advancement
Here is 4 fundamental difference between
us +: n conflict Of ideas: and according to the
prevalence Of ono or the otllcr must our sys-
tenn of government suryive or perish. Now.
cir let rs look into these causes and see the
practical bearing no. Of them upon the condition
of the country The anti slavery feeling and
action Of the North proceed from combina.