Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-06
Richlands, N. c., May 80, 1860.
SPEECH OF COL. LOTTE W. HUMPHREY,
49, AT HIGHLANDS

FELLOW CITIZENS Some anxiety has been mani
tested since my return home to hear what l could
have to say in regard to the adjournment of the
national Democratic convention at Charleston with
out making nomination. To say plainly what
feel would be that have very little inclination to
speak upon that subject; but occupying the position
of a candidate for your sufrages for seat in the
Senate and also a member of the adjourned conven-
ton, perhaps have no right to withhold whatever
sentiments may entertain.
1t is with sincere regret that am unable to re-
port harmony in our deliberations while at Charles
ton. They were very far from being harmonious.
majority of the delegates from eight of the South
ern States-I say majority because many of the
delegates from these States remained dsapproving
the action of the Convention in refusing to adopt
certain proposition, seeded from the convention;
and if the people of their States sustain these seced
ers in the course they have pursued, fear it will
result in great calamity to the nation. do not
think that they had good and sufficient cause for
refusing to remain with us in convention, and, while
very many of those who left us were governed by
motives the most patriotic cannot but regard the
leaders of that movement as neither friends to the
Democratic party nor to the Union.
hold in my hand paper containing letter,
written by the distinguished leader of that move
ment the temper of which, taken in connection
with his at Charleston, ustifies me in my con-
illusions. 1t is from the Hon. William L. Yancey,
of Alabama, and / will read it:
MONTGOMERY, June 10, 1858.
DEAR SIR Your kind favor of the 18th is re-
ceived.
hardly agree with you that general movement
can be made that will clear out the Augean stable.
If the Democracy were overthrown, it would result
in giving place to greater and hungrier swarm of
flies.
The remedy of the South is not in such process
1t is in dgent organization of her true men for
prompt resistance to the next aggression. 1t must
in the nature of things. No national party can
save us; no sectional party ever do it. But if
we could do as fathers did-organize commit
tees of safety" all the cotton States land it is
only in them that We can hope for any effective
movement(-we shall fire the Southern heart, in
struct the Southern mind give courage to each 9TH
concerted action precpitate the cotton States
into revolution.
The idea has been Swallowed forth in the South
by Mr.. Rufin; has been taken up and recommend
ed in the Adrertiser, (the Montgomery organ of
Mr.. Yancey.) under the name of League of United
Southerners' who keeping up their old party rela-
lions, will hold the Southern issue paramount and will
influence parties, legislatures, and statesmen. l
have no time to enlarge, but to suggest merely.
In hasts, yours, &c,
W. L. YANCEY.
To JAS S. Slaughter, ESQ.,"
Now, fellowcitizens, have no confidence in that
Democrat whatever may be his protestations, who
would speak of his own party as "a great and hun
CRY swarm of flies" I should most deeply distrust
the fidelity to the South and to the Union of that
man who could coolly plan movement to "precip-
itGte the cotton States into revolution" And for
his services in clearing out the Augean stable"
who knows but what he may expect that share
which was promised to Hercules? To my mind it
smacks of
Treason, stratagem and spoils.'
have sympathy whatever with any move
ment the object of which is to array one section of
our country against the other claim to be one of
the people who feel interest in the prosperity of
the country, and who deprecate any attempt to de-
stroy the Union, come from whatever quarter it
may. We all have an interest in this matter: we
are all to be affected or less if dissolution of
the Union be brought about; it will reach and af
feet every mans home; the most of us are inter-
csted directly in land and negro property the value
of both of which, in this region of the country had
been enhanced within the last few years at least
twenty-five per cent, and up to the meeting of the
Charleston Convention were that much higher than
they have ever been since the formation of the
government Ought we not to be satisfied in doing
so well? Were we not more prosperous and happy
than at any former period of our history? Should
we not be satisfied with that government under
which we live in its onward march to greatness
Ave fellow-citizens, feel-we all feel-a great
,yeneration for the Union! My dsinclination to
speak upon this subject did not proceed because
am wanting in that feeling Of loyalty to the Union
which every good citizen so readily Yields; it did
not proceed because am wanting in jealous re-
gard for the honor of the South; nor because am
Wanting in love and devotion to North-Carolina.
Far from IT, SO far from it there is no one who
hears me there is no one upon the face of the green
earth who has 40 more capacity than ], that loves
his country more than I do; and in that degree
with which / am bound by birth and education 10
North Carolina; in that degree with which honor
the nosition the South has always maintained; in
that DECREE With which love and venerate the
union b these States; in that same degree do
feel an interest and solictude for the success Of the
Democratic party in the next election because with
the success of that party, IN my OPINION aepenas
- NI:...4;or, Of annal rights under the Constr