New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-26
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.
MIR. KEITT'S SPEECH.
Secession Meetings In The South.
VIEWS OF THE SOUTHERN PRESS,
MR.. STEPHENs's sPEECH-THE NoRTH AND
THE SOUTH.

To ne Hon. A. H. sTEPHEss of Georgia:
SIR: In common with thousands Of Northern
Republicans, have read your statesmanlike protest
against the l-considered secession movement of the
extreme South But while its concilaiory spirit has
awakened my sincere respect for yoursel, the con-
ditons Which You prescribe essential to the pes-
manence Of our Union seem TO me inadmi&ibe on the
part of the North, and wholly inconsistent with the
possibilities Of the Gaze Believing that union is
still Theoretically possible between the two sections n
spite Of the discrepancy Of principles, upon terms
honorable TO both let briefly sate The and ask
for II your candid consideration.
The people of the South II use the word in III legal
tensel maintain Slavery in their States as fnndar
mental institution Of society. They prefer to Dissolve
the Union rather than TO emancipate their slaves.
While of this opinion, they cannot Of course, aede to
any proposition which would delegate TO the General
Government any power of legislation that subject.
This, as Northern men, readily comprehend.
We, the people of the North On the other hand are
profoundly convinced that Slavery politically blum
der and morally crime. While convinced, we
cannot honest men, directly Indirectly consent TO
indorse sustain it. To take any such action through
the Governments Of our own States, through Geu.
eral Government Of which we may form a part, IL i'm
possible. TO return your fugtyes, or % permit the
introduction Of Slavery into the National Territories,
places us in fIse position, degrades MS 10 our own
eyes and violates sense Of right.
Mr.. Stephens how you, or any other honest
Southern man. look at the matter fran our standpoint,
and then ask us to do 70 contemplate an act What
would you ray if we should propose to yon Union
and a Constitution which guaranteed murder polyg-
amy adultery, or nfantcide, esseatidf condition
of tte coaBdctl You would spnn such an alliance.
a. 49, ..t.f,r. va
Slave law and TO guarantee Slavery in the Territories.
Do yon say thatthe cases are not parallel! Perhaps
not. But, while We 40 regard them, what il 20 DO
done7 That the conscience Of the North after thirty
yeas Of dscufson is to-day placed in this dilemma, ID
one Of the hard facts Of the case.
However amentable you may deem our error, as
statesman you cannot ignore this difficulty. II po-
tca alliance between our sections can only be
timed at the sacrfce of honesty and selfrepect on
either side, then can no longer be desirable If the
maintenance Of your Pro.Savery Georgia resolutions
Of 1850 with your extra plank Of instant repeal Of
at Personal Liberty bills by our Northern Legisla-
lures is indeed tue Southern Ultimatum then disso-
luton of the Union il inevitable.
Bu il there not still basis of agreement pOssibe'
Ifyou dissolve our Union, you must bid farewell. %
your fugtyes. The Canada line will move southwark
nothing. You will therefore lose nothing by concedng
20 us in he Union the right to obey convictions of
duty. Cease, then to make the Fugitive Act con-
diiion Of orr partnership.
II you dissolve the Union and divide the present
Territories we shall still grow faster than yourselves.
The tide Of European immigration will still flow in
uIon our shores With the demand for additional
rilory will come supply.
Even the South would scarcely ask the Northern
ton Of the white race 10 halt in it's onward march
oward the Pacific and the Equator Soon we shall
surround you. viii not this be practical prohibition
Of the extension Of Slavery quite eHectua ~ any
Wilmot ProysO
But in Of dissolution, peace and fraternity
will not long be possible. Conflicts will arise. No
arbitramentwill remain; a resort to arms will follow
blood will soon be shed The fault will doubtless be
both sides. Where will this frarcidal conflict end
VIII your beloved Institution be permanent amid
scenes ofcarnage
Family quarres proverbially the most bitter.
To-day, even ultra Abotionsts generally depre.
cate seryile instruction and condemn the movement
while they respect the motives Of John Brown. After
civil contest has awakened the fercest passions il is
TO be feared that we shall be less considerable.
Here, then, is the programme demanded by the sita-
alton of affairs:
A political union between North and South strictly
limited and confined to the province of general and
mutual interests, wherein the rights Of the Southern
States 10 exclusive legislation the subject Of Slavery
within their borders shall be recognized, wherein
the questions Of the rendition of fugtves and the ex-
tension of Slavery shall be decided by the will of the
majority fthe decision be adverse to your prefer
ences.
II such Union Il better than revolution and blood
she'd is pacticabe-nay it already exists. No other
Union is possible. A REPUBLICAN,